Though a Looking Glass

I had only pre-loaded two photos on my iPad, something I instantly regretted when it I got his attention.  He wanted more photos, banging on the glass between us to signal that I should page to another.   I needed more photos. I wished that I could hear him, but the glass was thick, understandably so.  He is incredibly strong and the thickness probably drowns out the cacophony of the crowds. But it reduced our communication to sign language and the photos I'd brought.

As soon as it was apparent that he was studying the photos and wanted more, people began lining up behind me, crowding in, making inane comments like, "wow, he's really intelligent".  Of course, he's really intelligent!  And bored, and in jail.  I know they are well cared for, I know that they are endangered, and his life serves a purpose educating.  Tell him that.

I don't get there as much as I'd like, but the next time I go, my iPad will be loaded with more photos of his kind, of foods he might like, perhaps some animals.  I am interested to see what he's looking for, what he wants to see, and perhaps to see if I can give something back rather than just staring.
http://www.louisvillezoo.org/

Teaching Newton's Three Laws of Motion

In teaching Newton's Three Laws of Motion with a potato launcher,  I got the following reaction from my student:

Of course, he was reacting more to the explosion and obliteration of a potato than joy at learning about inertia, acceleration and equal and opposite reactions.  In due time, I expect he will remember.

Many thanks to Mrs. A for loaning us the book, Backyard Ballistics.