July 11, 2006
 

Fireflies Light Up
Summer Skies


During the soft summer dusk, there’s nothing as relaxing as watching the luminescent display of fireflies. This magical light show is one of nature’s most fantastic gifts and one of the reasons these beetles are also called lightning bugs.

What makes fireflies light up? When oxygen is added to compounds that fireflies keep in a group of special “light cells" called photocytes a chemical reaction occurs.  The reaction creates a light that is called bioluminescence.  Of the compounds in these light cells, luciferin, luciferase, magnesium, and ATP, it is luciferin that is most reactive to oxygen.  The more oxygen the firefly breathes, the brighter the light he or she shines.  

Why do lightning bugs make lightning?  This chemical reaction occurs in both males and females as part of their mating ritual.  The males begin the process by signaling the female.  If she responds with her own light, a courtship begins.  One can tell which of the two is signaling based on the duration of the flash.  Males tend to have shorter flashes of light than females. Every species has its own flash pattern.

[EDITOR’S NOTE:  Discover more interesting science facts when you study with Incredible Tutor™ Science titles for TAKS and general test-prep!]

 

Conference News


Come see us at CAMT!
Incredible Tutor™ for Math is algorithm-based software that provides literally tens of thousands of test questions.  Come by booth #125 at the Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teaching in Houston to pick up your own free trial of this remarkable test-prep solution for math. 

If you can’t visit us at the conference, you can still get a free FULL VERSION trial of Incredible Tutor™ by visiting our website at www.sleek.com/FREETRIAL.


Scot Goen is the TASA Winner!
We were pleased to give 10 free licenses of Incredible Tutor™ to Scot Goen!  Mr. Goen is the Superintendent of Ballinger ISD in Texas.  He entered to win the free software by stopping by our booth at the TASA Summer Conference in Austin, Texas in June.
   
Recipe:
Macaroni Salad


This recipe makes a perfect picnic companion. Thanks to Antonette Thomas of Columbus, Texas for submitting it!


Ingredients:
2 packages of elbow macaroni (cooked al dente and cooled)
3 cans drained tuna
2 cans chopped olives
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Mayonnaise


Directions:
Mix all the ingredients together adding enough mayonnaise so that it’s very creamy and not dry. 
Allow it to sit overnight in the fridge before eating.
10 Fun Picnic Ideas
 
1.

Bring extra blankets. Pile up blankets for an extra cushy picnic spot.
   
2.

Pack the pillows. Be sure to bring pillows so you can lie on the picnic blanket and watch the clouds go by (or nap!).
   
3.

Carry a cutting board. Not only can you use it to slice cheeses and breads at your picnic site, but it also gives you a nice flat surface upon which to serve your feast.
   
4.

Dine with disposables. While it’s not fancy, packing disposable plates, cups, and silverware, significantly lowers the level of stress and keeps your picnic a relaxing affair just like it’s meant to be!
   
5.

Repel insects. Insects such as mosquitoes might be as attracted to you as you are to the idea of an afternoon picnic, so be sure to bring along some insect repellant.

   
6.

Ant proof with talcum powder. By making a ring around your food or the blanket itself you’ll keep the majority of ants at bay.
   
7.

Remember clean-up supplies. Pack a wet washcloth in a zipper baggie and a dry one separately so that sticky hands won’t keep you from delighting in your post-meal moments.
   
8.

Freeze drinks the night before. When you freeze drinks the night before not only will they be nice and cool once you arrive at your picnic site, but they can be used in your ice chest to keep your food cold.
   
9.

Bring a book. Dust off an old tome of poetry and read it aloud to your companion(s) while sitting in the shade of an old tree.
   
10.

Stay long enough for the lightning bugs to come out. End a day perfectly by staying until dusk so you can watch the firefly parade-of-lights!
 
[EDITOR’S NOTE:  Check out the tasty picnic recipe on the left, submitted by one our readers!]
 
 
         
         
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