Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:06PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Hi all, time check

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:06PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Anyone lurking for the LFM chat?

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:09PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Lucy(Iowa) Thurs., Sept. 26 5:04 pm Central Daylight Time. I
thought I'd try a web chat for the first time and see if I'm 
successful.
Is anyone out there I can chat with?

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:15PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Hi Lucy, I'm in London, ONtario. Are you involved with LFM?

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:16PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Gayle, Hi, I'm Lucy. I live in Iowa and am involved in a Live From
Mars project. Are you involved too?

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:18PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Hi Gayle, Yes, I am involved in LFM. Did you participate in the
virtual conference in July or how did you get involved? I went to the
Washington DC conference in July. It was great.

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:18PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Lucy, I'm a Smart filter
(http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/helpers-form-intro.pl) for LFM
and have k-2 kids.

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:19PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
You are sooooo lucky, unfortunately I couldn't afford to go and I
had a wedding of a good friend that day. But I've been reading up
on the archives. It sounds super.

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:20PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Gayle, I just met another Smart filter. I think her name is Barb.
What exactly is a Smart filter?

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:20PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
I'm looking forward to the "kit" and the CD from the conference
too.

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:21PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
We help filter the questions from the students to the experts. Check
out http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/helpers-form-intro.pl 

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:22PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
How are you participating?

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:23PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Marc said he had an appointment but would try to get back for this
chat.

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:24PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
So I am a 6th grade teacher and looking forward to the live
broadcasts. But I found out from Jan Wee that there probably won't
be any live questions and in IA we have the capability to ask live
questions via our fiber obtics network. We might not be able to do
that so I guess I need to know about how to send and receive
questions. I guess I never learned that part.

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:31PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Sorry I took so long, it's at:
http://passporttoknowledge.com/lfm/ask/question.html

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:32PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
It's too bad that they won't be doing live questions. Did Jan say
why?

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:33PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
I was involved in a Mars Base project with a fellow Iowan who
hooked us up to scientists and engineers from the Johnson Space
Center who gave us information about Mars but not about the Global
Surveryor or the Pathfinder. During the broadcast students were
given an opportunity to ask one question per school. It was all
prearranged, but they got to ask their question live. Then we
research Mars and followed Mars materials created by Jim
Christensen and planned designed and made a model of a Mars
Base. Then we used our ICN (fiber optics system) to allow the
students to share their projects with other students at remote sites 
in
Iowa. That's why I was interested in Live From Mars. 

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:35PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Wow! that's super, it sounds like you're really having fun. What do
the kids think?

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:38PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Jan said that the discussion at a break out group in Washington has
discussed the problems with Live from Mars. I happened to be at
that session. I guess the problem is that few students got their
questions answered live and that it took up too much time to try to
answer all of them live. I can understand that, but it seems if there
were some kind of protocol maybe we could allow some live
questions for those who have the capability and answer e-mail etc.
through the q & a service. She said she'd talk to the people in charge
of logistics etc. I'm glad I don't have that job. 

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:39PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Hello Folks I am late getting back from the dentist (sympathy
please). I'm going to catch up on the past messages

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:41PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
I decided to have a year long theme of Mars so I am integrating into
all of my curriculum whenever I can. Our culminating projects will
be in the spring, the Mars Base Project and hopefully the Red Rover
Red Rover Project. I'm trying to get funding for Red Rover. Wish
me luck.

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:42PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
If you're kids are interested I have a connection with a gentleman
who is "a retired Electromagnetics Engineer that did the lightning
protection on the 777. Spent a couple years in Antarctica almost 40
years ago. If any of your children have questions about engineering,
antennas, LOGO programming, Antarctica, whatever you know my
E-Mail address. Dale Dale R. Reed dale-reed@worldnet.att.net
Seattle, WA USA 

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:43PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Marc, My favorite time at the dentist was when he told me to bite
down and I did. Guess what. His finger was there and I bit down on
it really hard. It really was an accident and I apologized profusely,
but deep down inside I smiled. Is that wicked or what?

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:45PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Hi Lucy, Hi Gayle, About live questions during the broadcasts. I
believe that we will be accepting questions over the net (email and
webchat(, but we won't be atempting to bring in more schools via
TV signals. The reasoning is that only a very few students get to
participate, and it makes the overall broadcast more chaotic and 
less
focused

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:45PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Hi Marc, (the violins in the background are for you :D) glad to have
you back - in one piece???. Just think how lucky you are that this
isn't CU-SeeMe - I hate it when I'm frozen and have to be seen. The
last time I went it took an hour to freeze me and then the dentist
didn't have time to do anything so I just got frozen for nothing.

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:46PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Lucy, I think I am strange. I actually find the time at the denstist
relxing. I was only getting my teeth cleaned, so there isn't too much
pain. And there are no ringing phones or beeping EMail, or other
things. So the quiet time to do some thinking is nice.

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:47PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Lucy, I forget what grade you teach. Also, please describe your
internet setup in school?

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:47PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Lucy, I love your year-round theme idea your students are really
lucky to have you.

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:48PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Gayle,Lucy, Did you see a copy of the LFM Teacher Guide table of
contents. I think Linda sent it around on discuss-lfm and also posted
it on the Web. Are the activities covered what you were hoping for?

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:49PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
How's the weather your ways. I was hoping to particpate and have
my students participate in Lunar eclipse activities, but I'm afraid
we're way to cloudy. I'm still hoping it'll clear up just at the right
time, but.... Boo

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:49PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Marc, If I may digress... I wasn't seeing things when the SF page
said "We are Smart Filter of Borg" was I. Did you get my reply to
that?

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:50PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
The weather here is overcast too, but the last two nights have been
beautifully clear and I'm going to check the weather satelite photo
now.

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:51PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Lucy, THe weather is clear in Norhtern California. My wife Amy is
pregnant so tonight is our birthing class from 7-10. THe eclipse is
from 7:15-9:30. So I'm hoping during a break in all of the breathing
(hee, hee, haaaa, haaa, hee, hee...that's what we learned last week),
we can go outside and see the moon-be-gone

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:52PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Marc, I'm just busy trying to water it down for the k-2 level and find
basic things we can do.

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:52PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Marc, I'm a 6th grade teacher. So far we only have one internet
connection in our building. I rarely get a chance to use it because we
share with the hight school. It is in the plans to get an internet
connection per grade level, but it hasn't happened yet. I'm hoping it
will before Nov. 19th. but I have my doubts. That's why I thought
it would be nice to be able to ask the questions live via our fiber
optics system which is operated by Ia Public TV. I do all my
interneting at home.. 

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:53PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Gayle, I'm not sure about Smart FIlter of Borg. I haven't seen that
on the pages yet. I have a lot of work to do in cathcing p with the
latest Smart FIlter test. So I haven't seen your note about that. I'm
hoping late tonight to play catchup

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:55PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Congrats, Marc and Amy is this your first? I remember our classes,
didn't do much good for us due to extenuating circumstances, I
won't get into horror stories.

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:56PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Lucy, We try to make the online aspects of the project work for
those who do it from home. For example, we hope that once we get
good Field Journals coming, then you we'll send them out
once/twice per week. You could print them out and bring them to
school to share them with your kids. Hopefully they could discuss
and come up with a good qeustion or two. THen via email, you'd
submit the question and within about two weeks, have a personal
reply back. Also there will be other things that might work online
without direct (in the classroom) access

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:58PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Marc...so I suppose I'll be hearing about the squash tomorrow, if
you're not to "breathed out"

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:58PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Hi Gayle, Have you come up with any good activities for K-2 grade
level? As for birthing, it is our first and I'm sure no 5-week class
will prepare us. It seems like it is just something you have to live
through. In any case, besides me, Amy will have her sister (two
kids), her Mom and her best friend. So I'll have plenty of backup in
the support and "you're doing wonderful, dear" department

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 3:59PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
We've been doing all the Mars parts on the Magic School Bus
Explores the Solar System CDRom. And checking out all the other
websites and library stuff on Mars. Mostly picture books.

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:00PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Marc, I did look at the contents for the guide. They looked pretty
good. I have already used some of the activities this year since I'm
doing Mars things all year. I did the Look for Mars in the sky. It's
an ongoing assignment. I did the scale sizes and the scaled distances
of the solar system. The distance one was especially fun since we
did it outside. Oh I did scale it down even more so I could use our
football field. When doing a unit on matter, mass, weight and lunar
activites I have an old Apple II E program that lets you know your
weight on different planets, the sun, and the moon, so I let the
students find out what they would weigh on Mars and the moon.
When talking about elements and compounds we talked about some
of the elements/compounds would be on Mars. And I've used the
Great CD-Rom Mars Navigator. My kids love it. By the way I sent
away for a PC version of the Viking CD-Rom and haven't heard any
more about it. Would you know anything. Wow. Am I talking too
much?

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:00PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Gayle, I tomorrow is the goal for more squash info. Lucy, what we
are talking about is that Gayle is a Smart Filter who helps process
questions that get Emailed in. Right now, to test some new
software, we have a test going with questions about squash,
monkeys and bananas. Silly stuff, but better then a million "test
#15" messages. That would be no fun at all.

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:01PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Gayle, If you find particular CDs good (like Magic School Bus...),
you might let Jan know, since she's compiling the bibliography of
other helpful resources.

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:02PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Marc, I wish you all the best in that, it is truly a wonderful
experience. I have a letter that my dad wrote while in the waiting
room, you lucked out being around in this time period, otherwise
you could have gotten out of it. (chuckle) I'll let you know what I
come up with as soon as I coordinate something coherent about the
k-2 activities.

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:05PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Lucy, Fear not about talking too much. I don't really know anything
about the Viking CD-ROM....sorry. Your activities sound good.
Later in LFM, we will try to get kids to look for Mars and then place
in a star chart of the sky. Eventually, after months of doing that,
they'll see it start to move backward (retrograde motion) for a 
while.
I've never experienced it myself so I'm looking forward to it. Do
you have your students plot it against a star chart? 

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:05PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Marc, I have a question. I am kind of new to all this. I know I
subscribed to mars-update, but I haven't ever accessed it. How do
you do that and what do you do when you get there. It seemed you
needed some info before getting on, but I really haven't ventured yet
so I've missed it all so far. Maybe I just need to DO it.

Gayle (London): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:06PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
I will let Jan know. Maybe I'll post something to the digest with
what I figure out and find interesting. I have to go now, hubby is at
the Gym trying to get his "girlish" figure back again. (I'm supposed
to be there too, but this excersise of the brain is more fun at the
moment). My daughter Anna is huffing at the door with her coat and
shoes on proclaiming just how ready to go she is... catch ya later.

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:08PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
By the way, here's something to announce...Saturday Oct 12 is
NEtDay in the states Volunteers are supposed to go into classrooms
and help wire them for Internet. My group will be providing content
which hopefully some of the newly connected schools will connect
to. From 11-12 (Pacific), they'll be a live WebChat with Mars
experts. From 12-1, it will be with women who work at NASA.
And from 1-2 it will be with S/MORE (space biology) folks. Also,
from 8-11, it will be with Earth Science experts. So if you are
involved at all in NetDay, or if you want to check it out, Sat Oct 12
is the date. More details as they become available

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:08PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Marc, I've never used a star chart. Is there one available I can get my
hands on? My watch for Mars assignment is kind of an extra credit
one. Maybe I should be more organized about it. The problem is
nature doesn't really cooperate where time is concerned.

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:09PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
By Gayle. Lucy, you wrote mars-update. Do you mean
updates-lfm? What is your Email...I can quickly check it out

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:14PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Lucy, I think that some of the astron0omy magazines have current
star charts I just took a quick cruise and didn't find one right off.
But I am sure are avaible online. We'll certainly have one availabel
as part of what we do, but that won't be until January or so

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:17PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Gayle, If it's not too late. Good bye. Good luck with finding k-2
activities. Marc, How do you get involve in the Oct. 12 event. It
sounds very interesting. Our ICN system just broadcast a live
presentation titled "Careers for Women in Science and Engineering".
My 6th grade girls participated. The theme they used happened to be
Antarctica and the women from Iowa State had been there and
shared their experiences. I tapped some of my Live From Antarctica
materials for my boys who weren't given the opportunity to
participate. Of course I related it all to Mars saying they are doing
studies there, since some of the climate/environment has 
similarities
to Mars. 

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:17PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Here is one place that has a star chart:
http://www.ultranet.com/~cwhitney/amongstars.htm But I'm sure
there are sources which are even more clear

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:19PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Marc, You're right. It was updates-lfm. My e-mail is
lmarske@mtcnet.net if you want to check it out. Thanks.

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:21PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Lucy, About Oct 12...more info will be announced over the
updates-lfm list and also it will be on the LFM web site under
Featured Activities. Also, you might want to get involved in the
Women of NASA project. It is all about having NASA's enthusiastic
women connect with young girls, to help encourgae and motivate
them to stya involved in science. Visit this web site:
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/women/intro.html and also sign up for the
maillist. TO do that, send an email to


Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:21PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
In the messaeg body, write these words: subscribe updates-won

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:22PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Hi Lucy, You seem to be signed up for the updates-lfm list with this
email: lmarske@mtc1.mtcnet.net Have you received LFM #1 and
LFM #2?

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:24PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
If so, then you are receiving the messages OK. The point of the
updates-lfm list is twofold. First it will inform you about new LFM
opportunities (like the Oct 12 event). Also, we'll share Field
Journals there; these are short stories about the day-to-day 
activities
that the various NASA experts experience. The idea is to help you
kids glimps the thrill of modern science.

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:25PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Thanks. I'll look it up, but not now. I'm really looking forward to
getting the guide. The other lfm advocate in Dubuqe and I are giving
a presentation about lfm at the Ia Academy of Science Teacher
Convention in Des Moines Oct. 17. It would of course be nice to
have the guide by then. Otherwise we'll share the kit materials,
which he has. We will use our ICN to plan the presentation Oct. 10.
We couldn't really plan it any other way since he lives on the Eastern
border of IA and I live on the Western border. My husband just told
me the clouds are breaking up and there might be a chance to see the
lunar eclipse. I'll be out there trying. 

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:33PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Lucy, I'm sorry, I picked up the phone and have to talk for a few
minutes. If you can stick around I'll be back shortly

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:35PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
I have not received LFM #1 or LFM #2. So something isn't quite
right. I have gotten some messages from you, but none that I recall
that would indicate they were updates-lfm. Any suggestions what I
should do?

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:43PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
While you're on the phone I'll ask where in CA you live? I have a
sister who lives in Sacramento. She works for the Corps of
Engineers. She's mostly in charge of computer programs for the
Corps. It's always interesting to hear her stories.

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:43PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Hi Lucy, I will edit your entry so that you get future updates. I'll use
your lmarske@mtcnet.net address. Also I'll forward you copies of
the LFM #1 and LFM #2. So that shoudl work. And within a day or
two, I'll send out LFM #3, so if you don't receieveone by then, let
me know and I'll investiagte further

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:46PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
I wanted to thank you for my first experience at a web chat. I had
visions of not being successful. I even told one of my 6th grade
students who had mentioned he had done webchats that I might be
calling him for help. I'll be happy to report to him that I was
successful. He'll be so proud of me.

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:47PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Hi Lucy, I think you'll have the TG by your presentation. Certainly
a version will be online by then. I live in Mt.View, which is part of
Silicon Valley about 35 miles south of San Francisco. It is a great
place to live career wise (every networking company on the planet
seems to be here), but it is getting a bit hectic and crowded (never
more than 500 yards from the closest 7-11). Anyway, it is nice.
Amy's parents live in Sacramento and we really like it there too, but
it is sooo hot in the summer

Marc (California): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:48PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Lucy, You are a grade A 100% success! I enjoyed connecting with
you this way. Perhaps we'll connect here again in the future. Good
bye for now

Lucy(Iowa): . . . . Thu, Sep 26, 4:50PM PDT (-0800 GMT)
Marc, Thanks. Well my stomach is telling me it's hungry. I'd better
go eat. It is 6:45 here. And my husband informs me again the clouds
are breading up. Maybe we will be able to see the eclipse. Thanks
for all your help. And good luck on your breathing lessons. I've
never had to do all that. I chose to have foster children from time to
time and now I have two lovely grown step daughters whom I've
known since they were born. That's the easy way out. But I know
you'll have a great experience. Kids are great. Bye now.