Taste the science

Hello World, 

Here is something interesting, just in time for the holidays, a digital lollipop! http://news.yahoo.com/digital-lollipop-zap-tongue-flavor-130503126.html?soc_src=copy 

Science is seriously techie & tasty! :)

Arithmophobia no more

Hello World!
Did you know that Arithmophobia is the fear of numbers? It is true. Maybe numbers are not the problem so much as it is what you have to do with them that frightens you; two-thirds of Americans loathe or fear math... The good news is, it can be overcome! Here are some simple ways to work at it http://www.radford.edu/content/LARC/home/learning-guides/math/math-anxiety.html (pairing it with chocolate helps too, I have found).
:)

Don't be fearful of Science or STEM!

Hello World,
I am back, haunting the html world. Things have been quite busy, with giving STEM talks, creating STEM programs and actually doing research. That is the life of a scientist, always something to do! In honor of the 31st, I share this fun article on the science of fear.
http://www.today.com/health/why-we-be-scared-science-behind-scream-8C11469347
Don't be frightened though, science is fun!
:)

Science smells good

Hello World!

Today I had the fun of seeing and smelling my friend's perfumery. 

The science of scent (olfactory sense) is really quite interesting. From the million dollar perfume industry to the chemistry of odors to the psychology of scent to capitalizing off your sensitive sniffing capabilities there is a scented STEM path for you if you are interested. Did you know that dogs and humans have the same type of olfactory receptors? We do! The big difference is that dogs have millions more. To learn about the science of smell check out this site or read a good sensation and perception book (I like Goldstein)

http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/human-biology/smell.htm

Have a great smelling STEM day!

:)

What do braces, power tools, swimsuits, and water filters have in common?

Hello World!

What do invisible braces, ear thermometers, swimsuits, memory foam, water filters,hand power tools (and more) have in common? They were all brought about by NASA! See this link for more information, who knows, maybe You will invent something for society too! 

10 Everyday NASA Inventions http://msnvideo.msn.com/#/video/cf8d7ec2-16cd-41c7-9f42-558f61bd1dbd

:)

Whale earwax

Hello World!

The other day I was talking to my local librarian and we got to the discussion of whale earwax. I don't remember how that happened, but what I do remember is that she told me that whale ear canals absorb all the toxins in the environment. They wax acts as a sort of thermometer for how well anti pollution efforts are going and to help determine whether or not there are still chemicals that have long since been banned (sadly, these agents are still lurking!). I will share the source of this knowledge soon. In the meantime, just imagine all the other careers out there! I certainly didn't know analyzing whale ear wax was one, but science never ceases to amaze!

:)

Science of sound

Hello World!

Did you know that you can study both music and the brain? You can! Music has a unique impact on brain waves, from helping people with Alzheimer's to motivating people to move. One of my favorite films is "the musical brain", you can also read more in this recent article 

http://gma.yahoo.com/former-grateful-dead-drummers-brain-activity-recorded-while-101406325--abc-news-topstories.html?vp=1

May we all find our rhythm in STEM 

:)