I was first introduced to the works of David Macaulay by a friend with a big book about castles, cathedrals, and mosques. I was enthralled by the methods that our ancestors used to erect the architectural wonders of the world. Instead of removing the awe of wonder, it increased it by showing me the ingenuity … Continue reading The (New) Way Things Work
Science
Neuroscience and Education
It has been a busy month for me and I regret that I haven't posted more. I hope to have more time over the Christmas season to tweak the site a bit and add a little content. In the meantime, let me post about what I have been up to. An assignment for a theory … Continue reading Neuroscience and Education
Amazing Animations!
They say a picture say a thousand words. How about an animation? Jake and Wes O'Neal are the creative brains and graphic-design brawn behind the amazingly illuminating animations of Animagraffs. In the same spirit as The Way Things Work but with the visual flair of Interactive Simulations, Animagraffs breaks down everyday technological and natural wonders into their … Continue reading Amazing Animations!
Droppin’ the Ocean
I love photos that say so much. That's why when I found this simple graphic I had to share it. It speaks for itself. It is better on the website. I have shared my interest in visualizing scale elsewhere. Please let me know if you have any interesting sites or images that show the scale of … Continue reading Droppin’ the Ocean
Is Magic More Than A Theory?
I came across a cool visual representation of Bloom's Taxonomy created by Rex Heer. It is a 3D stair-like structure that really drives home the way in which tasks and cognitive functions relate. I have written about alternative ways to view the ol' Taxonomy elsewhere, and I still believe in its utility. But I came across … Continue reading Is Magic More Than A Theory?
Born to Drive…Safely
I saw Graham in a variety of news outlets, so I wouldn't be surprised of you already heard about this interactive science and awareness project conceived by Project Zero, an initiative to reduce road accidents and deaths put together from various agencies in the Australian state of Victoria. Admittedly, the creature that they have rendered … Continue reading Born to Drive…Safely
Explore More!
I am a huge fan of Museums and other species of exhibitionary locations. (Is there a word for the planetarium/science/interactive exhibition/type place that I am talking about?) In St. John's, my favorite school days are visits to the Fluvarium, Geo Centre, or The Rooms. I count myself lucky to have such institutions available in my … Continue reading Explore More!
Simulations!
Physics can be hard, right? Even though the idea of curved space-time has been around for at least 100 years, most of us average Joes and Joelles have a hard time wrapping our heads around the concept. And so even upon the recent proof of gravitational waves many of us still have a hard time understanding … Continue reading Simulations!
The Scale of the Universe
This simple site is incredible. My sombrero (galaxy) goes off to Cary and Michael Huang for this elegant visual reference of literally everything in the observable universe. Beginning at human scales you can investigate smaller and smaller. You can fly past "smallest thing visible to the naked eye", past cells and viruses, molecules and sub-atomic particles, … Continue reading The Scale of the Universe
Khan Academy
I love Khan Academy. Their tagline says is all; “You can learn anything.” Basically you watch videos, read articles, do exercises to follow lessons for a huge variety of topics. Early math to organic chemistry. In two minutes I set up a teacher account where I can add a class full of students and track their … Continue reading Khan Academy
