Make a balloon rocket for your next science fair project using your own air as the energy.

Here are the materials you need to get to complete this project:

• Fishing line about 30-50 ft.
• A bag of various size balloons. You can get these at a dollar store
• A straw
• Tape
• 2 chairs or something you can tie the fishing line to such as two poles about 10 to 15 ft apart from each other

The instructions for this project are pretty simple but they show a great deal of physics and energy.

Take one of your balloons and blow it up. Do not tie it but pinch off the end and while it is blown up tape the straw to the side of the balloon. You will probably want to secure it in several places to make sure it will stay.

Let the air out of the balloon slowly. You do not want to make the straw fall off.

Now place your chairs with the backs facing each other about 10 to 15 feet apart.

Thread the fishing line through the straw and then take the monofilament thread and tie it around the back of the chairs. You will want this to be very tight so the line does not sag. You may also want to tie a knot that you can easily untie and retie again and again. Now you will want to make sure there is your balloon with a loop of fishing line wrapped around two chairs or poles.

Blow up the balloon and pinch the end again so no air escapes. If you have a balloon pump this works wonders. You can also get these at a local dollar store. They usually come in a package with long skinny balloons to make shaped animals. Pull your balloon rocket to one side of a chair. The end you are pinching closed should be closest to the chair.

Release your fingers and watch your balloon rocket to the other side.

How far did your balloon travel?

You will want to graph this on paper. Measure the length the balloon traveled. Now get a different size balloon and do the same thing. You will want to test different size and shape balloons to see if a certain size or shape is more effective at propelling the rocket farther.

Also you will want to try only blowing the balloon up half full and see what that does.

So how can you explain this as a science project? This is physics. The law states with every action there is an opposite reaction. So the air releasing from one end forcefully cause an opposite reaction by pushing the balloon matter the different direction. Your air blown into the balloon was energy to fuel the rocket. When you opened your fingers that stored energy was released and was able to move the balloon.

Get more great science project ideas at http://scienceprojects.fetching.us

Lesa Bolt is a contributor to science projects

Your a high school athlete and you made the decision that you want to play the sport you love in college. You have big game and big grades and you’re looking for ways to promote yourself to college coaches, realizing you need to be seen to be offered a scholarship.

Let me first suggest that a video can do more for you than a coach or scout watching you in person in some cases. It’s all about the content and not so much about an expensive professionally done video.

The opening should be some text giving vital information such as your name, your high school, if the video is a championship game, your GPA, your SAT or ACT and your clearinghouse number. The next thing on the video is a brief intro by you in uniform of no more then 20 seconds. The intro should show you friendly and smiling saying something catchy to set you apart and get the coaches attention. The next thing is a brief recommendation from you coach of no more then 30 seconds. The comments from your coach are HUGH, because a college coach will always want an assessment from you high school coach. The content of what your coach expresses to a college coach could make or break a deal. The next thing you want to include is some game highlights. Several clips of you at your very best. The next thing you want is two full games. This is vital in sports like football, basketball and soccer or any team sport for that matter. The closing is the last chance you have to get pertinent info in front of a college coach. I suggest you include your name again, email address, and your phone number. If you do a good in getting all this info on your promo video a college coach will have all the info he or she needs to offer you a scholarship.

You have a great video and now you are ready for it’s distribution. WARNING! Do not just choose a bunch of schools to send video to, and here is why. You first must contact a college coach and let them know you are interested in attending that college. There are some things you need to be aware of when considering sending video out. You need to know that coaches team has a need at the position you play and is recruiting to fill that need. If there is no need, you just wasted time and money sending your video to that particular school. After talking with many college coaches over many years I have been told more than once that videos get cataloged on if a coach requested the athletes video or not. In other words they have a list of names with reference numbers attached and if your name is not on the list your video never gets looked at. You have to understand that all college coaches are on information overload. Don’t forget to put label on outside or video or DVD. The last thing is make sure you are contacting coaches at the level you can play at. Don’t waste your time sending to D1 if you are not sure you are a D1 prospect. Get an athletic assessment from you high school coach.

Authored by: Tony Passarella Regional Scouting Director for Collegiate Sports of America.
http://www.csaprepstar.com
http://www.yourrecruitingcoach.com
tjpassarella@yahoo.com
818-517-8822

Providing good education is a dream that every parent likes to cherish for his child. However, in this era, a good education comes at a fairly high price that an average parent finds it difficult to bear.

At this juncture, US citizens have the opportunity to knock at the doors of the federal government for help. With the objective of providing right education to children and making it affordable, the US federal government has introduced a variety of financial aid programs that can be availed both by students and parents.

There are different ways of raising money for the purpose of education. Some of these include scholarships, work-study programs, family contributions and educational loans. Among these student loans are the most preferred ones. The advantage of a student loan is that the repayment period starts after the student completes his graduation. Apart from that, these loans are provided at lower interest rates and have convenient repayment terms. The interest rate on student loans is not charged till the repayment starts. There are two important types of student loans provided by the US federal government. These include the Perkins Loans and Stafford Loans. In case of a Perkins Loan, the school itself acts as a lender. In case of a Stafford Loan, funds are provided by the banks and other lending agencies that have been approved by the federal government.

The foremost requirement for a federal student loan is to qualify through the FAFSA. Apart from this, there are also federal loans available for parents. One example is the Parent Loan to Undergraduate Students or the PLUS.

One can consult a financial aid officer inside the school campus to have a better understanding about different types of student loans available.

About Author: Pauline Go is an online leading expert in finance industry. She also offers top quality financial tips to investor like:

Refinance Car Loan People with Bad Credit,
How To Calculate Credit Score and How To Get Out Of Debt

Open and Distance Learning is a way of learning that focus on releasing learners from constraints of time and place whilst offering flexible learning opportunities. For a lot of married and working adults, Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is a way of combining work and family responsibilities with educational opportunities.

The first challenge faced by online distance learners is in balancing the combination of work and education. Most of the Open and Distance education students are older, have jobs and families. Job responsibility is already intimidating, let alone the family and the learning. The task of balancing all of the above responsibility is truly challenging for most of them.

The second issue is in acquiring go online distance study habits. The students’ everyday environment is very distracting for most of the students. Unlike traditional university students who are always in their learning community which supports them most of the time, online distance students are not. Distractions such as friends asking for night supper and wife demanding to go shopping at the mall every weekend are among other distractions faced by students. Acquiring some time in a day to study is quite a hard task to complete.

Online distance learners also have a hard time in being independent and responsible to their own self. Most of the time, there is no one around to monitor the students learning process. The openness of the online distance program gives students the freedom to do their learning process whenever they like but most of the time, procrastination is the culprit. Unfocused view of their learning goals also will make the students act irresponsibly towards their learning.

Online distance learners also face problems in recognizing and mastering strengths and skills. In online distance learning, technology is the main conduit which information and communication flow. A computer with internet access is usually needed for this process and its application will need the user to master certain level of acquirement. The students will also need to have some basic writing skills and a go online distance command of English language. Unfortunately, not all of the students possess the above-said skills.

The fifth challenge is in motivating themselves as well as maintaining and increasing self-esteem. In online distance education, learners are usually isolated from peers and tutors. The motivational factors are absent due to lack of contact and competition with other students. The lacks of immediate support of a teacher who is able to motivate will also affects the learners. In the long run, students might feel uneasy with their teacher and uncomfortable with their learning situation and environment.

Online distance learners also face some problems in relating and interacting with peers. Most of the time, learners will learn most effectively when they have the opportunity to interact with other students. Sadly, forming of the study group is not easy. This is caused by the difference in the usage of time between students. One particular student may have some free time for meeting with peers at 10am every Saturday, but another student who works in the government sector may still be at work at the exact time.

The next one is in coping with distance learning strategies apart from printed material package the students are familiar with. There might be audio/video tape material, television-aided learning, overhead projectors, computer referencing and computer-assisted instruction using the internet. Some students might feel uncomfortable with these learning strategies due to lack of skills and knowledge in using those strategies.

The second last challenge is in preparing for and taking examinations. In order to excel in examination, learners have to start early in understanding the course content and preparing and revising the content. However, not all students do start early in their learning process. Do not have enough time, lazy, too many works to be done are among other reasons given by this type of students in order to avoid studying for exams.

The final challenge faced by online distance learners is in using library facilities to access information and references. Most of the library only opens during office hour and the learners would not be able to go to the library during office hour due to demanding works at the office. This will definitely cause problems to students who want to gain access to the reference material. Library database program such as the OPAC will also require the students to have proper training and skills in order to maximize the usage.

The Open and Distance Learning courses are very different from a traditional classroom setting. Due to a number of challenges and obstacles, it often requires a high degree of commitment on the part of the learner.

In order to overcome these online distance challenges, learners must first plan and manage themselves effectively in order to balancing work, family and study. They have to apply smart time management. Avoiding procrastinating is a must. They must be more responsible and have a focused view towards learning. They must also learn to improve themselves in areas they are lacking (such as writing skills, note taking skills, computer skills and English language skills) because not all skills will be taught by the tutor. They need to motivate their own self by setting achievable goals and have a positive attitude. Due to lack of meeting time with peers, they have to make an effort to interact with peers and tutors frequently.

Mathew Simond is a journalist and copywriter. He is also a webmaster of many websites including http://www.psychologycolleges.net and http://www.religiousstudiesonline.org He aims to provide healthy information and advice on academic degrees.

So you’re busy working toward that next promotion, but you know the boss is seeking someone with a graduate degree in hand. But quitting your job so you can go back to college full time is out of the question; you’ve got bills to pay and a family to feed - you need the money.

If you have access to a computer, a phone line and a modem, you may be closer than you think to that master’s degree. Welcome to the world of virtual education, or as those not so technically savvy call it, distance learning. With more dotcom sites than ever popping up on the Internet, colleges and universities are jumping at the chance to get their share of the action.
According to a 1999 U.S. News and World Report, the number of accredited two- and four-year institutions with distance learning programs large enough to merit administrators has jumped 127 percent to 682 schools since 1994. A third of all colleges, including Harvard and Stanford, offer some form of distance learning.

Online instruction varies from one degree program to the next. Some classrooms are constructed through message boards, while other instructors prefer the use of videotaped lectures or teleconferencing. So without leaving the comfort of your living room, you could be on the path to earning a degree. But unfortunately, for many unsuspecting students there are plenty of shams in the world of virtual education.

According to Vicky Phillips, a distance education counselor who publishes the Virtual University Gazette, the key to finding a reputable online college is accreditation. Accreditation, explained Phillips, is important if you hope to have a public record of your learning that will be widely accepted.

If you find the college of your choice doesn’t offer online degrees, don’t give up pursuing an education from that school. Many colleges and universities offer virtual certification programs which let students earn certificates through distance learning. For example, students can receive a certificate in systems engineering and apply the credits toward a master of engineering degree.

Mathew Simond is a journalist and copywriter. He is also a webmaster of many websites including http://www.paralegal-degree.org and http://www.humanservicesdegree.net He aims to provide healthy information and advice on academic degrees.

Kindergarten teachers can easily spot children who have been read to. They are the ones who can hold a book properly, turn the pages working front to back, and who are aware of the directional flow of words. Summer reading offers a perfect opportunity for parents to facilitate many pre-literacy skills needed for school. By following a few simple steps, parents can make summer reading a stepping stone for literacy success in kindergarten and beyond.

The first step is book selection. Children love to go to the library, and this makes for a cool summer outing, literally. Escort your child to the “early readers” and let him choose some books of interest. You certainly want your child to be excited about what he’s reading! If you have any trouble finding books on a particular topic, the children’s librarian is typically happy to offer guidance.

The next step is to make reading time a fun, interactive experience while simultaneously encouraging vocabulary growth, language growth, and comprehension. This can be accomplished by first asking your child to look at the illustrations on the front and back of the book and then to describe what she thinks it is about. Continue with a “picture walk through” wherein you and your child take turns discussing what you see on each page and how the characters may be feeling. As you read, talk about any words she may not be familiar with. Before turning from one page to the next, sometimes ask her what she thinks may happen next. During all the above interactions, expand on what she says, using more complex language forms. For example, if she says, “The dog is here,” you can then say, “Yes, the dog is sitting and waiting for his bone.” Finally, revise your child’s language when grammatical errors are made. These storybook-reading interactions go beyond simply reading words on a page and allow your child to increase her vocabulary, expand her knowledge of language, and employ critical thinking skills. All are important foundations to early literacy success.

The last step for summer reading is optional, but may prove to be invaluable to your child as he approaches his kindergarten year. In addition to his book choices, consider sprinkling in books that have a theme of cooperation, fairness, sharing, respect, or compassion, to name a few. An assortment can be found by searching under “themed books for preschoolers” on the Internet. These books can provide you with a forum to discuss with your child attributes needed to develop positive relationships with teachers and peers. Look at it as addressing a new and critical R for school–Relationship building!

Summer reading with your preschooler can be a great source of enjoyment that presents opportunities for growth in literacy as well. With a little planning, it can also contribute to preparing your child socially for the demands of school. As the days grow longer, take time to pour over a few books with your child, and in the process get her on an early tract toward success in kindergarten.

Natacha Moreno is a licensed speech-language pathologist and author of the dvd, “Preparing for Kindergarten: A Parent’s Guide.” She is co-owner of Best Life Videos, a company specializing in videos geared toward helping parents be parents. For more information about her dvds or to contact Natacha, please visit http://www.bestlifevideos.com

Preschool is an excellent time to introduce children to the concepts of the calendar, days of the week and months of the year, and what better way to learn about these concepts than through games and activities! The most common and simple of these preschool calendar activities is to chart the month’s progress on a large paper calendar posted on the wall.

At the beginning of every month, gather everyone around the large paper calendar on the wall to label it with the important days of the month, such as any special holidays or birthdays occurring within the month. At the end of the day, one special child gets the important job of crossing the day off to get ready for the next day. This can be a reward for cleaning up fastest after a craft, winning a game, or anything else that seems fit.

“Just another Manic Monday…”

Other preschool calendar activities can focus on learning the days of the week. For example, designate one special activity, game, or song for each day of the week. This will help children get accustomed to a routine, which in turn helps them to learn about the weekly routines that will prevail throughout the remainder of their lives. These activities can change monthly so that children don’t get too bored with them.

Lesser-Known Celebrations

The calendar can also serve as a skeletal structure for the preschool curriculum, since it’s easiest to teach concepts to children when they are happening all around them. After all, it wouldn’t really make much sense to teach kids about Christmas in the middle of spring, would it? Sometimes it can be fun to partake in preschool calendar activities to learn about some of the lesser-known celebrations of each month. This way, children are exposed to more than just the usual “Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter” triumvirate of holiday celebrations.

For example, more preschools are learning about February as Black History Month. However, February is also Library Lovers Month, Children’s Dental Month, and National Hobby Month. All three of these themes can provide a wealth of fun activities and games for preschoolers.

For example, Library Lovers Month can be celebrated with a special field trip to the school or local public library to meet the children’s librarian and for a storytelling afternoon. In Children’s Dental Month, the focus can be on proper oral hygiene by learning the proper ways to brush and floss. This could include a visit from a dentist, if possible. National Hobby Month gives children the chance to bring in an item that showcases one of their hobbies and present it to the class in a show-and-tell format.

When looking for celebrations or holidays from the calendar to bring into the classroom for preschool calendar activities, the emphasis should be on fun and enrichment to the curriculum in general. Though some holidays may seem downright silly, they’re still a great opportunity to learn new things about the calendar.

Did you know that the 4th Thursday of January is known as “Clashing Clothes Day”? Challenge the kids to come to class in their most clashing outfits as a way of learning about opposites and things that just don’t match.

Mary Robinson has been teaching preschool for well over a decade. You can get instant access to her preschool activities, crafts, and lesson plans by visiting her website:

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com

For a limited time, all visitors to Mary’s site will also get a free copy of her special report: “The 7 Biggest Mistakes Preschool Teachers and Parents Make”. Go get your free copy today!

When it comes to finding funding for college the answer may be as close as your back yard. Everyone considers federal government sources of aid to make their college dreams come true but overlook what their state has to offer. State financial aid sources exist to help students who are reaching for a higher level of education. Here is some information to point you in this possibly lucrative direction.

Start with your high school guidance counselor. Any information about grants, scholarships, loans, and other programs offered by the state will be funneled through their office. Make an appointment to talk with them and gather as much information as you can on the options available.

Contact your state educational office. Every state has one. If they have a website, visit and see what they can tell you. States are ready to help students, especially if they plan on attending a state school.

Ask the state educational office for a financial aid handbook. Any scholarships, loans, and grants that are provided by the state can be found in the pages of that book. Study it carefully. Apply for all of the programs that even remotely apply to you, your situation, and your skills.

Scholarship monies are available for attending a state school. A state college or university may not be your first choice, but don’t count them out. One distinct advantage of a state-supported school is the cost. The average cost per year could be half that of a private college or university in another state.

States set aside money for students pursuing certain fields of study at college. The funds encourage students to stay within state to receive their education. This doesn’t mean that you have to attend the same college for all four years. If you truly want to study elsewhere, you can transfer after the first year or two, but understand that these funds more than likely will not follow you to your new school.

Counties issue grants based on their need for graduates to pursue a specific discipline. Teachers and nurses are in high demand. Areas where there is a significant shortage offer students the chance to go to college for little or nothing in return for a certain number of years of service in the needy area.

States provide grant money for minority students. These grants give money to qualified students based on race, religion, and sex. If you fall into one of these categories, apply for the grant and get the money you need for college.

The best thing about grant money is that it does not have to be paid back. It is important to check with the grant foundation on the renewal particulars of the grant. You don’t want to miss out on money in subsequent years because of a failure to renew the grant.

Local businesses and civic organizations offer scholarships for students planning on attending college. For some of these scholarships, students are chosen based on their academic record in high school. Other ones require an application to be filled out for consideration.

Banks in your state may offer college loans for parents and/or students. The loans supplement any costs that are not covered from other financial aid sources. Loans should always be a last resort when considering all forms of aid, but they are available if you need them.

Another avenue of inquiry is the financial aid office of a state college. After deciding to attend a state school visit or call their financial aid office to learn about any state grants or scholarships that are available on their campus. The state government or corporations may partner with state-funded schools or private colleges to offer money to students in need.

With all of the state sources that you find, be mindful of application deadlines. Many of the deadlines will be around the same time so staying organized is a must to get all of the information in on time. Late applications will not be considered.

State financial aid sources do exist. Check with state educational offices and your high school guidance counselor for more information.

Find out where to locate money for college in the form of scholarships, grants, fellowships, and student loans. Mark B. Allen knows where to get money for college he is an expert writing a regular column for Financial Aid Finder. The topics Allen covers include state government aid programs, 529 College Savings Plans and fellowships, and federal student loans. Financial Aid Finder is an expert source of information for high school and college students who need help filling out forms, advice on using their financial aid counselors, and assistance locating money for tuition and books.

Introduction

Nursing is a well respected and noble profession. Candidates undergo the long and arduous test of nursing school, gain experience through trained professionals, and must constantly learn of new developments in the field while nurturing patients and vigilantly watching their health. Nursing appears to grant those working in the field a job that is both challenging and rewarding. So, where are all the males in the profession?

Men in the profession

The proportion of men to women nurses remains to be very unbalanced. In 1980, 2.7% of RNs were men and that percent rose to only 5.4% by 2000. The medical field has seen the increase in women doctors, yet the number of male nurses does not come close to that of women.

This was not always the case. Up until the 20th century, more than half of the people providing nursing services to the ill and injured were male. A dramatic shift occurred during the course of the early 20th century making the percentage of male RNs to be below 1% by the 1930s.

Flawed perceptions

Many laypeople and those with experience in the field attribute the lack of men in the field to the public image and misconceptions of being a nurse. Billboards, commercials, textbooks, and the gender of nursing teachers all aid in promoting “feminine” image. Add fallacies about salaries, poor working conditions, and a limited amount of male role models, and we begin to see where the root of the diversion lies. The lexicon even seems to ameliorate the lopsidedness: A women is referred to as a “nurse,” but a man is a “male nurse.”

A new image?

The answer may be to reconstruct the image of a “nurse.” People view nurses as caring, nurturing, and sensitive. These are exceptional attributes, but are generally referred to as being feminine. Some suggest altering the public perception with advertisements and suggestions that nursing is challenging, action-oriented, and fast-paced.

Still, others suggest that the compassionate, sensitive, and caring traits should be embraced by all people and not be misconstrued to describe one gender. Proponents believe it does take a certain person to become a nurse, but developing and exhibiting the nurturing side of one’s personality should not deter men from the field. Some feel these characteristics are “positive” and to be revered, and not stereotyped as being “feminine.”

Conclusion

Nurses (women and men alike) state nursing affords them a flexible schedule, good pay and benefits, job security, and an intrinsically rewarding feeling that you can not place a price upon. Those in the field believe that projecting all of the positive aspects of being a nurse should be more than enough to attract all people to the profession. Education and training to become a nurse is now more convenient than ever with classes available online. It is not the profession that needs to change, but the outside perception of how important and noble the position is for everyone.

With over 25 years of experience in the Nursing Education field, Western Schools has now sold over 1 million ANCC accredited courses to nursing students across America. All courses are held up to strict, professional standards.

Introduction

Are you a person who is educationally driven? Do you enjoy being challenged and constantly helping others? If you answered in the affirmative to these questions, then becoming a nurse practitioner may be a great career option for you.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) provide individualized health care to those that may not otherwise be able to afford proficient medical attention. Nurse Practitioners are most needed in locales where economic levels do not meet the normal standards, yet medical attention is required as much as anywhere else. One of the more rewarding aspects of being a NP is the close, individualized relationship fostered with patients and their families.

Making a difference

The more-closely-involved relationships NPs have with patients result in fewer prescription needs, less expensive treatments, and more options for patients. NPs edify patients and their families about life behaviors and self-care skills in order for them to live healthier lives which will not warrant many hospital and office visits. Patients range from the young to the elderly with the most prevalent work encompassing pediatrics, family practice, women’s health, and gerontology (elderly care).

Nurse Practitioners are as qualified to treat patients as physicians. It is very common for NPs to have close working relationships with doctors in providing referrals depending on patient’s needs. In fact, NPs job requirements are very closely tied to that of doctors in treating illnesses, injuries, infections, diagnosing, and inspecting medical histories. NPs often give X-rays, lab tests, and EKGs as well as implementing rehabilitation and physical therapy treatments. In most states, Nurse Practitioners can prescribe medication.

How it’s done

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner is possible by getting a Master’s Degree online. Doing coursework online enables one to still keep the commitments of job and family while dedicating time to school when it is most convenient. Online students have access to counselors, forums, and others in their situation to provide guidance and supplement information.

The need for nurses of all fields is constantly increasing and the ability to educate oneself has never been more diversified and convenient. Becoming a Nurse Practitioner is an excellent professional decision for those who enjoy making a difference, continuously learning, and serving humanity.

With over 25 years of experience in the Nursing Education field, Western Schools has now sold over 1 million ANCC accredited courses to nursing students across America. All courses are held up to strict, professional standards.