Synergy: Ocean Exploration

From amazing animals and high-tech gear to deep sea diving, oceans are exciting places to explore.

Read the recently published children’s book on this topic, then learn more at the website:

EXTREME OCEAN by Sylvia A. Earle shares the adventures of an American marine biologist. From deep sea dives to environmental disaster relief, Earle explores the ocean and its wildlife. Each chapter includes field notes, facts, and hands-on activities. Readers are invited to conduct their own investigations.

Sylvia A. Earle was the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Visitors to the NOAA website can learn about this government agency and try out a variety of hands-on activities in the education section.

National Geographic Kids Ocean Portal
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/ocean-portal/

U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
https://www.noaa.gov/education

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Book Review: Otis and Will

OTIS AND WILL DISCOVER THE DEEP by Barb Rosenstock is a picture book exploring the record-setting dive of the bathysphere in 1930.

During his childhood, Otis Barton tried to invent a way to breath underwater. After becoming an engineer, he connected with an explorer named Will Beebe. Together they created a Bathysphere that could be used to explore the deep ocean. The picture book concludes with notes that provide additional text and photographs about this true story.

Librarians will find that the easy-to-read text and full page illustrations attract young readers to this fascinating story. Suggest this book to children who enjoy history and science. Work with teachers to integrate this fascinating story into science history. Feature this picture book with other recent publications in a display exploring underwater adventures.

Published on June 5, 2018 by LBYR, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Digital Spotlight: Expeditions & Discoveries

EXPEDITIONS & DISCOVERIES is an open collection from Harvard University Library focusing on exploration and scientific discovery in the modern age.

Contents: Spanning 1626 to 1953, this collection features historical resources in the areas of anthropology, archaeology, astronomy, botany, geography, geology, medicine, oceanography, and zoology. Users can search by discipline or region.

Classroom Connections: Teachers will find this collection to be an interesting way to connect science with history. Use a specific expedition to jumpstart a discussion of scientific discovery.

Featured Digital Objects:
Albatross Pacific Expeditions http://ocp.hul.harvard.edu/expeditions/albatross.html
Peabody South American Expedition http://ocp.hul.harvard.edu/expeditions/peabody.html

To visit the collection, go to http://ocp.hul.harvard.edu/expeditions/.

App Review: Touch Van Gogh

TOUCH VAN GOGH from the Stitchting Van Gogh Museum is an app that encourages children to explore paintings in detail.

Users explore nine iconic works by artist Vincent Van Gogh. Using multi-touch functions, students can discover the secrets of the artist’s painting techniques. Youth are also able to dive below layers of paint to explore the secrets concealed in each work.

Users begin by selecting a painting to explore. They can then click for information about the painting or select from the exploration tools. They can select from options such as when/where, subject, color, hidden detail, frame, recycling, canvas, and other options depending on the painting. Each tool zooms in on the painting and provides exploration tools along with explanations.

Each of the nine paintings provide a framework for exploring a different aspect of the artist’s works. For instance while exploring the Field with Irises near Arles painting, users learn about the work of the restorer in rubbing away layers of varnish. Explore Van Gogh’s self portraits, gardens, and homes.

Based on complex materials-technical research, librarians will find this app to be an excellent way to immerse youth in the works of Van Gogh. Pair this app with books related to the artist’s life and works as well as titles focusing on painting techniques.

Available from the App Store and Google Play. To download the app, go tohttp://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/…/about…/apps/app-touch-van-gogh.