Amelia

In honor of the new aviation movie, "Amelia", check out this great link maintained by Purdue University, which has posted more than 2,200 images related to Amelia Earhart:

http://www.lib.purdue.edu/spcol/aearhart/

--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

NASA Edge Ares I-X Live

I was so excited this morning when I read that the wonderful people at NASA Edge posted the latest vodcast. It is on AresI-X Live. I was unable to watch the live version, but happily it can be downloaded at the link below. It's so huge it is in two downloads! Cool!

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/podcasting/nasaedge/index.html

By the way, if you are on facebook, add NASA Edge as a friend and check out their wall. They currently have several behind-the-scenes videos as well as cool (and funny) photos.
Enjoy!
--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

The Blending of Art and Science

The blending of art with science is discussed in this great article that was recently posted by the National Science Foundation.

http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=115620&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1

--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

Students Build ROV

A great article by the National Science Foundation on students who built an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle). There is a yearly competition for students enrolled in MATE (the Marine Advanced Technology Education) class.
http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=115553&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1
--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

Compass and Rule Online Exhibit

Photo courtesy of the Museum of the History of Science in Oxford

There is a really exciting online exhibit on the Museum of the History of Science located in Oxford. It is called, "Compass and Rule" and has several awesome videos that show how architectural pen and ink drawings were done in previous times.
http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/compassandrule/
--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

Cute Yet Therapeutic Robots

An interesting article from the IEEE about the new breed of cute, therapeutic robots:
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/video/robotics/medical-robots/the-invasion-of-cute-therapeutic-robots
--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

Environmental Issues: Stop Scaring People

Photo courtesy of http://www.bluefizzure.com/
Part of the reason I started this blog was to talk about the happy part of science and nature. I feel like there is an excessive amount of negative and downright scary things going on in the world today. Not that we shouldn't be aware of them, but just like the nightly news (and any online news) most of it is negative, scary, and out of our control.
When I was conducting research lately, I found a great article that was more geared toward science teachers in grade school, but I thought the key points were valid in general. It was from a science teaching magazine.
Consider developmental appropriateness for the content being taught:

• Keep the project focused close to home, in your region
• Focus on keeping the overall tone of the project positive
• Focus on controllable things, and let the student take the lead
• The environmental concepts should be focused on your curriculum
• Foster creativity on the project you are creating, and brainstorm solutions

--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

Take a Wetlands Walk

Photo courtesy of www.takeawalk.com

There is a great book series for all nature lovers, called "Take a Wetlands Walk" by Stillwater Publishing.

http://www.takeawalk.com/wetlands-walk/
Check out the nature blogs on the sight as well. A great reference tool for science teachers.
--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

Virtual Vacation Book

Photo courtesy of www.amazon.com
While I was conducting some science research, I came across a cool book, "Over the Rivers: An Aerial View of Geology" by Michael Collier.

http://www.amazon.com/Over-Rivers-Aerial-View-Geology/dp/1931414211

If you love beautiful aerial photography of geology wonders, check out this book.
--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

NASA Edge Apollo XI 40th Anniversary

NASA Edge just posted another vodcast, check it out:
www.nasa.gov/nasaedge

My buddies Franklin ("everyman"), Blair ("the outsider") and Chris ("the insider") interview "Mr. Apollo" (Ed Kilgore) from Apollo 11.

My favorite quote:

"A representative of a MUCH LARGER cake"

:)

Great jobs, guys!
--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

HBR and the Future of Stores

When I was at my college (the one my Bachelor's degree is from, not the other eight i've attended) I was reading the latest issue of Harvard Business Review. I haven't read it much lately, since I had to do a lot of case studies for my Master's degree. I remember enjoying reading it, and I was conducting research to discover HBR's predictions for the future, based on changes in the economy.

One particular article caught my attention. It was written by a woman who is an interior designer. She discussed how numerous malls have many stores folding. At first I thought, "well isn't that depressing." But I kept reading. What I thought was neat was that this will be a trend, but it's making way for a happier environment.

Imagine more "pedestrian friendly", beautiful areas, that have housing (think cool condos), stores that are more individualized, a nice coffee shop, library, ice skating rink, etc. Basically, a nice little "cozy" happy mini world.

Now, that sounded MUCH nicer than the huge, crowded outlet and mega malls of today. Which I suppose do serve a purpose, if you're in the market for the best deal on a new pair of workout shoes or your blender took a dive and you want a great price. But, many will go online in order to find the best deals, especially around the stressful holidays.

I haven't really liked "going to the mall" much since I was in college. Too noisy, too crowded, too many people, too many screaming children. Plus, the incredible aroma from Cinnabon and the various pizza chains are way too tempting.

As I was driving home from the library, my mind started meandering, and I thought, it's kind of like my first college. I loved it. It was a small, private college. The dorms, meal area, gym, swimming pool, and hang out areas were in one building. Classrooms were in the other building. They were connected by a beautiful arched walkway. Or, if it was winter, you could take the underground tunnel between the two. I loved it! And beautiful architecture, landscaping, fountain, arches, and trees galore. It was, and still is, my favorite college.

Also, it's kind of like Star Trek (The Next Generation, that is the only one I know and love). You have your holodeck where you can go, and be and do anything you want. You have the bar area to hang out and drink beautiful concoctions and socialize. You have your own living quarters (which appear to be nice and quite, and a great place to go when desiring solitude). You can walk pretty much anywhere. A nice, happy, little living community. Actually, when I was in college, I used to pretend I was a starfleet academy cadet (yes I have quite a vivid imagination). Especially when I took my physics-based astronomy class in the evening. I had my whole world right there. It was fabulous. No "big 10" for me, thank you.
It is definitely one future prediction that I think is a wonderful idea.
--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

Safety Cones - Part Deux

Okay, so you might have read my post about safety cones. Well, I actually broke down and bought one the other day. Not purple, green, yellow, or red. Orange. Safety Orange, to be exact. I bought it at Northern Tool.

The guy working there was quite entertained. I found a fabric, "collapsible" type. A guy was on a ladder nearby, and asked if I needed any help.

I asked "do you have any NORMAL safety cones?" as I pointed dejectedly to the strange mutant collapsible cone.

"Oh" he said, "they are on the other side, in the middle aisle, you can't miss them." I guess it wasn't such a strange request after all.

So off I went, in search of safety cones.

Who knew they had so many "types". Taller, VERY tall, little, and ones with white reflective safety tape.

I picked the most "normal" one I could find. And I took it home. It actually looks quite at-home in my office.

I've also become more aware of safety cones I see "out in the real world" and note their type, habitat, "job", and their condition.

I decided that safety cones are a lot like humans.

It doesn't matter if they are "bad" safety cones. It doesn't matter if they are "good" safety cones.

Some are in areas of high importance. Some have almost "regal" jobs. Some show a lot of wear and tear due to their function and location, while others guard important areas inside of buildings, and are kept all shiny and new.

On the freeway today, on the concrete middle, I saw a safety cone that really intrigued me. It was covered in clear plastic. As if to protect it from the rain, elements, road gook.

Why? Did someone care about protecting it? Was it a special cone?

It doesn't really matter.

As it made me smile. :)

--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

NASA Edge Orion Sims Episode Released

If you don't know who NASA Edge is, and you love space stuff and have a sense of humor, you need to check them out.
They released a latest vodcast on Orion Sims. Check it out, as well as the many other vodcasts they have. You could have your own NASA Edge marathon! I usually right-click and save them, then open them for future viewings.

www.nasa.gov/nasaedge

Enjoy! :)
--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

Safety Cones

Photo courtesy of www.enasco.com

Safety cones, everyone knows what they are. Everyone knows that they mean "beware,", "caution," and, in general, safety.

I've always loved safety cones. I always wanted one, and before the birth of e-commerce, they were difficult to come by, unless you wanted to "permanently borrow" one from a roadside. And although i'd never do that, they were pretty beat up and stampeded on anyway, with lots of black marks.

I was thrilled to see that you can buy them online! Even my favorite store in the whole world, Nasco, has them:

Nasco Safety Cones

And yes, they come in red, yellow, blue, green, purple, and of course orange. How cool is that. You can coordinate them with your interior decorating!

And for the latest in safety cone attire, you can even purchase CONE COVERS with cute little colored numbers. Isn't that just absolutely insane!

http://www.enasco.com/product/PE03760E

I guess i'm not the only one obsessed with safety cones. They even have them outside the Seattle Art Museum. Although on a much grander scale::

http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/osp/Media/conesvideo.htm

In 2002, even Macy's used them for a window display:

http://www.carterarts.com/images/windows/macy/5-lg.jpg

It's never too late to get your kids (or yourself!) interested in safety cones. Check out this almost-like-a-sand-zen-garden playset:

http://www.searchamateur.com/product/My-Little-Sandbox-Fire-Rescue-Squad.htm

People are even making them in Second Life:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/ChibiGothiKa/SL/lastlesson.jpg

Safety cones. The new black.

--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

ISDC 2009

The International Space Development Conference for 2009 will be on May 29 through May 31st in Orlando, Florida. I won't be able to make it (very sadly) but plan on attending one in the future.
Check here for more information:

http://www.isdc2009.org/

-- Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

Non-Human Research

Two interesting articles from the National Science Foundation on the how scientific research is increasingly becoming automated compared to performed by humans.

http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=114512&govDel=USNSF_51

http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=114495&govDel=USNSF_51

--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

"Still Life: Five Glass Surfaces on a Tabletop"

The NSF (National Science Foundation) recently posted an amazing article. There are numerous types types of surfaces that cannot be seen or touched. Richard Palais and Luc Benard have been able to let us "see" these surfaces by the aid of computer graphics. Very cool, and quite beautiful as well.

http://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/mmg_disp.cfm?med_id=64695

--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

John Glenn's 42 Year Anniversary

(Photo courtesy of Nick Greene on http://www.about.com/)

Forty-two years ago today, John Glenn launched from Cape Canaveral, making America's first orbital flight (2/20/1962). He piloted the Mercury-Atlas 6 Friendship 7 spacecraft on the first manned orbital mission of the United States.
http://space.about.com/b/2004/02/20/john-glenn-first-american-to-orbit-earth.htm

--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

NASA Glenn Research Center (Cleveland, Ohio)

I get notifications from NASA's Glenn Research Center (located in Cleveland, Ohio). I came really close to actually going there, due to a two-hour business trip layover in Cleveland on the way to North Carolina last fall. Not quite enough time to hop a cab and quick run over without the risk of missing my plane. The photo I attached is sadly one I took with my camera phone of what I could see of NASA Glenn from where I stood in front of the glass windows in the airport, feeling quite sad. I do plan on going there in the future for a weekend.

You can learn more about NASA Glenn by visiting their website:

www.nasa.gov/glenn

--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

NASA Edge

You know who NASA is, right? And you know what NASA is an acronym for?

Right?

And, no, it's not "Never Any Space Available"

Check out the awesome vodcasts created by Chris, Blair, Franklin, and Jacky, for an inside and outside look at all things NASA. It is an incredibly fun way to catch up on all the interesting projects that NASA is currently working on.

www.nasa.gov/nasaedge

They are also on Facebook.

The above photo is from an episode about SOFIA (the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) and how Blair could be the first medianaut onboard, playing at the piano bar. See, his master's degree in film is paying off! :)

--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

The Tale of the Whale

Photo courtesy of f0rbe5 on Flickr

I was listening to the Spa Channel on XM Radio, and heard "Tale of the Whale" come on, by Michael Gettel. It made me feel so alive and full of emotion, and I absolutely loved it. It is incredibly haunting.

I also love "Summer Rain," which I highly recommend if you love rain and thunderstorms as much as I do.

--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

Mossy Bath Mat

I stumbled across this incredible bath mat. It is made of round sections of moss. It grows and thrives wonderfully in your bathroom from the steam and from your wet feet. I can't even imagine how awesome it feels on your toes!

http://www.greendaily.com/2009/01/20/the-living-moss-bath-mat/

--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

The Smallest Aquariums Ever

I stumbled across the smallest, cutest, and insanely microscopic aquariums:

http://www.aquahobby.com/tanks/e_tank0603.php

--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/

Beekite Ring

I am a member of a fossil list, and found this great photo and information in my inbox. It was stated as an interesting fossil find, identified as a "beekite ring", that was found when sifting through the shale in St Louis, Missouri. It is commonly found in Nebraska, and is related to Pennsylvanian fossils in Utah and Nebraska.

The reference for the posted article link is:
Loope, D. B., and Watkins, D. K., 1989, Pennsylvanian fossils replaced by red chert: early oxidation of pyritic precursors: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 59, no. 3, p. 375-386.

I go to a few fossil shows a year, especially one in Jefferson, Wisconsin.

http://www.lakeneosho.org/Paleolist/99/index.html

--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/