November 5, 2021 Today in 1906, Marie Curie gave her inaugural lecture as the first woman lecturer at the Sorbonne. She explained the theory of ions in gases and her treatise on radioactivity. Madame Curie would become a Nobel prize winner and authority on radioactivity. Marie Curie and her daughter Irène in the laboratory after… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: November 4, 2021
November 4, 2021 New moon occurs today starting lunation 1223. Additionally, Uranus reaches opposition tomorrow at midnight. If you have binoculars, you can find the planet in the constellation Aries. Location of the planet Uranus in the constellation Aries. Also labeled for reference are the Pleiades star cluster and the star Menkar in the constellation… Continue reading
Artifact of the Week: Hornet Nest
Did you know that hornets construct their homes from saliva and wood pulp they chew and then shape into a nest? These paper-like structures are built in areas with plenty of shade and protection from the elements. The size of the nest is determined by the size of the colony, and some can grow to… Continue reading
Astronomy Fact of the Day: November 2, 2021
November 2, 2021 Looking south tonight at 7 pm, you will find the planets Jupiter and Saturn. Those with a telescope, have a chance to see the Great Red Spot transiting across the visible face of Jupiter. The Great Red Spot will already be transiting once it becomes dark and will continue to be visible… Continue reading
Makerspace Shelves: Create Your Own Rube Goldberg Machine
Create Your Own Rube Goldberg Machine A Rube Goldberg machine, named after the American cartoonist Rube Goldberg, is a chain-reaction machine that uses purposely overcomplicated methods to accomplish a simple task. You can make your own by creating a series of simple machines like ramps, levers and pulleys! You will need: Supplies: Variety of household… Continue reading
Makerspace Shelves: Cardboard Engineering
Cardboard Engineering Try your hand at a variety of engineering skills using the simplest building material – cardboard! Turn your cardboard into a robot or a creation all your own. You will need: Supplies: Corrugated cardboard Tools: (use with a grown-up’s permission) Hot glue gun Scissors X-acto knife
Makerspace Shelves: Learn to Play Exquisite Corpse
Learn to Play Exquisite Corpse! This fun drawing game uses chance and teamwork to create surreal drawings. You will need: Supplies: Drawing implements of any kind Paper Family and friends
Astronomy Fact of the Day: November 1, 2021
November 1, 2021 Today in 1884, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) was adopted universally at a meeting of the International Meridian Conference in Washington, DC, USA. From then the International Date Line was drawn up and 24 time zones created. Standard time zones of the world. Credit: United States Central Intelligence Agency
Astronomy Fact of the Day: November 3, 2021
November 3, 2021 Today in 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 with the first live animal sent into space – a Siberian husky dog, Laika. Biological data, the first data of its kind, was transmitted back to Earth and showed scientists how Laika was adapting to space. The craft was not planned for recovery,… Continue reading
Makerspace Shelves: Build Your Own Automaton
Build Your Own Automaton! An automaton is a machine that animates a figure using a hand-crank. Automata have been made for over 2,000 years by many cultures. In Greek, the name translates to “acting of one’s own will.” Gather your supplies and tools, then watch the video to learn how to create your own automaton… Continue reading