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San Diego Phenomena

Phenomena in Science Education

Phenomena are the natural and man-made observable events that provide context for the work of scientists and engineers. Recent science standards changed the focus from learning about science to figuring out science. Phenomena are a powerful way to engage students and empower them to wonder and investigate.

Sometimes, we look too hard for the phenomenal events and miss the every-day occurrences that are just as intriguing. The list below is a constant work in progress and will be updated as new submissions are received and new occurrences are observed in and around San Diego County.

Submit a Phenomenon

Did you observe something that made you stop and wonder? Share your phenomena and any supporting material like photographs, videos or additional resources.

teacherprograms@rhfleet.org

Automatic garage doors stop working Image: Orange County Home Garage Doors Some San Diego residents came home to the frustration of an improperly functioning garage door opener. Even worse, some residents were startled to find their garage door wide open after being away all day. In some neighborhoods, and at sporadic times, garage doors seemingly grew a mind of their own by either not opening or opening at random intervals. How do we send signals without wires? What are the benefits of these wireless signals? The drawbacks? Why does a garage door opener only open one door and not the next? Resources: Garage door openers stop working in Rancho San Diego YouTube: Hunting RFI - IEEE Radio Frequency Interference - ARRL How to Fight RFI with Your Gadgets NGSS & Grade MS.PS4.C: Information Technologies and Instrumentation	Rocket trails move sideways through the sky Image: James Rowten Rockets on launchpads point straight up towards their destination in space. Yet, rocket launches from Vandenburg Airforce Base in Southern California leave sideways rocket trails in the sky over San Diego. Why do rockets appear to move sideways when space is straight up? Resources: Smithsonian Institute: Why do rockets curve when they go into space instead of going straight up? Additional Imagery: Cygnus launch atop an Atlas V rocket NGSS Connections 5-PS2-1, PS2.B: Types of Interactions MS-PS2-4, PS2.B: Types of Interactions	Calcium buildup around faucets and hoses Image: Jason Mizerek, Fleet Science Center San Diego imports most of its water. That water travels hundreds of miles through rock and soil, which causes a build-up of minerals. These minerals increase the "hardness" of the water, compared to "soft" water that has fewer or no minerals. Calcium, one of the minerals found in San Diego water, can leave white stains around faucets and hoses. Resources City of San Diego San Diego Water Quality Reports
Distinct features are visible at night from space San Diego-area at night from space. Image: NASA Astronauts in the International Space Station snap photographs of Earth from a height of 220 miles above the ground. At night, distinct features appear. In this photograph, west is on top, north is on the right. San Diego Bay is in the center of the photograph. What natural features can you find? Why do you say that? What human-made features can you find? Why do you say that? Where can you find human activity that is influenced by natural features? What can we learn about the human impact on Earth from so far away? Resources: NASA: China's Wall Less Great from Space NGSS Connections: 5-ESS3-1, ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems	May and June receive fewer sunny days. Image: UCSD May Gray. June Gloom. There's data and science to support the time of the year that sees a higher amount of cloud cover near coastal areas in southern California. Resources: California-Nevada Climate Applications Program UCSB Geography KPBS	The ocean glows blue at night Image: Erik Jepsen In May 2018, ocean waves lit up aqua blue at night. The cause was a red tide, or algal bloom, off the coast of San Diego. The ocean waves agitated dinoflagellates in the water, causing a bioluminescent display at the surface. According to Scripps, the last bioluminescent phenomena was in 2013 and the observable occurrence can last a few days to an entire month. Resources: Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California Museum of Paleontology YouTube: Bioluminescent Waves
Large balls of ice can fall from the sky Image: World of Phenomena Ice is not normally associated with San Diego, but on the morning of February 27, 2018, areas including Carlsbad, Escondido, Ramona and El Cajon experienced a passing hailstorm. Hail starts as rain droplets that freeze at high altitudes. With the right conditions, these frozen rain droplets combine with other droplets and grow larger until the hail gets heavy enough to drop from the storm cloud. How does hail stay suspended in the air? Is hail always the same size? Why or why not? Resources: Hail Storm Reports: Union-Tribune, 2/2018 World of Phenomena: Hailstorms YouTube: eHowEducation - Hail NASA Education: How does hail form?

San Diego Phenomena

Phenomena in Science Education

Submit a Phenomenon

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