November 18th, 2008
One-hundred-fifty school children convened in Paderborn, Germany this past November 15 to tackle the problem of climate change with, of all things, the children’s toy, LEGO building blocks. The event was organized by the FIRST LEGO League, a world-wide educational initiative. Participants in Paderborn represented Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. Additional regional LEGO climate change competitions also took place in other parts of the world.
Andreas Stolte, a representative of the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum, an ASTC member and where the Paderborn competition took place, commented that “fifteen teams battled for victory and a place in the next round of the competition with robots which they had constructed and programmed themselves.” He added, “they were required to prove their skills in the fields of robot design, research presentation, and team play in addition to contesting the actual matches.”
To enter into the contest, teams were required to construct an autonomously operating robot from sensors, motors, and those colorful plastic LEGO bricks. Each team then used its robot to solve problems in the field of climate change research.
You can see some of the projects in action on the YouTube website. One example shows a robot that automatically buries carbon pellets at safe storage sites. Another robot moves blocks into place in levees that have been breached by rising ocean waters.
FIRST LEGO was founded in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S.A, this informal science public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.
Photo: Participants in the FIRST LEGO competition demonstrate their climate change robots.
November 11th, 2008
A new website, magicporthole.org, allows visitors to explore the fascinating and fragile world of coral reefs online. The site includes underwater photographs, detailed text descriptions, and computer animation. Site visitors can learn about saltwater creatures ranging from a sea slug which eats stinging Hydroids to the Porcelain Crab which lives in symbiosis with sea anemones.
The site also features various video clips. Visitors can watch how Goby fish and shrimp interact and how Clownfish hide in stinging sea anemones. “A Trip With Drip: The Water Drop,” an animated page, helps young peoplke to learn about the water cycle. In conjunction with 2008 representing the International Year of the Reef, the Magic Porthole project has also announced a contest for children of different ages to submit information about thier own efforts to help save coral reefs.
The Yale University Department of Biology produced Magic Porthole with the support of a grant from the National Science Foundation and donations from Peter and Helen Haje and other individuals. Members of the advisory board represent such institutions as the Museum of Science in Boston, an ASTC member, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the Smithsonian’s Marine Systems Laboratory.
Photo: Coral Spawning. Many species of stony coral spawn in mass synchronized events, releasing millions of eggs and sperm into the water at the same time. By Emma Hickerson for NOAA Ocean Education Service.
November 10th, 2008
The Fourteenth Annual Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP14), takes place from December 1 to 12 in Poznan, Poland, and will bring together leaders from around the world concerned about man’s escalating impact on the climate. Attendees will consider such topics as research and observation of climate change, sustainable economic development, and means to reach emission reduction targets. Among the delegates will be a coalition of young people selected from across the subcontinent of India, according to the Indian Youth Climate Network, a coalition of Indian youth and youth-serving organizations.
Work is also already underway for COP15, slated to take place November 30 to December 11, 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark with an estimated 10,000 people from around the world expected to attend. In connection with the conference, Project Zero and the Danish Association for International Cooperation are holding a youth event in August, “Bright Green Youth.” At Bright Green Youth, 500 young people from every corner of the world will communicate knowledge about climate change. The conference, which will take place over three days, will produce a website, teaching materials, and documentation and testimonials from around the world, and scientists and researchers will lead workshops specially designed for youth.
ASTC has been tapped to bring together a delegation of 50 youngsters from around the world to participate in the conference. So far, the Saint Louis Science Center in Missouri, the Miami Science Center in Florida and the Science Centre Singapore have pledged to recruit young people from their cities. His Royal Majesty the Crown Prince of Denmark, Secretaries of State, the Mayor of Sønderborg, and others will attend the opening ceremony, and musician and activist, Bono, will be at the closing ceremony.
Photo: Youth at Science Centre Singapore participate in climate change experiment.
September 23rd, 2008
Cinnabar, Inc., a creative firm specialized in developing museum exhibits, has launched a new initiative on climate change. Their latest effort, “Altered State,” is currently showing at the California Academy of Sciences. Altered State, a 10,000 square foot exhibit, draws upon the findings of research scientists and employs specimen collections, live animal displays, media and interactives to explain how unchecked climate change will alter weather, water, flora and fauna in California.
September 12th, 2008
Sally Ride Science Climate Change Conference for Educator videos and resources now available on the IGLO Toolkit. The conference focused on the understanding of climate change as well as to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sally Ride’s first space shuttle mission. How was Earth’s climate different 25 years ago? What changes are predicted over the next 25 years? Climate is an ideal interdisclinary theme for education. Beginning with simple concepts and observations of weather and water, and building increasingly complex investigations into the physical, chemical and biological dimensions of climate, students and teachers have the opportunity to better understand the interconnectedness of this important topic and use this knowledge in their lives and communities. Check it out at www.atmospheres.gsfc.nasa.gov/iglo/view_cat.php?cid=13.
One-hundred-fifty school children convened in Paderborn, Germany this past November 15 to tackle the problem of climate change with, of all things, the children’s toy, LEGO building blocks. The event was organized by the FIRST LEGO League, a world-wide educational initiative. Participants in Paderborn represented Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. Additional regional LEGO climate change competitions also took place in other parts of the world.
