Category Archives: Education

Useful things for teachers of biology (and other subjects)

Call for Artwork: U.S. State Dep’t Marine Debris Art Challenge

Posted on September 23, 2013 by cicada

Have you made artwork out of marine debris? The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans & International Environmental & Scientific Affairs is inviting submissions to the “Marine Debris Art Challenge” (hosted at flickr). Entries must: list your country, specify … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Education, Events, Science in culture & policy, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Call for Artwork: U.S. State Dep’t Marine Debris Art Challenge

October 5: NYC Festival of Medical History and the Arts

Posted on September 23, 2013 by cicada

Due to some very unfortunate trip planning on my part, I will be on the other side of the country when some of my favorite people appear at the Festival of Medical History and the Arts in three weeks. Don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs and Blogging, Education, Events, History of Science, Medical Illustration and History, Science in culture & policy | Comments Off on October 5: NYC Festival of Medical History and the Arts

The evolutionary history of feathers

Posted on September 21, 2013 by cicada

If you haven’t already read Brian Switek’s My Beloved Brontosaurus (the New York Times called it “a delight,” and said “[t]his may be the one book for catching up on what has become of the dinosaurs you thought you knew … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Books, Education, Museum Lust, Science, Science Journalism | Comments Off on The evolutionary history of feathers

Friday Frivolity: Concepts in Ant Farm Design

Posted on September 20, 2013 by cicada

Jeff Schwarting didn’t like the pre-fab plastic look of commercial ant farms, so he designed a farm of his own and put it on Kickstarter. His farm uses “space gel,” which serves as food source, water source, and tunneling medium. I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Conspicuous consumption, Education, Ephemera, Frivolity | Comments Off on Friday Frivolity: Concepts in Ant Farm Design

A Chemical Imbalance: Gender equity in STEM education

Posted on September 9, 2013 by cicada

A Chemical Imbalance is a documentary project about gender inequities in STEM and academia. It explores the reasons for gender disparities and the “leaky pipeline” – i.e., the gradual attrition of female scientists as their scientific careers progress. Today, only … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs and Blogging, Education, Film, Video & Music, Gender Issues, History of Science, Science, Science in culture & policy | Comments Off on A Chemical Imbalance: Gender equity in STEM education

Of Money and Science: Two Book Reviews

Posted on May 18, 2012 by cicada

Paula Stephan’s observation that “not all science is created equal when it comes to funding” will not surprise any researcher who ever labored over a grant. Drugmonkey’s blog is a particularly good source of insight into how the NIH grant … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Book reviews, Books, Conspicuous consumption, Education, Littademia, Science, Science in culture & policy | Comments Off on Of Money and Science: Two Book Reviews

Lunch Break: The Constructal Law

Posted on March 22, 2012 by cicada

I’ve been reading a book called Design in Nature, by Adrian Bejan and J. Peder Zane. It’s an extremely thought-provoking book and I haven’t fully decided what I want to say about it, so my review is still coming, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Book reviews, Books, Design, Education, Film, Video & Music, Science, Web 2.0, New Media, and Gadgets | Comments Off on Lunch Break: The Constructal Law

Conservation photography as social change

Posted on March 3, 2012 by cicada

A few days ago, Sheril told me that I had to watch an amazing short film by Neil Ever Osborne. The video is ~20 minutes long, so I wasn’t able to find time until this morning, but I highly encourage … Continue reading →

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Education, Film, Video & Music, Photography, Science in culture & policy, Science Journalism | Comments Off on Conservation photography as social change

For quantifiably chic kitchens

Posted on February 4, 2012 by cicada

A new trend? Measurement/conversion towels seem to be everywhere. . . Towel by Bailey Doesn’t Bark, at Anthropologie ($32)

Posted in Conspicuous consumption, Design, Education, Retrotechnology | Comments Off on For quantifiably chic kitchens

“Jesus is God’s Atomic Bomb,” and other lyrical classics

Posted on February 3, 2012 by cicada

Conelrad’s fascinating cold war culture jukebox, Atomic Platters, offers lyrics and historical context spanning several decades of popular atomic-themed music. Many of the songs unsurprisingly convey a sense of unprecedented, un-romanticized astonishment and awe. Consider the following gem:

Posted in Education, Ephemera, Film, Video & Music, History of Science, Science in culture & policy, Yikes! | Comments Off on “Jesus is God’s Atomic Bomb,” and other lyrical classics