Alom Shaha invited me to create a video about Why science is important for his grand project compiling answers from experts in science and education. The video below is my idea. I
had to come up with something that I didn't think anyone else would. I watched a lot of the videos, but not every
last one, so here's hoping there's no redundancy. I consider it a bit over
the top compared to my usual style. I notice that when I wear purple, I speak more seductively.
Hmmmm. I use this unusual observation to point out the important concept of correlation vs. causality.
Something seems a little askew when the senate can declare Pluto
a planet, at least if you are in the boundaries of the great state of Illinois, but ok, I like Pluto, no matter what we classify
it as. Do we need an excuse to celebrate? Eat a cupcake or something. Oh, and Phil Plait's Bad Astronomy site has
a cool "Ten things you didn't know about Pluto" which is informative and visually appealing. Check it
out here.
I don't believe U of I has any plans for
Pluto Day, but I could be wrong. What I do know is that it is the Engineering Open House today and tomorrow. Great students showcasing what they know! Always very well done and interactive. As U of
I is one has one of the top engineering schools in the nation, you know it will be good! Here's my review of Neil
deGrasse Tyson's The Pluto Files.
If you watched my video of Jim Nardi's book Life in the Soil , you know how I am in awe of his amazing drawings. Jim was so kind as to send me two of his color drawings so you can take
a look for yourself. Enjoy!
I will be making two new videos. The first is at the request
of Alom Shaha on Why science is important. He asked me to give my opinion. Keeping it to two to three minutes will be a challenge. Also, for my About Joanne
page, I will replace that ramble at the top with a video explaining almost the same thing. Keep an eye out.
I posted two video reviews.....the first you can see above this
post. It is of Neil deGrasse Tyson's new book The Pluto Files. The book was extremely enjoyable!
I also posted a video review of a book by entomologist at the University of Illinois,
Jim Nardi called Life in the Soil. Perfect for naturalists and gardeners.
David Bradley of sciencebase science blog has started compiling a map of scientific locations. He has a good start and has the makings of something quite amazing. I suggested he consult Chasing Science:Science as a Spectator Sport by Frederik Pohl for ideas. I had done a video review of that book. In that I shared my ideas for the impossible dream of outreach laboratories as well as traveling the
world visiting all the science sites I possibly could. Preferably I would be filmed doing it and be paid very well.
I also want to remind you to sign up for
the Science Book Reading Challenge 2009. Jeff Shaumeyer (who writes me lovely long notes as he has time) and I have been having extensive conversations of the role of science
books in helping to allow science to integrate into culture. A kindred spirit, indeed!
You just sign up and when you finish a science book (focus on
the natural world this year) you tell us all about it!! I know some of you will read a science book here and there, so why
not?
Kindly, Joanne
PS, of course I will have to mention that Obama's reversal of Bush's stem cell policy
is a good way to get scientists interacting again and opens the door for more funding in this area. Now we have more tools
in our toolbox, which is usually a good thing!
I went up to Rochester, Michigan this past weekend to hang out for
a bit with the author of Evil Genes, Barbara Oakley. Her book was the first book review I did. We had a wonderful time together,as she was quite the attentive host, her
family was lovely and she was enthusiastic about many of the same things I am--mainly books and science!
She was asked to give a talk at a bookstore and I tagged along and even had
a chance to tell about my video book reviews as well as to tell the Girl Scout troop that came by about the GAMES (Girl's Adventures in Math and Engineering Sciences) camp.
This
darling bookstore is called As the Page Turns and when I walked in I was amazed at how small it was and surprised it was still in existence despite competition from the
likes of Borders and Barnes and Noble, especially considering that a larger independent bookstore in town here, Pages for
All Ages, fell victim to the economy.
The owner
is a lovely, intelligent, savvy and giving woman. She shared with me and Barbara about the outreach and community service
she does for her customers. If you want to order a book from there, you should, they can order just about anything you
like. I happened to purchase Born Digital:Understanding the first generation of Digital Natives from there. Good possibility I will review it.
Barbara and I did a reading from the last chapter of The Origin of Species
for a project called Darwin Aloud.It was cold and rainy but we got through it! We were in front of Meadowbrook mansion, which belonged to the widow of one of the Dodge brothers. A very beautiful place to visit.
The power outage yesterday killed some of the cells, but I should be able
to get them back before lab next week.
) and I have been having extensive conversations of the role of science
books in helping to allow science to integrate into culture. A kindred spirit, indeed! 
