Showing posts with label Curiosity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Curiosity. Show all posts

Monday, September 11, 2023

Synergy: Celebrating trivia



Synergy: Celebrating trivia


TRIVIA are facts that are not well-known. These pieces of information may be of little importance, yet they sometimes promote curiosity and wonder. Trivia is often viewed as amusing, entertaining and interesting.


To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for young people:


STUFF KIDS SHOULD KNOW: THE MIND-BLOWING HISTORIES OF (ALMOST) EVERYTHING by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant with Nils Parker is a middle grade work of nonfiction based on the popular podcast Stuff You Should Know. This illustrated guide addresses a wide range of questions with humor and a sense of curiosity. Each of the fourteen chapters explores a different topic from toys and trillionaires to facial hair. The interesting tables and timelines add to the appeal. ARC courtesy of Henry Holt and Co., an imprint of Macmillan.


HOW DOES CHOCOLATE TASTE ON EVEREST? written by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and illustrated by Aaron Cushey explores the world’s extreme places through the five senses. Readers are encouraged to think about their sense of sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste as they travel to hot, dark, high, and magical places. Along the way, readers learn fascinating facts about each location. The book concludes with a useful glossary. ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge, an imprint of Penguin Random House.


WELCOME TO THE MYSTERYVERSE written by Clive Gifford and illustrated by Good Wives and Warriors examines the world’s unsolved wonders. Exploring science’s unanswered questions, this work of nonfiction features chapters on the topics of people, Earth, nature, space, and other mysteries. Key questions, colorful illustrations and fact boxes encourage readers to solve problems and wonder about the world around them. ARC courtesy of Wide Eyed Editions, an imprint of Quarto Group.




Monday, September 12, 2016

Technology Review: NASA's Eyes

NASA’S EYES is a website and apps that can be used to explore Earth, the solar system, and the universe along with the spacecraft used for exploration.
While some of the interactives are browser-based, others require the NASA’s Eyes app.
Interactive visualizations include Juno, Eyes on the Earth, Eyes on the Solar System, and Eyes on Exoplanets. Solar system tours are also available.
The Events on Earth section explores recent events on our own planet including dust storms, fires, and hurricanes using satellite imagery.
DSN Now is a live web app that allows users to see which spacecrafts are currently active.
Finally, Experience Curiosity is a WebGL experience that allows users to learn about the Curiosity rover as it explores Mars.
Librarians will find this website a great way to get young people excited about space and space exploration. Use the website and apps to jumpstart research projects.
To visit the website, go to http://eyes.nasa.gov/

Wednesday, August 03, 2016

Technology Review: Be a Martian

NASA’s BE A MARTIAN app and websites immerses students in experiences and information related to Mars missions.
The app is divided into sections exploring a wide range of tools, information, and activities.
The Featured section contains Mars posters, quick facts, and cards.
The See section focuses on visual representations of Mars including raw images from Curiosity, Mars as art, Mars photographs, short videos, and animations.
The Learn section explores Mars missions, Curiosity’s journey, news, videos, and information.
The Ask section allows youth to ask a question of NASA scientist Dr. Phil Christensen when he’s available.
The More section connects with NASA websites. The Be A Martian website extends the app experience and the Mars Exploration website contains news, information, and multimedia resources focusing on the Mars program.
Between the app and the websites, librarians will find endless resources exploring the Mars program for all grade levels. Consider developing a display that incorporates a tablet with the app, a laptop with the website, books, and focused, hands-on activities.
To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/app/nasa-be-a-martian/id543704769.
To visit the app website, go to http://beamartian.jpl.nasa.gov/welcome.
To visit NASA’s Mars Exploration website, go to http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/.