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/
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
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
http://www.bluefizzure.com/
Take a Wetlands Walk
Photo courtesy of www.takeawalk.comThere 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.
If you love beautiful aerial photography of geology wonders, check out this book.
--Elizabeth
http://www.bluefizzure.com/
Thursday, July 16, 2009
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"
:)
Friday, July 10, 2009
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/
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.
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?
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
