Nearly every day I notice this telegraph pole leaning rather precariously in Figtree. I wonder if it will ever topple over? Are they still called telegraph poles? I think they no longer carry telegraph wires.

While driving home last night I spotted this a fountain of water where one should not be. I proposed to hetho and dobbo that we should investigate and I captured the photograph and movie. It was soon stopped by Sydney Water.

Last Monday I attended a staff development day in Jamberoo. There was creek running alongside the property. It was quite pleasant. It was simply relaxing to sit there and to watch the water flow down the creek.

I was in the Cave at school today and chanced upon my colleague Rick who was in a video chat with Jeff at St John’s. Jeff was making inquiries about downloading video from YouTube. You know, have you ever chanced upon a video hosted on YouTube or even TeacherTube that you thould would be useful as an icebreaker for a lesson or an excellent example of a scientific principle? Then you wish to download it for later use? Well, here are two solutions:

1. A quick search on Google unearthed TubeSock. A nice piece of software. It is not free but it is excellent.

My friend Siva from Singapore entered the iChat conversation and I shared with him our dilemma and he fired this suggestion at me:

2. Firefox browser add-on: Video Downloader 1.1.1.

3. As above, alternative URL for Video Downloader 1.1.1.

Enjoy!

Archimedes’ Laboratory had a range of mind and visual puzzles that science and mathematics teachers should find quite useful. There is a rich array of materials covering topics from geometry to optical illusions. Inspire your students, ignite conversations and get them thinking.