Today while procrastinating on working on some writing, I found an article about magic and neuroscience that speaks to the reasons that we have the demonstration on the floor. I know that we always feel like we have to justify having magic in a science museum, but this article offers even more evidence in favor [...]
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How Magic Works
November 19th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
Snail Detail
November 17th, 2008 — exploratorium from Anne @ Exploratorium Explainers
On Saturday, we offered our second family investigation workshop for members. Using what we’ve learned from the Institute for Inquiry, we investigated garden snails. These little critters turn out to be wonderful to watch–they don’t run away (at least not very fast), they have a non-squishy part to hold onto, they don’t bite, they [...]
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November 11th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
Thought you all might appreaciate seeing what kind of place the lunch cloffice is to work in. A couple weeks the Bio folks scurried around the museum collecting samples of bacteria from various locations. They put the 20 samples in petri dishes and waited for the good stuff to grow. Here is the picture of [...]
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November 5th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
Dead Science Graveyard
November 4th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
For those of you who didn’t make it out to Phantasmagorium-atorium at the Exploratorium on Friday night, you missed a hell of a party. There was a hilarious puppet show, a chance to lay down in a coffin, a purveyor of decaying animals, and a sugar skull making workshop. One of my favorite parts of [...]
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November 3rd, 2008 — Danfoss Universe, Experimentarium, exploratorium, on the floor from Ann Bartkowski @ Exploratorium Explainers
So as I mentioned during meeting, last week I had a really enjoyable interaction with a friendly group of Danish people at Philosophy Demo. After we had decided whether or not time was real, when an activity becomes a bad habit, and where our minds go after we die, we still had plenty of time [...]
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October 28th, 2008 — exploratorium from aiona @ Exploratorium Explainers
During the past week Ann and Sylvia organized a couple of our morning trainings around the theme of sexual harassment, which brought up some interesting responses from a few people, myself included, about harassment in general, and teasing in particular. Then, this weekend, I read an interesting article in Scientific American Mind about the purpose [...]
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October 19th, 2008 — exploratorium from aiona @ Exploratorium Explainers
I’ve been thinking lately about what it means to grow up, because I feel like I have spent most of my life wishing that I was bigger and older, that I was more knowledgeable and mature, and now, as I see that transformation actually taking place, I turn around, look back, and am suddenly afraid [...]
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October 16th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
As I was doing some research for my thesis this morning, I came across this quote by the late, great author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and felt like I had to share it with you all.
“…the two most potent spiritual forces
in contention today
have nothing to do with nations,
political parties,
or economic philosophies.
The opposing forces are these:
those who [...]
Shocking Roof Secrets Revealed
October 15th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
On Friday, a few of us lucky souls, still ‘working’ at 4:00, got to hang out up on the roof of the Exploratorium to check out the fleet week Blue Angels show. It was a pretty scary climb up the ladder, but at least I knew that if I slipped, Marcus would break my fall [...]
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October 13th, 2008 — exploratorium, links, off the floor, video from Ann Bartkowski @ Exploratorium Explainers
Since I was home sick from work last week, I spent an inordinate amount of time watching TV (aka The Discovery Channel). I got super excited every time they played this commercial for their new show, Time Warp, which reminds me of Smashbat. My favorite part is when the green balloon explodes on the dude’s [...]
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October 13th, 2008 — exploratorium from aiona @ Exploratorium Explainers
So basically I consider it a fundamental responsibility in my job to inspire curiosity in those around me. On days when my mind has just discovered amazing new things about the world around me, and is reeling in expanses of new inspirational territory, this is easy. That’s not what I want to write about. What [...]
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October 13th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
I picked up the newspaper this morning and turned to the magazine and saw this awesome picture of a cob of corn being pulverized. I thought to me self that that looks very similar to the smash bat gallery that Walter and Luigi created. Since they just got interviewed by MAKE TV, I guess this [...]
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October 11th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
Here are some of the best pics from our trial run with the sand last Monday! Hopefully we can make some really cool patterns next week on the floor!
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Genius Alert
September 25th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
For those who didn’t catch the newspapers, radio coverage, web traffic, mus-news, etc.
Our good buddy and Exploratorium artist Walter Kitundu won the MacArthur “Genius” award on Monday. Walter has so many awesome talents to share with the world and its been amazing to work with him for the past year or so on PIE projects. [...]
A New Year of Field Trips
September 23rd, 2008 — exploratorium from ann1eliz @ Exploratorium Explainers
Today we each shared one thing that we hope that the school kids who visit the Exploratorium get out of their day. Here’s what we’re hoping:
To have a stong, positive memory of a unique experience–a personal story to tell their friends and family.
Fun, enrichment, good memories.
They figure out something new. An “ah-ha!” [...]
The Audience Booed!
September 19th, 2008 — Akemi, Silicon Valley Moms Blog, center of attention, exploratorium, mind exhibit, svtwinmom from Akemi/svtwinmom @ Silicon Valley Moms Blog
My boys are comic geniuses. Or so they think. When they make silly faces, I laugh and make silly faces back. When they stumble through a joke, I laugh. They have a built in audience in me. I’m a reliable…
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September 4th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
I recently got an email from our buddy Sebastian all the way down in Brazil. He’s at a science museum conference down there and has shared our blog with some of the participants. Hopefully some of the “explainers” of other museums around the world can get exposure to one of the ways it’s possible to [...]
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August 26th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
Step 1 - Take Everything Out
Step 2 - Sort Into Piles
Step 3 - Put Everything Back In
Step 4 - Don’t Mess It Up!
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August 11th, 2008 — exploratorium from peee @ Exploratorium Explainers
We were trying to find a way to get kids excited about reading during the summer at our Clubhouse, so the Education Director, came up with an idea where at the same time everyday, everyone stops what they’re doing and they pick up a book and read. But we needed something to hype it up, [...]
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August 6th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
I used to be scared of the CERN particle accelerator creating a black hole and ending life on this planet. But then Paul D. told me that there is nothing to be scared of and that the accelerator doesn’t create anything that doesn’t already enter our atmosphere.
Now I’m scared of the world ending because it [...]
CERN Particle Accelerator Rap
August 6th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
I used to be scared of the CERN particle accelerator creating a black hole and ending life on this planet. But then Paul D. told me that there is nothing to be scared of and that the accelerator doesn’t create anything that doesn’t already enter our atmosphere.
Now I’m scared of the world ending because it [...]
Paul D. at 4:00AM
August 4th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
Last Thursday night and early Friday morning, there was a sleepover at the Exploratorium to watch a web cast of a total solar eclipse live from China. The festivities started at 9:00pm and the visitors sped toward the skylight in order to get the best sleeping spots. As you can see…it got a little crowded!
Some [...]
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July 31st, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
Last week, Exploratorium resident magician-in-chief Luigi visited our summer camp to perform his famous “Peanut, Butter, and Jelly” and “Mongolian Pop Knot” tricks. Luckily Walter was on hand to videotape the entire trick as performed to a group of about forty 7-10 year olds. If you can’t afford Luigi’s hefty appearance fee for a personal [...]
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July 31st, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
I’ve been wanting to post these videos for a while. Ann and I were hanging out in the learning studio and Luigi couldn’t wait to share the clips of Japanese chain reaction machines that he was researching for his ‘job’. We watched about 40 of these beauties non-stop. They are eerily addictive. And I have [...]
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July 23rd, 2008 — exploratorium from tribekat @ Exploratorium Explainers
It only took me seven months to figure out how to get these pictures off my camera, onto a computer, loaded into Flickr and up on this blog. I am a genius. Merry Nogfest.
Gathered ‘Splainers, old and new. We tasted eggnogs, quite a few:
We judged the nogs:
May, untouched by foggy nogging, helped us tally the [...]
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July 1st, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
Check out these awesome pictures of Sun Dogs (or Parahelions) taken in Mendocino.
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June 20th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
Last week I was hanging out the in learning studio (otherwise known as…cough cough…roam all) and got to check out some of the latest projects by sound artist Ranjit Bhatnagar who just happened to be hanging with the PIEL crew. They showed me some amplifiers made with magnetic wires spun around sewing wheels. Those rocked [...]
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June 14th, 2008 — TV appearances, exploratorium from akikoakiko @ Exploratorium Explainers
I was watching the 5 o’clock, Channel 2 News, and who did I see?!?!
Our very own Sarah, looking absolutely charming in her orange vest, opening a clear lid for a visitor while Explaining away.Â
Ya looked good! :o)Â
Iron Explainers
June 12th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. And desperate times calls for desperate measures. Like paper towel tubes and pepper eating. And a desperate competition based on the greatest television show of all time that’s not named American Gladiator”
“Cui-san, what’s in the McBean Auditorium?”
Explainers competing to the death…with one secret [...]
Science Fairs
June 6th, 2008 — exploratorium from tribekat @ Exploratorium Explainers
I’ve been under the weather and grumpy these last few weeks. While my fabulous Explainer colleagues have generously ignored my less than cheery attitude, I have been impatiently wondering when the baked-on nastiness would wash away. Yesterday it finally did.
I got my mojo back thanks to two different groups of girls at the Exploratorium, both [...]
Garden Pt. 3 w/ Avogadro the Avocado
June 6th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
Check out these awesome photos of the garden! It’s been about three months since first planting and things have been looking amazing back there. The peas have been tasty treats and the tomatoes and squash finally have flowers and even the beginnings of fruits. I’ve also included a picture of an avocado seed first sprouted [...]
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June 6th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
A little while ago we had a training with Richard Brown about the anti-rainbow (a band of the reverse colors of the usual ROY G. BIV). The main colors on an anti-rainbow are cyan, blue, and magenta which are the opposites of blue, red, and green. Think of it as a blending of the colors [...]
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April 8th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
So Amisha sent out the link about the squid that have infiltrated the bay. Here’s the link.
Giant, hippie-hating, cannibalistic squids attack SF Bay Area
The unintentional comedy factor for this video is pretty high even though it’s produced by QUEST a PBS station in San Francisco. In the beginning they totally try to make it seem [...]
Cow Eye Questions/Answers
April 2nd, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
So I’ve been doing some outside research on the cow’s eye demonstration and it turns out that some of the information that we give is just not correct. Apparently a few other museums and schools do the dissection but have passed on many false ideas. An article that I stumbled across debunked some of the [...]
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April 1st, 2008 — exploratorium from tribekat @ Exploratorium Explainers
I know the difference between geeks and nerds. These guys are nerds and here are the things I love about their Star Wars themed Rube Goldberg machine:
They incorporated both fire and water!
The perfectly timed musical score that builds as the cup suspensefully fills
The accent! Where are these guys from? “Jet-pack down!”
The ridiculous [...]
Color Vision
March 31st, 2008 — exploratorium from ann1eliz @ Exploratorium Explainers
Sam asked me to post this for you:
Saw this in Wired, and it really hit me. Looks like it relates to
the Stroop effect, as well as other elements used in Seeing. Or
Mind, perhaps? Thought it might be of interest to the crew.
Fwd: Babies See Pure Color, but Adults Peer Through [...]
DNA Twins
March 27th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
I’ve been having some great conversations with other explainers and visitors while initially just compiling a list of questions (without worrying about the answers) at the DNA demonstrations. Its a nice technique to get the conversation started and cultivate a more two-way street at the demo stations. Today a visitor shared reading this article in [...]
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March 24th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
The easter-eggs that we colored on friday are starting to smell a little funky, but I can’t bear to just throw them out without sharing them with the world. So here are our attempts to create colored eggs that no child could ever duplicate!
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March 24th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
So I’ll admit that at first I wasn’t too thrilled about the next member’s class topic. I mean what is there to talk about ’soil’ and ‘why do I care’? That all changed after this weekend! Sarah took one look at my backyard and was convinced that we could make something of it! It [...]
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March 21st, 2008 — exploratorium, on the floor, video, workshop from Luigi Anzivino @ Exploratorium Explainers
Here it is, the video of the glorious Pi(e) Chain Reaction that took place on Pi Day. Visitors came in and built contraptions that linked with each other in a giant chain reaction, which was set off at 2:15pm. It was tons of fun, and, as always, the explainers rocked the house. You can see [...]
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March 21st, 2008 — exploratorium from tribekat @ Exploratorium Explainers
Today was the Vernal Equinox, when the sun rises due East and sets due West, and every place on Earth experiences 12 hours each of sunlight and darkness. Although I have a hard time wrapping my brain around all the astrophysics involved, I definitely do feel a change in the air. A slew of Springtime [...]
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March 21st, 2008 — exploratorium from ann1eliz @ Exploratorium Explainers
I finally got the chance to post some photos from our retreat to the dairy barn.
We all piled into a van and drove up to Jenner,
made an amazing meal together,
and had a dance party.
Then, we got some really great work done.
Overall, we discovered what an amazing time we can have squeezing 15 people into [...]
Brains and The Universe
March 19th, 2008 — exploratorium from ryexplain @ Exploratorium Explainers
We had a training last week with Charlie Carlson about the structure of brain cells in order to better understand the ways that the mind works to process feelings, sensations, and emotions. These kind of topics often come up as we interact with the public in the brain exploration demo station. While we came up [...]
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March 10th, 2008 — exploratorium from tribekat @ Exploratorium Explainers
Bruce didn’t make it, but Abe was continually on his way to our retreat this weekend. Also, several Bartels were spotted.
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March 4th, 2008 — exploratorium from tribekat @ Exploratorium Explainers
So I’m presenting at AERA in New York on March 27th along with some folks I went to school with and my thesis advisor. Some of the Visitor Research people from the Exploratorium will be there to speak, too. I’m going to talk about the importance of reflection in teacher research, and I [...]
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March 3rd, 2008 — exploratorium from Ann Bartkowski @ Exploratorium Explainers
Last weekend I saw Michel Gondry’s new film, Be Kind Rewind. In this movie, Jack Black’s character becomes magnetized after being electrocuted and subsequently erases all of the VHS tapes in a video store with his body’s new electromagnetic properties.Â
Thanks to Paul D., I understand that even though electricity and magnetism go together like American Gladiators [...]
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