Bling in the night sky

Hello World, 

Do you like shiny sparkly things? I know I do! The best sparkle, I think, comes from our night sky. 

                    (Image from NASA)

But for those who prefer gemstones, stay tuned! Next time we will discuss the science & truth (or not) of recent news on celebrity "cornea searing" rings :) 

Hurray for GoldieBlox!

Hello World!
I was so pleased to see this article
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/no-more-ironing-boards-engineer-aims-reinvent-toys-girls-6C10629732
A female engineer has put together kits that encourage girls to build, design, and engineer their way through a story with GoldieBlox, the main character. This kit will be sold in major toy stores. This product is very important because socially girls do not grow up tinkering with engines or building things, which inhibits spatial skills needed in many STEM careers. Now girls can obtain those skills in a manner that speaks to them! Plus, not everyone has old cars or lives in a space that will allow for such tinkering. (For girls who did not get spatial skill development, there are training programs that will help you catch up (see prior post or AAUW report why so few?)).

GoldiBlox inventor Debbie Sterling. Picture from MSN news article and GoldieBlox

 

I didn't grow up looking at engines, but I do remember watching and helping my dad build barns, sheds, and all manner of things. I also remember trying to play with my brothers electronic set too (it was a boring gray color). I like that she based her product on research and watched the difference in play between boys and girls. She found a way to merge differences in styles and I appreciate that she doesn't just paint it pink, nor take away from "being a girl". I hope her future products feature characters that represent women from all cultures and stories. In any case, pretty awesome that you can be a women, an engineer, an entrepreneur, and a major positive social change agent! Love this!

How to Wash Your Hair in Space

Hello World!

I was just thinking it might be time for a fashion related entry... Thankfully I saw this article http://www.nbcnews.com/science/shampooing-outer-space-will-make-your-hair-stand-end-6C10597634
with great advice on how to wash your hair in space! 

It is far out, yes, but not impossible to think this may come in handy someday. STEM can take you pretty neat places you never expected to go. It has for me and I hope it will for you.

 :)

Moon illusion explained

Hello World!

I thought I'd finally share what makes the moon so pretty and big on the horizon but so normal overhead. 

We know the moon is not changing size as it travels, so why the difference? 

It is our eyes! And our brain. Most people can relate to pain as an external stimulus felt internally and subject to interpretation. Vision is the same! We have physical stimuli that is translated by our brain into the world we see- what we see is an interpretation of physical stimuli. This translation comes with rules learned over time for most, which can lead the brain to see things not as they are but as it believes it to be, which can be incorrect, as in the moon, but beautiful. For a more STEM specific explanation, check out the links below!

:)

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2008/16jun_moonillusion/

http://www.technologyreview.com/view/509966/moon-illusion-new-theory-reignites-debate-over-why-moon-appears-larger-near-the-horizon/