Flashy demos

We took some time out from the 'questions' format because I had some demonstrations I just had to share.
We modelled the solar system to scale. Well, mostly. We could not fit all the planets on premises. With the sun represented by a basketball, and Mercury a pinhead, we started measuring off how far away everything orbited. Our solar system began with the sun (in the classroom). At this scale, the earth (represented by an unpopped popcorn kernel) lands near the garden, and Mars is over the fence (Neptune is close to South 1st Street).

The rest of the solar system is empty space.

Also, due to [ name omitted for internet privacy ]'s question last week about crab gills, I brought in a live Dungeness crab from Central Market. My goodness: I didn't realize how loud some of the girls can scream. In the end everybody was willing to take a close look at the animal, and count its legs.

It has come to my attention that some of your children are arriving at class with a better preparation in general sciences than many college sophomores.
You know who you are.
Keep it up. I'll keep running, to remain a step ahead as long as possible.