The eternal question of kilts in winter

[keydetpiper]

I teach high school science (an activity for which I do not wear a kilt) and I play the bagpipes (an activity for which I do), and a friend forwarded me an email this week with a link to an old thread on this forum: the experiment that tested several kilts to see which provided thermal insulation. The email was originally sent by Vernier, the company that manufactures and sells the probes and interface used in the experiment. I would have posted this comment on that thread but it is closed, but I wanted to share the fact that this experiment is being cited as another use (outside of the classroom) for some of its equipment.

As a scientist, I enjoyed reading the paper quite a bit, and thought it generally a well organized experiment. I think there should have been a control experiment done with just the boxer shorts (no kilt) to see just how well it insulates, but I can understand the experimenter's reluctance to volunteer for this aspect of the experiment.

[Tartan Hiker]

As a scientist, I enjoyed reading the paper quite a bit, and thought it generally a well organized experiment. I think there should have been a control experiment done with just the boxer shorts (no kilt) to see just how well it insulates, but I can understand the experimenter's reluctance to volunteer for this aspect of the experiment.

First off...Welcome to XMTS from one of the many teachers who frequent this forum.

Thanks for the comments on my study. I was quite surprised when Vernier sent me a note last week telling me that they were 'publishing' it in their newsletter. I received a very generous gift certificate from them as well.

Yeah, I went back and forth on the boxer thing, and couldn't see any alternative aside from sticking them to my skin with duct tape.

[NewEnglander]

Give a science geek a new toy and it won't be long before they make an experiment out of it!
Welcome from another science teacher!

[KFCarter]

Just a slightly off-topic aside to say to you folks and the other teachers on the forum...
TEACHERS ROCK
thanks for doing what you do

[keydetpiper]

Several other teachers on the forums here I see... anyone else play the pipes? It's an exciting day in my class when I play for my classes, neatly demonstrating several of the principles of sound we have been studying.

[SoulFyre777]

I had not seen this! Bravo!! Brilliant study and quite surprising, actually! I, like others, would have innocently assumed that more yardage = higher R value. Very interesting indeed! Any plans to further your research with the new gadgets your publication afforded you? I'd love to see some of the suggestions on the original thread covered (i.e. p@nts, different wool weights, temperature at the knee, etc.). All in all, well done and congratulations on being published! Well deserved, I say!

[Lachlan09]

All I can remember was that in the Scottish snow with a snell wind blawing, my under areas were warm as toast but my hands were freezing !

[Jock Scot]

All I can remember was that in the Scottish snow with a snell wind blawing, my under areas were warm as toast but my hands were freezing !

This might be tempting providence, but we still get the wind, but snow is not as common as it used to be. Above a thousand feet maybe, lower than that snow is "almost" uncommon, We still store provisions though, just in case we get a real winter!

[Pleater]

I am waiting for some cold weather to test out wearing a long plaid over a kilt.

I have already found that wet and windy weather can be faced with a plaid, but so far there have been just a couple of light frosts in the morning which I can cope with in tee shirt, not even shirt sleeve order so far.

The experiment will be mostly subjective - though I do have a long probe thermometer which could put numbers into the situation, should it arrive.

We used to get snow, enough to make snowmen with our children - well - I used to create snow dinosaurs and Rupert the Bear. I wonder if my grandson will ever have the opportunity to see my snow sculpture.

Anne the Pleater

[ForresterModern]

TartanHiker, I am not sure how I missed this significant publication when it was first posted but somehow I did. I am very impressed by the methodology and science involved, the seriousness with which you approached what could have been a joke of a subject, and the thoroughness of your presentation of your data and findings, and ultimate conclusions. I am equally impressed that the device company picked up on it for their sales angle.

Lastly, having been a longtime reader of the Journal of Irreproducible Results I think this would be a fantastic article to submit to their publication, right up their alley.

Phenomenal. What will we think of next. Thanks for bring up the old thread as a reborn topic, KeyDetPiper.

jeff