2015-07-31 - It sticks! (2)

• What did people think of Mestral's idea?
• What did NASA think of his idea?
• What products use Velcro today?
• QOD: Mestral thought his idea might be better than what?

Many people thought de Mestral's idea was silly and laughed at him. But de Mestral thought his idea might be a better fastener than the zipper. He patented his idea in 1955 and named it "Velcor." He than started a company to make Velcor. However, it took awhile for people to see how great the fastener was.

In the 1960s, NASA began to use a lot of Velcor. They used it as a fastener on space suits. The space agency's use of the fastener led to its use in many other area of life. Soon shoe companies began to use it on children's shoes. Companies that made ski clothes also saw its usefulness. Today Velcro is widely used on everything from children's toys to blood pressure cuff.

Velcro has had some unexpected uses, too. During the first ever artificial heart surgery, Velcro was used to hold the human heart together!

Info Cloud

Teaching Topic: NASA Spinoffs 教學主題: 太空科技的副產品
NASA的科技也應用在日常生活中, 這種現象叫做 spinoff

Language Lab

fasten v. 

/ˈfæsn̩/ (t不發音)

to attach (something) or join (two things or two parts of something) especially by using a pin, nail, etc.

- Please fasten your seat belt, and put your seat in the upright position before we land.

- The fasten seat belt sign will go off when the plane has reached its designated altitude.

patent v.

/ˈpætn̩t/

to get a patent for (something);

to obtain a special document giving you the right to make or sell a new invention or product

- The scientist patented his invention and made a huge profit.

patent n.

an official document that gives a person or company the right to be the only one that makes or sells a product for a certain period of time

- The company applied for a patent for its new product.

agency n.
an organization or department, especially within a government, that does a specific job:
- Josh used to work for the Central Intelligence Agency.
a business that provides a particular service for people or organizations
- I booked my flight through a travel agency.
agent n.
a person or company that represents another person or company, especially in business:
- a real estate agent

artificial adj.

/ˌɑɚtəˈfɪʃl̟/
not happening or existing naturally : created or caused by people
- The artificial arm moves just like a real arm.
- There's an artificial lake at the resort.
not natural or real : made, produced, or done to seem like something natural
- I can't stand the taste of artificial sweetener.

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2015-07-30 It Sticks! (1)

• Where did the inspiration for Velcro come from?
• QOD: How long did George de Mestral work on his idea before he found an answer?

One invention that changed the world

Throughout history people have invented amazing things. Some inventions, like the car, changed people's lives in big ways. Other inventions, like the shopping cart, just made life more convenient. Where does the inspiration come from for these inventions? It can come from anywhere, but the inspiration for Velcro came from nature.

In 1941, George de Mestral was taking a nature hike in Switzerland one day. He noticed many burs sticking to his pants. When he got home, he looked at one of the burs under his microscope. He saw the bur's tiny hooks holding tight to the tiny loops of cloth of his pants. "Could this idea be useful?" he wondered. He worked on it for almost eight years before he found an answer. He made two strips of material. One had thousands of tiny hooks on it; the other was covered with thousands of tiny loops. The two strips could stick tightly to each other.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Biomimicry 仿生學
字首 bio表示生命, mimicry 模仿
Biomimicry 利用自然界的現象改善人類生活的做法

Language Lab
inspiration n.
something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create : a force or influence that inspires someone
- Many writers find inspiration in the people and things around them.
inspire v.
to make (someone) want to do something : to give (someone) an idea about what to do or create
- Joanne was inspired by her drama teacher and became an actress.

Velcro n.
/ˈvɛlˌkroʊ/
used for a nylon fabric that can be fastened to itself
- The bag has a Velcro opening and an inside zipper pocket.
- Many kids don't know how to tie shoelaces because they always wear shoes with Velcro straps.

hook n.
a curved or bent tool for catching, holding, or pulling something
- Greg always hangs his jacket on the hook by his office door.
- These curtain hooks were made of brass.
hook v.
to connect or attach (something) with a hook
- Ricky hooked his trailer to his truck.

microscope n.
a device used for producing a much larger view of very small objects so that they can be seen clearly
- Mike loves to look at insect samples under the microscope.
- When you're using a microscope, make sure you adjust the focus correctly.

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Things to See and Do in Toronto (2)

The CN Tower 
Most will agree that if you only do one thing in Toronto, you must visit the CN Tower. This iconic structure, built the 1970s, looks like a giant doctor's needle and is the highest freestanding building in the world. Glass elevators wait to take you 553 meters to the top where you are rewarded with terrific views!

St. Lawrence Market 
Sights and smells delight your senses as you stroll through Toronto's famous St. Lawrence Market. In 1803, at the market's outset, farmers brought in fresh vegetables on Saturdays, but today the popular landmark permanently houses over 120 vendors. In 2012, National geographic named St. Lawrence Market the world's best food market.

Casa Loma 
Casa Loma, Toronto's only castle is also one of the city's greatest historical monuments. In 1911, 300 men began construction on the mansion and finished it three years later at a cost of over US$3 million. Walking into the magnificent home is like stepping back into an era of European splendor. The 98-room castle has towers, tunnels, secret passages, balconies, and a five-acre garden, all fit for a king or queen.

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Things to See and Do in Toronto (1)

Visit the city that is home to the world

Toronto bears the distinction of being the capital of Ontario, Canada, yet people sometimes refer to it as "New York City run by the Swiss." The city boasts world-class restaurants, shopping and theaters in the midst of clean sidewalks and friendly people. Because Toronto is situated on the banks of Lake Ontario, the city has always been an important port town. Early on, it was a French trading post that was later taken over by the British and named "York" in 1793.

From 1825 to 1851, the town grew from 720 people to 30,775, changing its status from a trading post to an important administrative and commercial center. In 1834, it officially became a municipality and received a new name - "Toronto."

Today Ontario's capital is the fourth largest city in North America and is home to more than 6 million people. Many new arrivals are foreign immigrants, bringing more than 140 languages to the region, and making Toronto the most multiculturally diverse city on earth. The food, music and customs of almost every nation can be found in the capital city.

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Cricket (2)

The Ashes 
Cricket is known to cause confusion for new spectators and rules can be discussed extensively. Test cricket, the sport's full professional form, also lasts up to five six-hour days! Still, the details and length of the sport don't keep away scores of fans. You won't find truer followers (or stronger rivals) than in England and Australia. The Ashes, a series of five Test cricket matches played between England and Australia, are played every two years.

The death of English cricket 
In 1882, Australia beat England at cricket for the first time on home soil. In response to the defeat, a newspaper reported the death of English cricket. It read, "The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia." Ivo Bligh, captain of England's cricket team, vowed to bring back the Ashes from Australia the next season. A tiny urn, perhaps containing the ashes of a wicket piece, was given to him in Australia. English cricket may have died, but it rose from the Ashes and continues to this day.

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Cricket (1)

The most popular sport you probably know nothing about

Soccer (or football) can easily claim the greatest number of fans of any sport. But you might be surprised to find out what game is often named the runner-up - cricket.

A little like baseball ...
Both baseball and cricket share some feathers - a ball and a bat, throwers and runners. In cricket, a bowler throws a ball to the striker, like a batter, on the other team. Numerous players wait in the oval field to catch balls hit by the striker, hoping to manage an out. The similarities between the two sports mostly end there.

But not much
While baseball is played on a diamond with four bases, cricket has a 20.1 -meter pitch with two ends. One batsman stands on each end with the bowler throwing from behind one of them. If the striker hits the ball well, the batsmen rack up runs by running to trade places. Then they perform this wsitch again and again before the bowler's team breaks a wicket. Wickets, structures at either end of the pitch, come apart when hit correctly.

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Save Money by Saving Water

A few simple ways to reduce your water bill

Your water bill came in the mail, and it is high! What can you do to lower it?

The power of showers
Take a shower, not a bath. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that 113.6 liters of water fill up half a bathtub. The average shower uses about 8 liters per minute. So shower in five minutes and save!
Stop leaks 
Check your faucets and your toilet for leaks. Even a small faucet leak can waste 700 to 950 liters of water every month! Add a few drops of food coloring to your toilet tank, and wait 15 minutes. If the food coloring appears in the bowl before you flush, you have a leak.

Don’t let water run
Instead of running the water when washing your face, fill the sink with water. When you’re washing dishes, fill a bowl with soapy water. After washing the dishes in the bowl, rinse them with running water. Also wash fruit and vegetables in a bowl.When it comes to saving water, small changes can have a big impact.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Bath vs. Shower

Most of us take either a bath or shower every day. The difference, of course, is that a bath is taken by soaking yourself in the bathtub and a shower is taken by standing under a nozzle with water spring down on you.

Notice Steve just said take a bath and take a shower, that’s because he is American. The British, on the other hand, tend to say have a bath, and have a shower.

And when we wash ourselves by taking a bath, we are bathing, which is spelled b-a-t-h-i-n-g.

Right, not [ bˈæθ ing]. Bathing comes from the verb, to bathe, b-a-t-h-e.

Okay, now when talking about swimming, people used to say that they’re going bathing, hence the term “bathing suits”.

Right, a bathing suit is a swimsuit, nowadays however, bathing is seldom used to refer to swimming. It is more common to say, swim, go for a swim, have a swim or go swimming.

Let’s go for a quick swim in the pool. Okay, when bathing is mentioned nowadays, it usually refers to sunbathing, which is sitting or lying out in the sun in order to get a suntan. For example, I might say, “It’s so nice out. I think outgo sunbathing in the park.”

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Light Up the Sky (2)

European rulers loved fireworks. They often used them to entertain their people and show their wealth and power. French kings had fantastic displays at their palaces. Czar Peter the Great of Russian used them when his son was born. The czar arranged a 5-hour display to celebrate the boy’sbirth! Before the 1830s, fireworks weren’t very colorful. They produced loud booms, orange flashes or white sparks. Then the Italians began to add traces of metals and other things to the fireworks. The result was colorful sparks and bright bursts now seen in modern firework shows.

Today, fireworks remain extremely popular for all kind of celebrations. Big displays are set up professionals. Their rockets carrying the shells of the fireworks can reach speeds of 240 kilometers per hour. They can fly as high as 200 meters before exploding. China makes and exports more fireworks than any other country. Ninety percent of all fireworks come from there. Nothing says celebration like fireworks.

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Light Up the Sky (1)

Fireworks light up a dark sky with bursts of color

People love fireworks. Many countries celebrate their national day or major holidays with fireworks. They fill the night sky with bursts of red, blue, green and gold. Historians say fireworks began in China. Between 600 and 900 A.D., the Chinese invented gunpowder . They put it into bamboo tubes and threw them into the fire. The tubes would burst with a loud bang. Thus, the first fireworks were born. Chinese used them to scare away ghosts and celebrate special events.

By the 13th century, gunpowder had found its way to Europe. Western scientists improved it and used it in weapons. At the same time, gunpowder was used in fireworks to enhance celebrations of military victories. In medieval England, people who were good with fireworks were called "firemasters." They had assistants called green men. These assistants wore hats made of green leaves to protect their heads from sparks. Theirs was a dangerous job, and many died or were injured in accidents.

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The Art of Voice Acting (2)

The world of voice acting

As you embark on a voice acting career, remember that your new environment is one that demands patience and hard work. You might start by recording bits for commercials or the voice people hear when the subway doors are closing. With some success, avenues for film or video game animation and documentary narration might be in your future. But even professionals take both energy-filled jobs, like original animation, and jobs like dubbing, which can leave you feeling like you're trapped in a booth.

Voice acting greats

If you're seeking a fun and artistic career, voice-over might be for you, but don't expect fame to come with it. You probably don't know of Tom Kenny or Peter Cullen, but you've almost definitely heard of Kenny's Spongebob Squarepants or Cullen's Optimus Prime. Hank Azaria has managed to appear in live-action films like Godzilla (1998) and The Smurfs (2011) while also performing more than 35 voices on The Simpsons. However, voice acting careers more often take after the legendary Looney Tunes voice of Mel Blanc who worked almost exclusively in voice-over. One way or another, voice acting is work that will both exhaust and reward.

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The Art of Voice Acting (1)

Being an invisible yet audible star

Do your friends or acquaintances ever compliment your voice for being interesting and unique? Do you enjoy doing silly voices and impressions, and are you a big fan of animated films and cartoons? If your answer is yes, voice acting might be a possible career for you, but don’t expect an easy road to success.

Getting started
Achieving professional status among voice actors is just as difficult as breaking into regular acting and singing. Likewise, you need to go to similar lengths of preparation as those performers before you can expect to find work.

If you’re serious about voice acting, you probably will want to enroll in acting classes and vocal lessons. Also, theimportance of producing a quality demo reel that representsyour talent cannot be emphasized enough.

Once you're armed with some good preparation, you'll want to contact a talent agency and start booking auditions. Unfortunately, this is basically impossible unless you live in a city where the voice-over industry is strong. Once you are getting consistent work, you will likely need to invest in a home studio with industry-level equipment.

Language Lab
Teaching Topic: Levels of Relationship 教學主題: 不同的人際關係
Hello, friends! What do you call someone whom you know but is not a close friend? That person might be considered an acquaintance.

That’s right. An acquaintance is a person you know but not well enough to be considered a friend. Some half  jokingly say that an acquaintance is a person we know well enough to borrow money from but not well enough to lend money to.

That’s a good way to look at it. So the basic order of relationships might go something like this, stranger, acquaintance, friend, close friend and best friend.

And there’s even another level, Ken. The highest level of relationship is summed up in the popular term, soul mate. Soul mates are two people who are more than best friends. In addition to shared tastes and interests, they have a rare ability to connect on a very deep level emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.

So, can soul mates be people of the same sex? Sure. Soul mates can describe two people of the same sex, like sisters, for example, who are very close might use this term. But it’s more commonly used between people of the opposite sex. Finding a soul mate is a rare and precious thing.

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