Public Science - The Zooniverse (if you have Internet access)

You may have heard of public science, or maybe not. In most fields of science, there are datasets that are SO LARGE that there are not enough actual scientists in those fields to look at it all. And there are some things that people are still better at seeing and identifying or classifying from a dataset than computers are. How do scientists handle the analysis of such large datasets? 

Bring in the global public! 

If you have access to the Internet, you can get involved in actual, cutting-edge research! 

Some non-professionals are even getting their names on published papers for their contributions to new discoveries, such as new exoplanets.

Check out the Zooniverse website - there are over 80 big data projects that you can participate in, no experience required. Check out all the options, in dozens of different fields! 

Activity: Distance vs Displacement vectors

Link to Distance vs Displacement Lab Activity

 Early in physics classes, in mechanics, we often get into the topics of distance and displacement, or speed and velocity. These are issues of scalar vs vector. 

To demonstrate the differences between scalars and vectors, and specifically distance-displacement (and you can include speed-velocity, too), this mapping activity is useful for students since it actively gets them walking on paths that will clearly distinguish the differences between distance-displacement and even speed-velocity, if the teachers chooses. 

The only equipment needed is some sort of ruler or meter stick, ideally graph paper (or just paper), and if you want to include speed and velocity you will need some type of clock or timer. 

UNESCO Science Report 2021

Here's some motivation for tomorrow's scientists, engineers, and researchers in whatever technical field you are interested in. Most of the big global problems we face will require STEM to help find viable solutions. Get a sense of where the world is in the short video below on sustainability research, coming from UNESCO, the UN branch for science and education. There is a great need for more research and work into sustainability topics that matter for literally billions of people, but so much effort and resources (both human and financial) goes into things like artificial intelligence and robotics, sustainability and other global issues are often forgotten, and little funding exists for them. This is especially true in poorer countries, of course, but those are often the same countries that suffer from poverty and lack of STEM talent or resources. 

The full Report is here. It will take a minute to download, it is over 750 pages long, but check it out by sections that interest you.