Texas Educational Seismic Project

Is there a one-size-fits-all seismograph? TXESP is continuing to compare the detection similarities and interpretation differences between the EQ1 and Raspberry Shake seismographs.  The dynamic Earth has provided several recent seismic events for us to study at our Station in Spring, TX:  Columbia, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Alaska.  We continue to see a moderate to strong correlation of wave phase arrival times between the two instruments…but is this because we are biasing our data set to earthquakes with magnitudes greater than M=5.0?  See the comparisons in the images, below.

Please consider giving to “Cultivating Citizen Scientists” program; we purchase educational seismic instruments, mineral specimens, and provide onsite curriculum development with our Professional Scientists and Science Education team members.  Each donation is tax-deductible as TXESP is a 501-c3 Non Profit, designated Public Charity.

Images comparing and summarizing the recent, moderate-to-large earthquakes in Columbia, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Alaska.

Science Stands! Though funding and public trust may waiver, Science continues to stand strong over the centuries.  Texas Educational Seismic Project’s mission it to facilitate STEM learning by using seismology as an exciting tool!  You can find us teaching at local schools, reaching rural students thru video conferences, large AND small community events, and at National Conferences – with much gratitude, we send you the same message – THANK YOU!

Please consider giving to “Cultivating Citizen Scientists” program; we purchase educational seismic instruments, mineral specimens, and provide onsite curriculum development with our Professional Scientists and Science Education team members.  Each donation is tax-deductible as TXESP is a 501-c3 Non Profit, designated Public Charity.

A collection of thank you notes, ID badges and certificates from STEM events that TXESP has been a proud participant!

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Please consider giving to “Cultivating Citizen Scientists” program; we purchase educational seismic instruments, mineral specimens, and provide onsite curriculum development with our Professional Scientists and Science Education team members.  Each donation is tax-deductible as TXESP is a 501-c3 Non Profit, designated Public Charity.

It’s all about the right filter…. have you seen #photographs that look fuzzy? or are too bright? too dark?  Today’s computer applications allow us to remove red eyes, sharpen up fuzzy images, “fix” brightness and darkness… these applications use of #filters to create a better photograph.  We can apply filters to recorded seismic data and create higher quality #seismograms of the Earth’s ground motion.  Review the 3 images below; each image has had a different filter and amplitude enhancement applied to it.  Which seismogram shows the best representation of the highlighted  #earthquake?  What amplitude and filter was applied?  How is each filter changing the image?  Is it better to change the seismogram’s amplitude or frequency content? Why?

A magnitude M5.5 Peruvian earthquake, recorded Station E1TX, is highlighted in yellow.

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We found treasure!  TXESP was honored to participate as a ‘career panelist’ and as a booth host at Klein ISD’s 3rd Annual STEM GEMS event at Klein Cain High School in Klein (Houston suburb), Texas. Discussing geophysics always garners a crowd, but it was at our explorer’s booth where we had a blast!  Students and parents competed to engineer a toothpick structure to withstand shaking from an ‘earthquake’.  TXESP’s shakeboard tried to slide, tilt or crumble the innovative toothpick structures in the competition.  We used gummy bears, miniature marshmallows, squares of rice krispies, and jelly beans to hold the toothpicks together – it was sticky but SO MUCH fun!  The goal of the hands-on activity is to understand what structural characteristics yielded the most stable “building” during the earthquake.  Best part – you can EAT IT TOO!

PS – we think it was fate that our booth was set up next to the “INSPIRE” wall – can you see it in the pictures?

Which building materials do you think were most stable??

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Want to join the fun? Contact us HERE —>>>  https://txesp.wordpress.com/contact-us/

On March 7th , 2019, the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex’s DeSoto ISD Education Foundation presented “DeSoto ISD Super Science Family Night Expo”! Every grade level from PreK to 12th participated as presenters and garnered crowds with their hands-on scientific experiments and activities. Parents and community friends attended and, from the video, looked to have a great time. Guest presenters also attended to expand science beyond classroom learnings.  This opportunity to showcases what
is available in DeSoto ISD to supplement learning experiences that take place within their classrooms.  WAY TO GO DESOTO!

See what the buzzzzzz is all about >>>> https://youtu.be/H1Fart40QEM

Video courtesy of Kory Anderson

TXESP had the grand opportunity to spend time with #WillardIntermediateSchool students in Willard, MO a few weeks ago.  We spent time asking questions and sharing information about what type of science a Geophysicist does in the “real world”.  This program, #SkypeWithAScientist, is just one element of TXESP’s program to reach beyond our local community and help rural communities with limited opportunities to reach STEM Professionals.  It is a humbling and intriguing experience – we very much enjoyed our time with Ms. Rasco’s classes (@WISWillard).

Your generous financial support facilitates our #scienceeducational programs and ongoing solid earth geophysics >>> CLICK HERE!

Last week I completed my first round of “Ready To Learn” training with Twin Cities Public Television (TPT).  Along with the other participants, we were honored to be selected as the pilot group of Trainers for TPT’s new science education project – Hero Elementary!  Hero Elementary is an expansive educational media initiative focused on improving school readiness in science and literacy for children grades K-2 nationwide, with an emphasis on Latino communities, English Language Learners, youth with disabilities, and children from low-income households.  Hero Elementary’s transmedia universe integrates science and literacy to ignite children’s natural curiosity and broaden their understanding of how the world works and empower them to make a positive difference in their communities. All materials are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.

Kids are going to really embrace this new structure of science digital learning, and I am very proud to be part of that team!  It will be released soon… 2020 is the set launch date – and you are going to be amazed and intrigued!

Would you like to partner with TPT and be the first to implement Hero Elementary at your informal educational organization/program??  Learn more HERE >> https://www.tpt.org/hero-elementary/

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Your generous financial support facilitates our #scienceeducational programs and ongoing solid earth geophysics >>> CLICK HERE!