Came across this video a few days ago and its message really resonated with me.
Research isn’t just for the scientists who do it. It’s for everyone:
“Scientists, engineers, mathematicians and technologists … they are the ones that make tomorrow come.”
- Neil deGrasse Tyson -
Ahh … this week was awesome.
Slept in til 8:30 most days. Ran in the morning. Sauntered into lab around 11:00. Finished my paper. Learned a ton about Everglades research.
Gives me a taste of the day when my classes will be finished and I can make my own work schedule again …
Sorry, no photos of the beach here – This is the way I relaxed during my spring break:
Happy weekend!
Space has always been a fascination of mine – So when I came across this link a few weeks ago I just couldn’t stop looking at it!
It’s a high-definition, zoomable, 360-degree panoramic view of the night sky … How cool is that!?
I’ve been meaning to do another pointillism-style embroidery so I figured what better inspiration that the evening sky?
Here it is, “The Final Frontier” (can you tell Jim and I have been watching a lot of Star Trek recently?):
It took a few weeks for me to find enough collective time to finish each of those hundreds of French knots, but it was totally worth it.
Does space inspire you?
Putting together this week has got me thinking about what made me wander into the field of science in the first place, and I’m pretty sure I know the answer: my Mom.
Growing up, she encouraged my curiosity in everything. She would take my sister and I on hiking trails, climbing over rocks and trudging through woods. She would put on water shoes and wade in creeks with us, catching salamanders and looking for fish. Even at home, she would make up easy experiments for us using basic kitchen supplies.
The following is one of these homemade experiments I remember vividly – It is so simple, but it really captures the imagination.
Supplies:
Directions:
The raisins will immediately sink to the bottom. Over the period of a few minutes, you will begin to see bubbles forming in the nooks and crannies of each raisin. When a raisin gathers forms enough bubbles on its surface, it will become buoyant and magically float to the top of the glass! When it reaches the top, some bubbles will pop and the raisin will sink once more. This process will repeat itself several times, demonstrating the principal of buoyancy!
The floating paper clip and the pepper and water trick are two other fun, kid-friendly experiments I remember well.
So I just wanted to say “Thanks, Mom” for inspiring me more than you think you did – And I encourage you to try these experiments with your own kids! Don’t have kids? Do them yourself! It’s fun, it’s interesting – And it’s always awesome to know you are learning something new.
Also a shout-out to YOU for following along with me this week – I had a blast breaking down some science-y goodness for you and I hope you found some of it intriguing!
I’d like to do this again sometime, if you have any topic requests, I’d be happy to entertain them. Also, don’t forget to include links to any science-related post of your own in the comments!
And remember, 15% off at my shop until November 23rd by using coupon code SCIENCEWEEK at checkout!!
See you next week!
