Brian

I have a day off of school. The weather is beautiful, so we're taking the kids to the nearby ski place for the day. We went once last year and they loved it. This year will be even better because we won't be teaching from scratch and we can jump right in.

Two weeks late, here's my reading from last month

https://ohheybrian.com/blog/2026/02/january-2026-reading

#reading #blog

Some students got this large banner printed for me just to be silly. I didn't ask for it and they were all delighted to have put it together.

For the record, that is my head, but those are not my arms or legs.

#teaching

I feel like it's been a hard couple of weeks but today, out of _nowhere_, I got the **best** teacher gift I have ever gotten.

A photo will come later once I get it hung up after school.

This actually might be easier - use a coffee filter with water-soluble markers and then mist.

I might use pipets and have them drip water. We could also use different temp water to show different rates of diffusion.

https://babbledabbledo.com/easy-art-and-science-idea-diffusion-art/

We're doing a simple diffusion lab next week and I'm trying to come up with a way to turn it into something that produces a little piece of art.

My thought right now is to use shallow trays of water and we drop food coloring in. Allow it to diffuse and mix before placing a small filter disk on top. The water moves in via capillary action, bringing the pigment with it.

Maybe?

My mind is not really in the mood to teach today.

Today in the classroom:

First year chem will finish up their simulation on the kinetic molecular theory and phase changes. We'll jot down some quick notes before the end of the hour.

Second year is finishing their test on reaction kinetics. The multiple choice section was about the same as every other test, so that's good - we're consistent at least.

Long weekend coming up...looking forward to the break.

#chemistry #teaching

Dangit, I just found another broken link on the new site. ugh.

After some fits and starts, I think the migration is finally finished.

https://ohheybrian.com/blog/2026/02/the-migration-is-finished

A couple blokes in a boat.

#watercolor #mastoart #aquarelle