David Toback Texas A&M University April 2013

1. Who wants to know a little about fun science stuff? Norton Elementary, 4thgrade This could be you David Toback Texas A&M University April2013 David Toback, Texas A&M University Research Topics Seminar

2. A little about me • I Grew up on the south side of Chicago • Went to college at MIT and then to graduate school at the University of Chicago • I work at Texas A&M University in College Station • Whoop! • I am a Professor of Physics and Astronomy which means I’m BOTH a Scientist AND a Teacher • I have three sons, one is in third grade at College Hills Elementary David Toback, Texas A&M University Norton Elementary Class

3. Today • I asked you guys to send me the questions YOU wanted to know the answer to. • They were AWESOME! Loved them! • What are we going to do in class today? I made a set of (some of) the questions and y’all will VOTE on which questions you want to hear about. We’ll do those first until we run out of time. David Toback, Texas A&M University Norton Elementary Class

4. Let’s make a deal I will answer as many questions as I can and I’ll make it fun for you, but I need you to agree to the following: • I want you to have fun asking questions • I want you to raise your hand so I can see what YOU want to know about • I expect you to be respectful of your classmates so everyone gets to hear Do we have a deal? David Toback, Texas A&M University Norton Elementary Class

5. 1: More about me? • How did I decide to be come a scientist? • How old was I when I knew? • What is my favorite part of being a scientist/teacher? • Do I like my job? David Toback, Texas A&M University Norton Elementary Class

6. 2: Others like ours? • Is there another planet like the Earth? • Are there other planets outside the solar system? • Is there another star like the Sun? • How many stars in the Milky Way? • How many galaxies are there? David Toback, Texas A&M University Norton Elementary Class

7. 3: Planets and other stuff • Why isn’t Pluto a planet any more? • Is there life on other planets? • Will we travel to other planets soon? • Could we live on other planets? • Can we travel to other stars? • Can we travel to other galaxies? David Toback, Texas A&M University Norton Elementary Class

8. 4: The Sun • How far away is the Sun? • How hot is the surface of the Sun? • How hot is the center of the Sun? • How cold is outer space? • How long will the Sun shine? • Will our Sun explode in a Supernova? • What WILL happen to our Sun? David Toback, Texas A&M University Norton Elementary Class

9. 5: Black Holes • Are black holes real? • How close is the closest black holes? • Should I be worried? • How are black holes created? • Are there really Supermassive Black Holes? • What would happen if you fell into a black hole? David Toback, Texas A&M University Norton Elementary Class

10. 6: Aliens • Do you believe in aliens? • What would happen if you met an alien? • Will we go to other planets to meet aliens? • Do you want to meet aliens? David Toback, Texas A&M University Norton Elementary Class

11. 7: Other Stuff • What is a shooting star? • How fast do they move? David Toback, Texas A&M University Norton Elementary Class

12. 8: Water in outer space • Want to see what happens to water in outer space? • Check this out: http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2013/04/21/177949605/a-wet-towel-in-space-is-not-like-a-wet-towel-on-earth David Toback, Texas A&M University Norton Elementary Class

13. That’s it! • Enjoy your science class! • Don’t be afraid to ask hard questions! • Look for answers on the internet • Find the answer on two different pages and see if they agree! • Email me if you have more questions • toback@tamu.edu • Join my Facebook page: • Learning-about-the-Big-Bang-and-Black-Holes-Without-the-Math • If you send me fun things you find, I’ll post them! David Toback, Texas A&M University Norton Elementary Class