If you're interested in helping the planet in whatever tiny ways you can, or if you love stepping outside and getting a breath of fresh air, or if you've ever marveled at the complex beauty of nature, you might want to check out the Mother Nature Network. They describe themselves as a simple to understand news site where they "cover the broadest scope of environmental news and social responsibility issues on the Internet."
They have some really beautiful and unique content. Check out this gem I found yesterday, which has a link to a live webcam of a newborn baby bear.
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Monday, February 16, 2015
Explore Science this Mid-Winter Break
If you're looking for something awesome to explore this break, I suggest that you check the Exploratorium. There, you can find cool science activities, links to amazing websites, awesome blogs, and interesting videos. And, you guessed it, there's an app for that too.
Explorations in Science: Doctor Michio Kaku
One of the best ways to learn science is from actual scientists! Doctor Michio Kaku is one of my personal heroes/role models. He makes science fun, engaging, and relatable. I suggest checking out his website and browsing through some of the free articles, radio programs, and videos.
SETI
Given the sheer vastness of the universe, the growing number of Earth-like planets that have been discovered, and the logical conclusion of the Drake Equation, it's extremely unlikely that humans are the only sentient, sapient, intelligent, technologically developed form of life in the universe. That's why organizations such as SETI (short for the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence) have radio telescopes pointed to the sky whose sole purpose is to listen out for any messages those intelligent life forms might have sent out our way.
(If you're wondering how this all works, consider this: We currently have the technology to find extraterrestrial planets orbiting other stars, and are perfecting the technology to analyze their atmospheres for water, which is considered the universal requirement for life. Any alien races with the same technology might have sussed out that Earth is a life-sustaining planet and sent a concentrated message our way. The problem with these messages are many. There are so many different frequencies that we're not sure which to listen in on (think of it like this: your friend is going to send you a radio message today, but you're not sure when, and you only have ten radios. However, there are one thousand possible radio stations your friend could be sending this message on.) and some scientists believe that an alien civilization might scatter their message across every frequency to increase the probability of it arriving here at least mostly intact. There's also the problem that there are so many planets, and so much universe out there, and until fairly recently, we weren't sure where to point our telescopes. (Your friend could send you a sky-written message, but if your back is turned, you're still not going to see it.) There's also the problem that messages decay over long distances, such as those between planets, and that the extraterrestrial races might have already given up contacting us and/or are simply not interested in making contact because they have enough friends/problems of their own.
If we ever did get a message, there would also be the problem of interpreting it (it would be a lot simpler if those dang aliens would just speak English, right?) and replying. If we got a message for 80 lightyears away, that would mean that it was sent 80 years ago, and our reply would take an additional 80 years to reach them. Unless these ET's were extraordinarily long-lived, it's likely that we'd be sending a message back to their children or grandchildren. Also, we'd never get to hear how that particular conversation ended, and that'd just be maddening.
You can learn more about the work SETI is doing and read about new developments in their search here. And if you think that this is super-cool/awesome/a worthy cause/kinda a good idea, check out SETI@home to see how you can help for free.
(If you're wondering how this all works, consider this: We currently have the technology to find extraterrestrial planets orbiting other stars, and are perfecting the technology to analyze their atmospheres for water, which is considered the universal requirement for life. Any alien races with the same technology might have sussed out that Earth is a life-sustaining planet and sent a concentrated message our way. The problem with these messages are many. There are so many different frequencies that we're not sure which to listen in on (think of it like this: your friend is going to send you a radio message today, but you're not sure when, and you only have ten radios. However, there are one thousand possible radio stations your friend could be sending this message on.) and some scientists believe that an alien civilization might scatter their message across every frequency to increase the probability of it arriving here at least mostly intact. There's also the problem that there are so many planets, and so much universe out there, and until fairly recently, we weren't sure where to point our telescopes. (Your friend could send you a sky-written message, but if your back is turned, you're still not going to see it.) There's also the problem that messages decay over long distances, such as those between planets, and that the extraterrestrial races might have already given up contacting us and/or are simply not interested in making contact because they have enough friends/problems of their own.
If we ever did get a message, there would also be the problem of interpreting it (it would be a lot simpler if those dang aliens would just speak English, right?) and replying. If we got a message for 80 lightyears away, that would mean that it was sent 80 years ago, and our reply would take an additional 80 years to reach them. Unless these ET's were extraordinarily long-lived, it's likely that we'd be sending a message back to their children or grandchildren. Also, we'd never get to hear how that particular conversation ended, and that'd just be maddening.
You can learn more about the work SETI is doing and read about new developments in their search here. And if you think that this is super-cool/awesome/a worthy cause/kinda a good idea, check out SETI@home to see how you can help for free.
Learn about Bugs and Other Insects
If you're anything like my co-partner, Code Name Queen, you call your mum down when there's so much as an itty bitty spider in the tub or an ant on the counter investigating some melted popsicles at the height of summer.
But if you're anything like me, you absolutely love any little critter that slitters, crawls, or squirms its way through life. You'll poke anything with a stick, and if none are available, you'll get hands-on all over that lil' bugger. If this sounds like you, go head over to the Iowa State University Entomology Department. You can view image galleries of nearly every common gross, cool, and slimy critter here and here. And if you don't fancy sleeping tonight, you can check out a page of notes on the problematic creatures living around, on, and yes, inside you, too. (Just joking about those last two. Probably.)
But if you're anything like me, you absolutely love any little critter that slitters, crawls, or squirms its way through life. You'll poke anything with a stick, and if none are available, you'll get hands-on all over that lil' bugger. If this sounds like you, go head over to the Iowa State University Entomology Department. You can view image galleries of nearly every common gross, cool, and slimy critter here and here. And if you don't fancy sleeping tonight, you can check out a page of notes on the problematic creatures living around, on, and yes, inside you, too. (Just joking about those last two. Probably.)
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Recreational Mathematics
Do you find math fun? For most people, the answer is either 'no' or 'no, man' or even 'heck no.' But if you're someone like me and love all those beautiful lines of equations, you might want to check out this site about recreational mathematics. I found the resources about Möbius strips particularly entertaining.
Alpaca Cam
Learning can be hard work. Take a break to watch an adorable family of alpacas do all the things that alpaca families spend their days doing. (Please note that this site links to a live alpaca cam and does not show any video at night.)
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Cloud Creatures, Beach Excursions, and Backyard Gardening: More Ideas for Parents of Young Children
When I was young, I had the good fortune of living five minutes from the nearest shore. That shore just happened to be a narrow bay fed by the Atlantic Ocean, but at the age of four, I thought it was a sea. In the warmer months, my mother used to take me down to the bay with a shovel and some sturdy baggies. I would hop over the rocks and try to pet the ducks while my mom pointed out the prettiest seashells and the roundest rocks. After abandoning my quest to befriend the local wildlife, each object would be subject to my careful inspection. Only the best pebbles and the most awe-inspiring shells would go into the baggie. As I gracelessly toddled around on the sandy beach, my mom would explain how the ocean churned the rocks over many hundreds or even thousands of years to make them smooth, how sand was formed by waves crashing against stone and how our beach had formed when those particles from far-away places washed up upon the land. She told me about some of the different creatures living in the bay, and still other creatures who were dependent on those animals. She also explained to me that the bay was not, in fact, an ocean, but it took a couple of years (and a visit to an actual ocean) for that to fully sink in.
Trips to the beach can be a great learning experience for young children. Just make sure to research the beach beforehand, as many of today's beaches contain contaminants such as oil or industrial pollutants, glass shards that can be dangerous to little hands, or biting/stinging native creatures that should not be ventured near. It should also be noted that beaches pose a drowning hazard if children stray too close to the water and are too young or unable to swim, or if they get caught in an offshore rip current.
If you live further inland, or the weather does not permit a beach excursion, you might want to consider taking the fun to your own backyard. Arm your little one with a shovel and a bucket and allow them to do a little bit of digging in a designated area. You should carefully supervise this activity, making sure to point out which little critters to leave alone and which bugs are okay to play with. If your child finds any rocks under the ground, ask them if they can guess how they got there. You can also have a discussion about gardening. Talk to your child about the importance of respecting and protecting planets. Tell them about the importance of fertilizer, and explain to them how plants photosynthesize energy from the sun. You might even want to start a small compost pile or have your child help you start a flower, vegetable, or herb garden.
If none of the above are an option for you and your child, go for the classics. Wait until a partially cloudy or mostly sunny day, lay out an old blanket in an open space, and lie down to watch the clouds together. Encourage your child to see shapes in the clouds, and to make up stories about them. You might even want to turn this into a back and forth exchange, where you start the story, your child continues it for a sentence, and then you do the same. This'll probably result in a bit of giggling all around. If you want, you can also discuss how clouds form, and talk about how weather influences our daily lives.
These suggestions are mainly geared towards parents of younger children, but they can all be modified to become a learning and bonding experience for a guardian and a child of any age.
Trips to the beach can be a great learning experience for young children. Just make sure to research the beach beforehand, as many of today's beaches contain contaminants such as oil or industrial pollutants, glass shards that can be dangerous to little hands, or biting/stinging native creatures that should not be ventured near. It should also be noted that beaches pose a drowning hazard if children stray too close to the water and are too young or unable to swim, or if they get caught in an offshore rip current.
If you live further inland, or the weather does not permit a beach excursion, you might want to consider taking the fun to your own backyard. Arm your little one with a shovel and a bucket and allow them to do a little bit of digging in a designated area. You should carefully supervise this activity, making sure to point out which little critters to leave alone and which bugs are okay to play with. If your child finds any rocks under the ground, ask them if they can guess how they got there. You can also have a discussion about gardening. Talk to your child about the importance of respecting and protecting planets. Tell them about the importance of fertilizer, and explain to them how plants photosynthesize energy from the sun. You might even want to start a small compost pile or have your child help you start a flower, vegetable, or herb garden.
If none of the above are an option for you and your child, go for the classics. Wait until a partially cloudy or mostly sunny day, lay out an old blanket in an open space, and lie down to watch the clouds together. Encourage your child to see shapes in the clouds, and to make up stories about them. You might even want to turn this into a back and forth exchange, where you start the story, your child continues it for a sentence, and then you do the same. This'll probably result in a bit of giggling all around. If you want, you can also discuss how clouds form, and talk about how weather influences our daily lives.
These suggestions are mainly geared towards parents of younger children, but they can all be modified to become a learning and bonding experience for a guardian and a child of any age.
Explore Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is a great resource to learn about science and nature. If you live in NYC, you might want to consider swinging by the museum over Mid-winter Break. The suggested admission is rather pricey for adults, but remember that low-income families always have the option of paying a lower donation, no questions asked.
However, if you live too far away or don't feel like venturing out into the blistering cold, you can explore the Museum right from the comfort of your computer chair/couch/bed. You can visit the Museum's blog to learn about exciting news in the field of natural history, click here to learn about awesome dinosaur discoveries, or follow this link to explore the universe.
You can find a more comprehensive list of the topics on the Museum's website, including whales, volcanoes, food, and climate change, right here.
However, if you live too far away or don't feel like venturing out into the blistering cold, you can explore the Museum right from the comfort of your computer chair/couch/bed. You can visit the Museum's blog to learn about exciting news in the field of natural history, click here to learn about awesome dinosaur discoveries, or follow this link to explore the universe.
You can find a more comprehensive list of the topics on the Museum's website, including whales, volcanoes, food, and climate change, right here.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Become a Citizen Scientist with Zooinverse
Have you dreamed of making a difference in the world? Have you ever wanted to help real-life scientists make exciting new discoveries at the cutting edge of science? While you're waiting to become a scientist yourself, you can make your dreams come true by becoming a citizen scientist with Zooinverse.
You can help scientists classify galaxies, examine solar flares, explore the lunar surface, find planets around distant stars, analyze weather on Mars, discover more about the formation of stars, take a peek at the edges of black holes, organize sun-spot sightings, discover near-Earth asteroids, learn more about Earth's climate, hear whales communicate, explore the ocean floor, find and classify animals in the Serengeti, spy on penguins, track genetic mysteries, uncover the building blocks of the universe, and much, much more.
You can help scientists classify galaxies, examine solar flares, explore the lunar surface, find planets around distant stars, analyze weather on Mars, discover more about the formation of stars, take a peek at the edges of black holes, organize sun-spot sightings, discover near-Earth asteroids, learn more about Earth's climate, hear whales communicate, explore the ocean floor, find and classify animals in the Serengeti, spy on penguins, track genetic mysteries, uncover the building blocks of the universe, and much, much more.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Junior Rangers Program
If you're going to be visiting a national or state park sometime in the near future, you might want to consider becoming a Junior Ranger. You'll learn a lot about the environment and the various types of wildlife and vegetation living in each park, and you'll even get a cool Junior Ranger patch for your efforts. Even if you're not going to be taking a trip to a park anytime soon, you might want to check out the National Junior Ranger Program Booklets to learn more about fossils, the night sky, the wilderness, the Underground Railroad, and marine life. You can visit the site right here.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
NASA Activities and Resources
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's virtual site has over two dozen fun activities and lessons for learners of all ages interested in astronomy and cosmology. You can also play a couple of NASA's fun educational games right here.
The Family Farmer
If you're looking for an excuse to do a bit of online gaming this weekend, you might want to check out The Family Farmer. In this interactive simulation, you will become the owner of a Canadian farm. You'll have to manage daily life on the farm without running out of money, exhausting your fellow workers, or succumbing to the economic and political pressures of international conglomerate companies looking to build on your farm. By the time you're done, you'll have a better understanding of the daily struggles faced by small farmers and hopefully a little more respect for the hard-working individuals who rise at the crack of dawn every morning to put food on our grocery shelves.
WebRangers
If you love nature and are interested in learning about America's national and state parks, you might want to check out WebRangers. You can play a variety of educational games that will help you learn about history, science, and animal life. You can also help the rangers decode puzzles and go on awesome scavenger hunts.
This site is best suited for younger learners. Middle and high schoolers can head over to NPS's Explore Nature site to learn more about conservation efforts all around the country.
This site is best suited for younger learners. Middle and high schoolers can head over to NPS's Explore Nature site to learn more about conservation efforts all around the country.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Learn about Animal Anatomy
This interactive will help science students learn about the anatomy of fish, worms, and frogs. It's quite fascinating to see how such different creatures share similar organs and organ systems that are ideally suited to carry out the necessary functions of life in each creature's unique environment. As you finish virtually building each animal, consider the similarities and differences they share. If you can, try to relate what you learn in the simulation to your knowledge of human anatomy and the history of evolution of life on Earth.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Cosmos: A Personal Voyage and A Spacetime Oddyssey
If you love science, the following two TV programs might be right up your alley. Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, presented by the beloved scientist Carl Sagan, takes viewers on a journey through the cosmos, from the Big Bang to the lives of stars to the origin of organic life on Earth. You can watch all thirteen episodes for free on Youtube.
Cosmos recently got a modern revamp with all of the latest special effects designed to enhance the viewer's engagement with the series. Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey is presented by the well-renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and will take viewers on a similar voyage through the stars. In the words of the National Geographic Network, "Cosmos will explore how we discovered the laws of nature and found our coordinates in space and time. It will bring to life never-before-told stories of the heroic quest for knowledge and transport viewers to new worlds and across the universe for a vision of the cosmos on the grandest scale."
I've been unable to find a site where you can watch Cosmos for free, so check your local TV listings if you're interested in watching. In the meantime, check out the official site, where you can learn more about the host, watch clips from the series, and construct your own virtual solar system.
Cosmos recently got a modern revamp with all of the latest special effects designed to enhance the viewer's engagement with the series. Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey is presented by the well-renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and will take viewers on a similar voyage through the stars. In the words of the National Geographic Network, "Cosmos will explore how we discovered the laws of nature and found our coordinates in space and time. It will bring to life never-before-told stories of the heroic quest for knowledge and transport viewers to new worlds and across the universe for a vision of the cosmos on the grandest scale."
I've been unable to find a site where you can watch Cosmos for free, so check your local TV listings if you're interested in watching. In the meantime, check out the official site, where you can learn more about the host, watch clips from the series, and construct your own virtual solar system.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
National Parks and Wildlife Refuges
Visiting any one of America's protected areas, national or state parks, wildlife refuges, or designated natural areas can be a learning experience for the whole family. Discover how America the Beautiful got its name by visiting a national park near you.
Hidden Kingdoms Documentary Series
In the BBC's own words, Hidden Kingdoms allows viewers to "immerse {themselves} in the lives of extraordinary characters that stand a few inches tall. From chipmunks to mice, be entertained and spellbound by the creatures that call the Hidden Kingdoms home."
Hidden Kingdoms: Under Open Skies
Hidden Kingdoms: Secret Forests
Hidden Kingdoms: Under Open Skies
Hidden Kingdoms: Secret Forests
Wild Weather Documentary Series
In the BBC documentary series Wild Weather, presenter Richard Hammond travels around the globe to show viewers how the forces of wind, water, and temperature shape our world. Viewers of all ages will enjoy watching him chase a tornado, build a fire twister, fly a helicopter into a cloud, start a controlled avalanche, and build his very own dust storm.
Wild Weather: Wind
Wild Weather: Water
Wild Weather: Temperature
Wild Weather: Wind
Wild Weather: Water
Wild Weather: Temperature
Friday, January 23, 2015
Collection of Online Interactives
Check out this collection of educational interactives from all over the Internet. They're meant mainly for students in grades K-5, but I have to confess that I had fun clicking around the site too. The site hosts links to science, math, ELA, social studies, music, art, and Spanish interactives and is very easy to navigate, so I'm sure that it'll be a breeze to find exactly what you want to learn about.
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