I put off watching this one for a while because the title was just so dumb, honestly. Phrases like "playing God" and so forth perpetuate this image of science as a reckless, thoughtless endeavor; a field of study full of people who don't consider the consequences or repercussions of what they do. It paints this image of science as something that will ultimately doom us all and glosses over all of the good that science has brought us.
It's doubly unfortunate that Playing God has such a stupid title, then, because it's seriously the most amazing thing I've seen in a while. All of the documentaries I've watched so far have been good, of course, but this is the first that made me go, "Holy shit!"
It's another BBC production, this time hosted by Adam Rutherford. This one is all about genetics and what amazing things scientists are doing with gene splicing: goats that produce tougher-than-Kevlar spider silk in their milk, radiation treatment in tiny carbon capsules injected under astronauts' skin, purely synthetic materials created with squid camouflaging genes that will change color from the carbon dioxide in your breath, brewer's yeast that make petroleum instead of alcohol. Everything in here sounds like the stuff of science fiction, and yet scientists are creating this today.
The good: Everything. Just...everything. It also raises legitimate ethical concerns, not fluffy fear-mongering.
The bad: The documentary gives a little too much credence to the "are we meddling with what we should not?" view in some places, but for the most part avoids that trap entirely.
One interesting fact: It was all interesting, but I think my favorite part was the "citizen science" lab that was set up in the community center of some town in California. For a small membership fee, John Q. Public can now perform science experiments that, just a few years ago, were only possible to do in university laboratories. I wish something like that had been available when I was a kid!
Would recommend? A must-see. Put your NetFlix queue on hold and watch this one tonight. Seriously.
Showing posts with label science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label science. Show all posts
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Documentary Review: The Core
It's been quiet 'round these parts, hasn't it? Let's jump start things with a movie recommendation!
A few years ago, I set a goal for myself to watch one documentary and read one non-fiction book a month. I've slacked off once in a while, but the net result has been that I've seen a lot of neat documentaries I wouldn't have seen otherwise! All of the ones I'm going to mention here are available—for free!—on DocumentaryHeaven.com. So you, too, can watch at your leisure!
First up: The Core
Just what is inside our planet? Not to be confused with the schlocky Hollywood movie, this is a slick BBC documentary that slices off the crust and takes us as close as we can get to the Earth's molten center.
The good: Always very interesting and engaging. I mean, I think the molten core of the Earth is already super interesting, but I think they did a good job of making it accessible and entertaining for people who don't think so. Plus sometimes there are explosions!
The bad: There's a bit too much in terms of attempting to create "dramatic tension" or whatever: an over-acted sense of urgency in the narrator's voice, melodramatic music, and so forth. It got kind of cheesy.
One interesting fact: At the molten core of the Earth is an inner nickel-iron solid core. Due to the intense heat and pressure at the center of the planet, this nickel-iron solid is most likely in the shape of HUGE crystals multiple kilometers in size!
Would recommend? Yes!
A few years ago, I set a goal for myself to watch one documentary and read one non-fiction book a month. I've slacked off once in a while, but the net result has been that I've seen a lot of neat documentaries I wouldn't have seen otherwise! All of the ones I'm going to mention here are available—for free!—on DocumentaryHeaven.com. So you, too, can watch at your leisure!
First up: The Core
Just what is inside our planet? Not to be confused with the schlocky Hollywood movie, this is a slick BBC documentary that slices off the crust and takes us as close as we can get to the Earth's molten center.The good: Always very interesting and engaging. I mean, I think the molten core of the Earth is already super interesting, but I think they did a good job of making it accessible and entertaining for people who don't think so. Plus sometimes there are explosions!
The bad: There's a bit too much in terms of attempting to create "dramatic tension" or whatever: an over-acted sense of urgency in the narrator's voice, melodramatic music, and so forth. It got kind of cheesy.
One interesting fact: At the molten core of the Earth is an inner nickel-iron solid core. Due to the intense heat and pressure at the center of the planet, this nickel-iron solid is most likely in the shape of HUGE crystals multiple kilometers in size!
Would recommend? Yes!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Science Tattoos!
Scientists getting inked. I don't have any tattoos (yet), but I think all of these are awesome. However, when it comes to tattoos, I am a sucker for simple line art (colors fade and get weird). This one is probably my favorite:
From the article: "Lauren Caldwell’s tribute to Giovanni de’ Dondi’s 1364 Il Tractatus Astarii, the first famous Astrarium, which is a mechanical planetarium that mimics the paths of the stars and planets. In other words, it's an astronomical clock. Archimedes used a primitive model, but the first real working astrarium clock is credited to de Dondi. The backpiece here is the Mercury Wheelwork."
Are any of you inked? What science concept do you lends itself to the best tattoos?
From the article: "Lauren Caldwell’s tribute to Giovanni de’ Dondi’s 1364 Il Tractatus Astarii, the first famous Astrarium, which is a mechanical planetarium that mimics the paths of the stars and planets. In other words, it's an astronomical clock. Archimedes used a primitive model, but the first real working astrarium clock is credited to de Dondi. The backpiece here is the Mercury Wheelwork."
Are any of you inked? What science concept do you lends itself to the best tattoos?
Friday, February 18, 2011
Item of the day: Embroidered Cell
This embroidered cell by MSOE team member AlphaRabbitOnline is too cool:
And if you're handy, you can pick up a kit to make your own (with glow-in-the-dark thread)!Follow AlphaRabbitOnline on facebook.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
NASA & Etsy Space Craft Contest!
All you mad scientists (& enthusiasts) are in for a treat. The Storque announced a contest and partnership with NASA!"Etsy is partnering with NASA to host an exciting contest.
After 50 momentous years and over 130 missions to the cosmos, NASA's Space Shuttle Program will draw to a close in 2011 as it reaches its long-term goal of completing the International Space Station. To honor the program and celebrate its many accomplishments, we're calling for designs inspired by NASA, its programs and the wonders of space exploration. Invigorate your inner maker with all that is known (and unknown) about our universe.
So get on board! There are three categories under which to enter your design(s):
* 2D Original Art (painting, drawing, hand-pulled print, mixed media or flat collage)
* 2D Art Reproduction (photographic or computer-generated print)
* 3D Art (any size or material — this includes anything not 2D, wearable art and soft sculpture are acceptable)
With the whole cosmos for inspiration, the contest prizes are beyond stellar:
* Grand Prize Winner (1): The Grand Prize winner will receive a $500 Etsy shopping spree and an all-expenses-paid trip with a guest to attend the shuttle launch at Kennedy Space Center in Cocoa, Florida in February as NASA's VIP guests. Includes a VIP tour.
* Best in Category Winners (3*): Best in Category winners will receive $250 and swag from Etsy and NASA.
*Please note: the Grand Prize winner will be taken out of the running for Best in Category.
* Winning designs (or photographs of designs) may even be flown up into space on the shuttle!"
"The deadline to enter is November 2, 2010. For information on how to enter, judging criteria, official Rules and Regulations, etc., go to the NASA Space Craft Contest site. We apologize in advance that the contest is limited to United States residents only, 18 years and older."
Click on the images for a direct link to NASA's image archive, a great source of inspiration for this contest, and well, generally, when contemplating our cosmos and human acheivement.
Best of luck to all entrants!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Happy Earth Day from the MSOE Team!
While most places will be holding Earth Day celebrations this weekend (though technically Earth Day is April 22nd), we thought we'd share some eco-friendly tips from the team, as well as some eco-friendly items!
* Use felted dryer balls to aggitate in the clothes dryer to speed up drying; this uses less energy, and you can avoid fabric softener!
* Use a door snake to avoid drafts!
* Dress warmly during cold weather, instead of turning up the heat!
* Make sure your home is well insulated - this helps not only during winter months, but summer as well!
* Use alternative transportation such as walking, biking, or public transit.
* Carpooling is another great way to save money as well as lower your carbon footprint - many cities now have websites set up where carpoolers can find one another to set up car sharing!
* Buy local, especially food. If everyone ate at least one meal a week using only locally sourced food, we'd save thousands of gallons of oil a year!
* Use a surge protector/power bar for appliances, it not only provides surge protection in case of lightening, but you can easily switch off everything when you go out, to avoid the power eaten even in idle state.
* Use tote bags when shopping, and recycle those plastic bags (most grocery stores have recycling bins you can drop them off in!)
* There are many alternatives to commercially available household cleaners, such as vinegar and borax, that are eco-friendly. Check out new lines of eco-friendly commercial cleaners that are becoming more available.
And check out these great handmade, eco-friendly team items in our Earth Day treasury on Etsy!
You can visit the treasury, click and comment at
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4bd10692521d8eef77a99f38/earth-day-every-day
Happy Earth Day! And remember to celebrate it year round!
* Use felted dryer balls to aggitate in the clothes dryer to speed up drying; this uses less energy, and you can avoid fabric softener!
* Use a door snake to avoid drafts!
* Dress warmly during cold weather, instead of turning up the heat!
* Make sure your home is well insulated - this helps not only during winter months, but summer as well!
* Use alternative transportation such as walking, biking, or public transit.
* Carpooling is another great way to save money as well as lower your carbon footprint - many cities now have websites set up where carpoolers can find one another to set up car sharing!
* Buy local, especially food. If everyone ate at least one meal a week using only locally sourced food, we'd save thousands of gallons of oil a year!
* Use a surge protector/power bar for appliances, it not only provides surge protection in case of lightening, but you can easily switch off everything when you go out, to avoid the power eaten even in idle state.
* Use tote bags when shopping, and recycle those plastic bags (most grocery stores have recycling bins you can drop them off in!)
* There are many alternatives to commercially available household cleaners, such as vinegar and borax, that are eco-friendly. Check out new lines of eco-friendly commercial cleaners that are becoming more available.
And check out these great handmade, eco-friendly team items in our Earth Day treasury on Etsy!
You can visit the treasury, click and comment at
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4bd10692521d8eef77a99f38/earth-day-every-day
Happy Earth Day! And remember to celebrate it year round!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Ada Lovelace Day 2010 Profile: Ursula Franklin
Originally posted by minouette.
[...]Today, in Ada's name, people around the world are blogging about women in science and technology, whose accomplishments have all too often gone unrecognized or unacknowledged.
So I thought I'd tell you about of one my heroes, Ursula Franklin. I've heard her speak on more than one occasion and had the honour meeting Franklin. When I was an undergraduate in physics there were a grand total of zero female physics professors at this University, but Ursula Franklin was trained as a physicist and was working in metallurgy and material science, and had U of T's highest rank, a full University Professor, the first woman named to that post. Further she was not only a strong, fearless, advocate for women in science, but one of the more impressive individuals I've ever met. Her influence as a roll model of women in physics and engineering here cannot be overstated. I thought she was an apt choice to profile as beyond the importance and depth of her own scientific and technological output, she has been an influential writer on the politics and social impact of technology itself.
Franklin was born in Munich in 1921 and survived being interned by the Nazis. She received her PhD in physics from the Technical University of Berlin in 1948 and immigrated to Canada, where after a post-doc at U of T, she joined the faculty. She pioneered archeometry - the use of modern materials analysis in archeology, dating prehistoric artifacts made of metals and ceramics. Her science was always engaged with societal concerns. During the 60s she advocated for the atmospheric nuclear test ban treaty, citing her studies of strontium-90 radioactive fallout found in children's teeth. During the 70s she was part of the Science Council of Canada investigation of how we could better conserve resources and protect nature. She began to develop her ideas about complexities of modern technological society.
She consistently has stood up for her beliefs in peace and social justice. As a member of the Voice of Women (now called Canadian Voice of Women for Peace), she tried to persuade Parliament to disengage Canada from supplying any weapons to the US during the Vietnam war, to shift funding from weapons research to preventative medicin, to withdraw from NATO and disarm. She later fought to allow conscientious objectors to redirect part of their income taxes from military uses to peaceful purposes (though the Supreme Court declined to hear the associated case). She joined other retired female faculty in a class action law suit against the University of Toronto for claiming it had been unjustly enriched by paying women faculty less than comparably qualified men. The University settled in 2002 and acknowledged that there had been gender barriers and pay discrimination.
As an applied scientist, her writtings on technology benefit from the insight of an insider, but her priorities are justice and peace and she critiques and analyses technology in this light. She does not view technology as neutral; it is a comprehensive system that includes methods, procedures, organization, "and most of all, a mindset". It can be work-related or control-related, holistic and prescriptive. Franklin argues that the dominance of prescriptive technologies in modern society discourages critical thinking and promotes "a culture of compliance". She has investigated the relationship between technology and power. She has investigated how we interact with communication technologies and advocated for the right to silence.
Many of her articles and speeches on pacifism, feminism, technology and teaching are collected in The Ursula Franklin Reader (2006). Franklin is one of many respected scholars and thinkers to have delivered a series of Massey Lectures, in 1989. Hers were gathered and published as The Real World of Technology. She has been recognized for her work in many ways, including receiving the Order of Canada, Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case for promoting the equality of girls and women in Canada and the Pearson Medal of Peace for her work in advancing human rights. Locals may know the Ursula Franklin Academy, a Toronto high school, named in her honour. I think this University, city, country and in fact, society at large are a better place because Ursula Franklin is a part of it. So, though she has received this recognition, I think she should be a household name, so that's why she's my choice for Ada Lovelace Day 2010.
{this post includes material from the surprisingly well-documented wikipedia entry on Ursula Franklin}
[...]Today, in Ada's name, people around the world are blogging about women in science and technology, whose accomplishments have all too often gone unrecognized or unacknowledged.
So I thought I'd tell you about of one my heroes, Ursula Franklin. I've heard her speak on more than one occasion and had the honour meeting Franklin. When I was an undergraduate in physics there were a grand total of zero female physics professors at this University, but Ursula Franklin was trained as a physicist and was working in metallurgy and material science, and had U of T's highest rank, a full University Professor, the first woman named to that post. Further she was not only a strong, fearless, advocate for women in science, but one of the more impressive individuals I've ever met. Her influence as a roll model of women in physics and engineering here cannot be overstated. I thought she was an apt choice to profile as beyond the importance and depth of her own scientific and technological output, she has been an influential writer on the politics and social impact of technology itself. Franklin was born in Munich in 1921 and survived being interned by the Nazis. She received her PhD in physics from the Technical University of Berlin in 1948 and immigrated to Canada, where after a post-doc at U of T, she joined the faculty. She pioneered archeometry - the use of modern materials analysis in archeology, dating prehistoric artifacts made of metals and ceramics. Her science was always engaged with societal concerns. During the 60s she advocated for the atmospheric nuclear test ban treaty, citing her studies of strontium-90 radioactive fallout found in children's teeth. During the 70s she was part of the Science Council of Canada investigation of how we could better conserve resources and protect nature. She began to develop her ideas about complexities of modern technological society.
She consistently has stood up for her beliefs in peace and social justice. As a member of the Voice of Women (now called Canadian Voice of Women for Peace), she tried to persuade Parliament to disengage Canada from supplying any weapons to the US during the Vietnam war, to shift funding from weapons research to preventative medicin, to withdraw from NATO and disarm. She later fought to allow conscientious objectors to redirect part of their income taxes from military uses to peaceful purposes (though the Supreme Court declined to hear the associated case). She joined other retired female faculty in a class action law suit against the University of Toronto for claiming it had been unjustly enriched by paying women faculty less than comparably qualified men. The University settled in 2002 and acknowledged that there had been gender barriers and pay discrimination.
As an applied scientist, her writtings on technology benefit from the insight of an insider, but her priorities are justice and peace and she critiques and analyses technology in this light. She does not view technology as neutral; it is a comprehensive system that includes methods, procedures, organization, "and most of all, a mindset". It can be work-related or control-related, holistic and prescriptive. Franklin argues that the dominance of prescriptive technologies in modern society discourages critical thinking and promotes "a culture of compliance". She has investigated the relationship between technology and power. She has investigated how we interact with communication technologies and advocated for the right to silence.
Many of her articles and speeches on pacifism, feminism, technology and teaching are collected in The Ursula Franklin Reader (2006). Franklin is one of many respected scholars and thinkers to have delivered a series of Massey Lectures, in 1989. Hers were gathered and published as The Real World of Technology. She has been recognized for her work in many ways, including receiving the Order of Canada, Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case for promoting the equality of girls and women in Canada and the Pearson Medal of Peace for her work in advancing human rights. Locals may know the Ursula Franklin Academy, a Toronto high school, named in her honour. I think this University, city, country and in fact, society at large are a better place because Ursula Franklin is a part of it. So, though she has received this recognition, I think she should be a household name, so that's why she's my choice for Ada Lovelace Day 2010.
{this post includes material from the surprisingly well-documented wikipedia entry on Ursula Franklin}
Monday, March 8, 2010
There's nothing to get your feather's ruffled about!
Especially not with these entries for the MSOE February challenge theme - feathers!
This month's theme was inspired by the identification of colour of some feathers on dinosaurs and early birds for the first time. The researchers found melanosomes in fossilized feathers, which are "color-bearing organelles buried within the structure of feathers and hair in modern birds and mammals, giving black, grey, and rufous tones such as orange and brown". They also found phaeomelanosomes, which result in rufous and brown colours. By finding these, for the first time we know what some of the colors of dinosaurs were!
Read more about it on Science Daily!
This inspired some wonderful and creative items by our team!
Sweettweelab - Otus the Screech Owl 1950s Ephemera Book Page
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40987433
Minouette - Block Printed Feather Brooch
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41204667
CreturFetur - Playful Kea
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41384838
iWunder - Luxury art yarn moebius cowl
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27132410
Ulixis - Feathers CARD SET
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41693565
Jackbear - Penguin Hand Carved Rubber Stamp
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31541788
AliciaMae - Decorative or small masquerade black feather mask
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6922225
Scientificculture - Felt Feather Brooch
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41568743
Tyarkoni - Heart No. 7, Hand Drawn Feathers, Frameable Art Card
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37919541
Don't forget to vote for your favorite entry on our poll!
Check back next month for our March challenge theme - entomology!
This month's theme was inspired by the identification of colour of some feathers on dinosaurs and early birds for the first time. The researchers found melanosomes in fossilized feathers, which are "color-bearing organelles buried within the structure of feathers and hair in modern birds and mammals, giving black, grey, and rufous tones such as orange and brown". They also found phaeomelanosomes, which result in rufous and brown colours. By finding these, for the first time we know what some of the colors of dinosaurs were!
Read more about it on Science Daily!
This inspired some wonderful and creative items by our team!
Sweettweelab - Otus the Screech Owl 1950s Ephemera Book Page
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40987433
Minouette - Block Printed Feather Brooch
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41204667
CreturFetur - Playful Kea
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41384838
iWunder - Luxury art yarn moebius cowl
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27132410
Ulixis - Feathers CARD SET
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41693565
Jackbear - Penguin Hand Carved Rubber Stamp
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31541788
AliciaMae - Decorative or small masquerade black feather mask
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6922225
Scientificculture - Felt Feather Brooch
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41568743
Tyarkoni - Heart No. 7, Hand Drawn Feathers, Frameable Art Card
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37919541
Don't forget to vote for your favorite entry on our poll!
Check back next month for our March challenge theme - entomology!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Even Mad Scientists Need A Little Love...
A bumper crop of entries for the 'Mad Scientists' Valentine' challenge! Featuring items with a science theme, or any Valentine's Day gift a mad scientist would love :)
clairepayne - Lavender Heart Sachets
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38529196
minouette - Thinking of You Valentine IV Card
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38380178
buffalonerdproject - Shiga toxin sweetheart half apron
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38896464
molecularmuse - Dopamine Heart & Pearl Valentine's Day Necklace
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38985622
jvdarcy - Hand Drawn Valentine's Day Cards
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39285974
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39295988
tyarkoni - Valentine, Hand Drawn Honeycomb, Art Card
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37991643
iWunder - Hot Pink Glam Cowl
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36942844
jackbear - Tell Tale Heart ACEO - Alternative Valentine
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39698292
CNJceramics - Red Love Birds
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39747708
bijoutery - Brown Ceramic Heart Necklace
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39830821
scientificculture - Love Robot Coffee Sleeve
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39675846
maidstonejewelry - Valentine's heart pendent
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39152176
- Heartlinks
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38689816
- Heart diamond ring
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38689163
janssendesigns - Valentines Day puppy love wreath
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39378788
Vote for your fav entry in our blog poll!
Find more great items by the team on Etsy, just by searching for 'msoe team'!
clairepayne - Lavender Heart Sachets
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38529196
minouette - Thinking of You Valentine IV Card
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38380178
buffalonerdproject - Shiga toxin sweetheart half apron
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38896464
molecularmuse - Dopamine Heart & Pearl Valentine's Day Necklace
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38985622
jvdarcy - Hand Drawn Valentine's Day Cards
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39285974
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39295988
tyarkoni - Valentine, Hand Drawn Honeycomb, Art Card
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37991643
iWunder - Hot Pink Glam Cowl
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36942844
jackbear - Tell Tale Heart ACEO - Alternative Valentine
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39698292
CNJceramics - Red Love Birds
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39747708
bijoutery - Brown Ceramic Heart Necklace
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39830821
scientificculture - Love Robot Coffee Sleeve
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39675846
maidstonejewelry - Valentine's heart pendent
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39152176
- Heartlinks
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38689816
- Heart diamond ring
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38689163
janssendesigns - Valentines Day puppy love wreath
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39378788
Vote for your fav entry in our blog poll!
Find more great items by the team on Etsy, just by searching for 'msoe team'!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Geek is Beautiful, Amazing, Fun, and just plan Cool!
So what is a geek? I suppose we all have a preconception what that is, but defining it, well, may be a bit harder... Odd? Weird? Uncool? Pocket protectors and bow ties? Braces and telling pi jokes?
Of course there are definitions out there. One of Wikipedia's definitions is that a geek is "a peculiar or otherwise odd person, especially one who is perceived to be overly obsessed with one or more things including those of intellectuality, electronics, etc". Sometimes its synonymous with nerd, dweeb, and other vernacular. Often times seen as something that is bad, that no one wants to be.
I suppose we embrace our geekiness more than some might. We enjoy talking shop, about our day in the lab, woes of funding, what cool new gadget we got. But we also talk about babies, what crazy things our pets have done lately, celebrate new art creations, reach out to one another on our bad days. And boy do we know how to have fun and laugh at ourselves!
We may be a bunch of science geeks, but we are so much more than that.
So yeah, we're a pretty cool team full of awesomeness :)
Find more great items from our team, geek and otherwise, on Etsy!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Sounds like it could be Science!
This time we're featuring items from the last two month's of challenge themes: accoustics of sound, and Rene Descartes. Since minouette was our only entry for the Descartes theme, she's already won that challenge with her very cool entry!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35443831
But you can still vote for your fav 'accoustics of sound' entries by:
maidstonejewelry
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36259227
jvdarcy
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33902993
AliciaMae
Thanks for voting!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Its a Mad Scientist's Holiday!
October's theme challenged team members to come up with holiday themed items ala 'mad science' style. There were many great entries for all the fall and winter holidays! Currently they are being featured in an Etsy treasury!
The treasury expires Tuesday morning so please go visit!
As always you get to vote for your favorite entry on our blog poll, so go vote after checking these fab entries out!
jackbear's Frankenstein ACEO
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33046256
buffalonerdproject's Five Depression Era-inspired Science Nerd Ornaments
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33337107
minouette's Natural History Ornaments
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33439162
molecularmuse's ginger - zingerone molecule - holiday ornament
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33564047
ScienceKitty's Pipette Tip Earrings
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34081328
janssendesigns' death tour Halloween recycled upcycled shirt
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29299071
The treasury expires Tuesday morning so please go visit!
As always you get to vote for your favorite entry on our blog poll, so go vote after checking these fab entries out!
jackbear's Frankenstein ACEO
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33046256
buffalonerdproject's Five Depression Era-inspired Science Nerd Ornaments
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33337107
minouette's Natural History Ornaments
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33439162
molecularmuse's ginger - zingerone molecule - holiday ornament
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33564047
ScienceKitty's Pipette Tip Earrings
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34081328
janssendesigns' death tour Halloween recycled upcycled shirt
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29299071
Monday, October 5, 2009
Biology and Math combine...
...to create our "Annual Rings" and "Fractal Geometry" challenges!
Annual rings in trees often represent a tree's growth each year, and can often give clues to the enviromental conditions over the years. Fractals, in the most basic sense, can be thought of as a shape made up of smaller copies of the same shape (ie a triangle made of of other triangles), and these fractals can be found in every day life, espeically in nature.
So this time we have two different challenges to vote for! We have entries for the annual ring challenge from:
inalather
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30412862
janssendesigns
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29300253
pandphomemades
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30156899
And our Fractal Geometry entries from:
pandphomemades
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23472064
minouette
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31531306
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31698594
Polymath
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29126209
And be sure to check out our Etsy treasury, which will be up until Wednesday (Oct 7), featuring these and other great team items!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=85856
Annual rings in trees often represent a tree's growth each year, and can often give clues to the enviromental conditions over the years. Fractals, in the most basic sense, can be thought of as a shape made up of smaller copies of the same shape (ie a triangle made of of other triangles), and these fractals can be found in every day life, espeically in nature.
So this time we have two different challenges to vote for! We have entries for the annual ring challenge from:
inalather
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30412862
janssendesigns
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29300253
pandphomemades
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30156899
And our Fractal Geometry entries from:
pandphomemades
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23472064
minouette
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31531306
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31698594
Polymath
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29126209
And be sure to check out our Etsy treasury, which will be up until Wednesday (Oct 7), featuring these and other great team items!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=85856
Monday, August 3, 2009
Its Astronomical!
The talent of the Mad Scientists of Etsy that is! In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing on the Moon, July's challenge was a mix of NASA/Apollo/space themes. So check out these great entries, then pick your favorite by voting on our poll!
AliciaMae
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27834015
iWunder
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27997644
minouette
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28009309
jackbear
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackbearstamps/3762130335/
bijoutery
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28686467
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28685809
As always you can find these and previous challenge entries on Etsy by searching for "msoeteam challenge" as well as other great items by our team members by searching for "msoe team".
AliciaMae
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27834015
iWunder
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27997644
minouette
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28009309
jackbear
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackbearstamps/3762130335/
bijoutery
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28686467
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28685809
As always you can find these and previous challenge entries on Etsy by searching for "msoeteam challenge" as well as other great items by our team members by searching for "msoe team".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
