Relative sizes, a few shout outs and science on TV
I ran across a youtube video comparing the relative sizes of planets and
stars with respect to the moon. Thought you might like to see it!
Let's add this other fabulous
imagination video. What if the earth had rings like Saturn? How would that look from your town? I had NEVER considered this
possibility before. I'm certain it took a bit of math to get the perspective right, but it is worth it! Also, you can review
a bit of geography and enjoy one of Franz Schubert's most famous compositions! Check it out! The video did not go into all
possible ramifications of having rings (like shadows blocking sunlight to vegetation) but this is phenomenal nonetheless.
I absolutely wish
I could embed this image to the website, but can't so you'll have to link to the page. Go there, it is worth it. It is a comparison of objects from
the size of a coffee bean down to the size of a carbon atom. This means you'll see the paramecium, an antibody and many other
tiny objects in between, just by moving the cursor underneath the image!
Now, I want to emphasize that there are many, many amazing people out there doing outreach to kids and the general
public. Let me highlight a few for you.
First, I want to acknowledge my very clever friend Jeff Shaumeyer at Scienticity.
He cares very much about the level of science knowledge each of us should possess. To this end, each year he challenges us
to read three science books and prove it by reviewing them on the website! Click here to find out more!
If you are thinking, "I'm just a regular person, how can
I be involved in science?" Well, it's quite easy: you become a citizen scientist. I have done some citizen science via
a program formerly in Illinois called Forest Watch where a group of us were trained to identify and count plants, measure trees and monitor invasive species for
data collection. I've also participated in the incredibly fun BioBlitz which raises awareness about local biodiversity!
Darlene Cavalier at Science Cheerleader has many great ideas and even some basic science tutorials you can enjoy and learn something from. We have discovered that
we have a lot in common, starting with the fact that we have a slightly unconventional background. She was a Philadelphia
76er cheerleader and I, of course, was a professional model. The similarities don't end there. I am currently doing my book
reviews in collaboration with her and her "squad"!
You
may not be aware that I am on the advisory panel for the International Young Scientists Journal. This is where young people can publish results of their own independent research. It is written, edited and published by
young researchers ages 12-21. Did you work hard and follow all the guidelines of science, setting up controls, taking data,
and presenting it for a science fair project and then...that's it? Would you like to have a better sense of what it takes
to get your work published? It is the perfect next step!
Finally, I will leave you with a great cartoon from PhD comics about how science is portrayed on TV. It may be great entertainment, but, boy, do they get it wrong sometimes! I'm highly tempted to buy my own channel and make my own science TV!
A Review of I See Rude People and a new page to this site
I've added a new page to this site, basically listing some of the beliefs that form the foundation of this site.
The
main purpose of this site, as I see it, other than being a place to put my musings about science in a giant file folder everyone
can see, is to hopefully spark interest in science. Either I hope it will maintain an interest that is already there or it
will spark a latent curiosity that had been lost to a poor science experience at some point in one's life.
And, one
more book review for you. This is a book by Amy Alkon that isn't a science book, per se, but definitely has elements of science throughout. It is clever and humorous! Check out
her book I See Rude People: One Woman's Battle to Beat some Manners into Impolite Society
(fair warning, it does have some "colorful"
language that I don't mind reading but am not in the habit of using. Also, depending on your sensibilities, her website may
not suit your style)
First, I want to acknowledge my very clever friend Jeff Shaumeyer at Scienticity.
He cares very much about the level of science knowledge each of us should possess. To this end, each year he challenges us
to read three science books and prove it by reviewing them on the website! Click 
Forest Watch where a group of us were trained to identify and count plants, measure trees and monitor invasive species for
data collection. I've also participated in the incredibly fun 
