Speaking (as we were) of pro-science film festivals, Sigma Xi (the scientific research honor society– think Phi Beta Kappa for science nerds) is announcing a student film competition: In conjunction with a year-long focus on the issue of water, Sigma Xi is sponsoring a competition for three-minute student films on aspects of this precious and… Continue reading Sigma Xi Film Festival: Short Films About Water
Author: Chad Orzel
Film Festival Query
Having suggested an on-line pro-science film festival a little while ago, I should report that there are discussions underway (or at least in the works) about trying to make something happen. If it goes anywhere, it may look different than the original suggestion, but I’m kind of curious about one aspect of the original idea.… Continue reading Film Festival Query
Familiarity and Lies-to-Children
One of the interesting things to come out of the switch to Matter & Interactions for our intro classes has been some discussion among my colleagues of how the books treat specific topics. A couple of people have raised concerns that the coverage of certain topics is different from the traditional presentation, in a way… Continue reading Familiarity and Lies-to-Children
Thanks for the Science Stuff
Thank-you cards and notes have been trickling in from the DonorsChoose fundraiser last fall, most of which I haven’t bothered to post. The latest batch had two pictures that were too good not to pass along, though: And:
links for 2008-05-01
Dawn of the memristor – physicsworld.com “In simple terms, a memristor “remembers” the amount of charge that has flowed through it and as a result changes its resistance. “ (tags: physics materials science news) Where are all the women? – The Planetary Society Blog | The Planetary Society Venus. (tags: astronomy planets gender science blogs)… Continue reading links for 2008-05-01
Scientists Don’t Have to Do Everything Themselves
The Mad Biologist, like 80% of ScienceBlogs, is mad at Chris Mooney: Here’s the problem: you keep coming to evolutionary biologists with a problem (the perception of evolutionary biology), and you don’t have a solution. Do you think there’s a single evolutionary biologist who is happy with public opinion regarding evolution and creationism? But you’re… Continue reading Scientists Don’t Have to Do Everything Themselves
The Telegraph Steals My Ideas
Via Swans On Tea, an article in the Telegraph about the Greatest Experiments in Science. Been there, done that, picked a winner. Over two years ago. Way to go, Torygraph. OK, fine, they did all of science, while I was only looking for the greatest experiment in physics. But, really, can any of those stamp… Continue reading The Telegraph Steals My Ideas
A Flock of Dodos
Randy Olson’s movie A Flock of Dodos comes up again and again in the course of arguments about public communication of science, but I had never gotten around to seeing it. I finally put it on the Netflix queue, and ended up watching it last night. For those who have been living in caves and… Continue reading A Flock of Dodos
links for 2008-04-30
Japan, a Brief Pop-Cultural Survey | The A.V. Club “Japan: land of the rising sun. […] Home to high-quality electronics, bizarre game shows, and vending machines that dispense beer and used girls’ panties (not together…yet).” (tags: Japan culture society silly) Confessions of a Community College Dean: Between the Dog and the Fire Hydrant “Why would… Continue reading links for 2008-04-30
God and Physics
Via the Zeitgeist, the Templeton Foundation has asked a bunch of famous smart people “Does science make belief in God obsolete?” I wouldn’t ordinarily note this, but if you scroll down a little, you’ll find my thesis advisor, Bill Phillips, who offers an “Absolutely Not!”: [A] scientist can believe in God because such belief is… Continue reading God and Physics