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/