Stuff YOU Should Know

 Going “Green” on the Mall

What would it be like to live in a house that ran only on solar energy? If you happened to be in Washington, D.C., in October, you could find out for yourself. The U.S. Department of Energy hosted the 2009 Solar Decathlon. Teams of students from 20 universities around the world designed, built, and operated houses powered by solar energy. In kicking off the event, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced: “Over the next ten days, they’ll test the efficiency and performance of their homes in 10 contests . . . that simulate real world use. They’ll do laundry, cook, and watch TV, just like in any other family home—but all of the electricity and hot water will be generated using the sun.” Watch the Virginia Tech team describe their house:

The Department of Energy uses the event to highlight the value of renewable energy and “green” building methods. The competition also inspires creativity and innovation (new ideas) on how homes can be designed and engineered to be energy efficient. The student teams working on these houses may be the architects, engineers, or home-builders of the future. What do you think? Take a virtual tour of the houses. Which one would you live in? Did any of the participating teams come from your state?

Buried Treasure

Terry Herbert spent more than 18 years scouring patches of land in England with a metal detector. In July, he hit the jackpot when his detector alerted him to something buried beneath the surface. He was shocked when he actually dug up artifacts made of gold and silver! Over the next several days, Herbert unearthed a huge number of items. Knowing he had discovered something fantastic, Herbert called the local museum. Soon archaeologists and historians went to work at the site. It turns out the artifacts are from the Anglo-Saxon period of England’s history. They may have been buried sometime between A.D. 500 and A.D. 700. Most of the items are pieces of things that a soldier might have worn or used. A sword hilt and part of a helmet are just two examples of what has been found.

The discovery was made public in September, but the location is a secret. The owner of the property prefers it that way. Watch interviews posted by the BBC with the treasure hunter himself, as well as archaeologists who helped dig up the loot, or visit the Web site for the Staffordshire Hoard. You won’t believe your eyes! What do you think? What treasure could be buried in your backyard? Learn more about the history of your area to discover who  may have lived there before you. What artifacts might that group have left behind?

Crash Landing

Why would NASA intentionally crash a spacecraft into the surface of the moon? What would you think if we told you they were looking for water?

On October 9, NASA engineers guided a spacecraft called LCROSS (Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite) to crash into the surface of the moon. As it smashed into the surface, LCROSS created a massive cloud of debris.

NASA scientists have a theory that if there was water ice on the moon, it would be present in the debris cloud. So, another spacecraft followed behind to analyze the debris and discover whether ice particles were present. The data was transmitted back to Earth for study. Some scientists think there could be billions of gallons of water on the moon. If there is, they may eventually look for a way to use it. What do you think? Is it worth the expense and effort to search for water on the moon? Visit NASA’s Web site on the project to learn more.

Next Steps In Afghanistan

As the debate over the war in Afghanistan continues, the Obama administration is discussing what type of force will be needed to defeat the Taliban. Officials are looking for ways to create stability in Afghanistan. Protecting free elections, helping the economy grow, and building new roads or bridges can make life better for the people of Afghanistan.

Many people believe more combat troops are needed because the Taliban has regained power. Deadly attacks on villages, Afghan citizens, and Coalition forces are common. Check out the interactive map published by The New York Times to see how troop numbers have changed over time. If the president authorizes large numbers of new combat troops, he will likely also have to increase the number of support troops that must be stationed there—such as military police and medical personnel. What do you think? Should the United States reduce or expand its military involvement in Afghanistan?

Lightening the Load

Time magazine reported on the efforts one Japanese airline is making to be more eco-friendly: passengers should use the restroom before boarding the plane. The goal is to make the plane lighter, which means it will use less fuel. Using less jet fuel is good for the environment. Ultimately, the airline wants to support “greener travel,” or travel that is friendly to the environment. Read a press release from the airline, ANA that describes all of their efforts. What do you think? Why might companies promote efforts to be “green” or eco-friendly? Would you be more likely to do business with a company that was “green”?