Saturday 28 October 2017

Thales the first philosopher

Thales was the first philosopher and looked at the origin of stuff. Numbering the about 48 philosophers over the first 1000 years of thought makes the ideas easier to handle.

The origin of the word Academic

Academos  was given a house in Athens when his quick thinking saved the city from some angry Spartans. You wouldn't believe who they were looking for. Years later when Plato used his house, the Academy education got a new word with the most unlikely of origins.


Friday 27 October 2017

Electron Configuration - Explanation Configuration


A simple easy to teach description of how many electrons fill each of the shells of an atom is the "2 8 8 2 " configuration. The steps after this require students learn a new trick as it goes "2 8 9 2" all the way to  "2 8 18 2" not "2 8 8 18" as is being taught. Listen to a Quantum Physicists trying to make sense of what is going on in the classroom.

Reason to train

Podcasting while you walk is great rehabilitation training. It improves  1.Skills 2. Confidence. 3. Meta-cognition. The talk covers Rommel vs Morshead, and a casual conversation with a Glenbrookian.


Wednesday 25 October 2017

An Australian Classroom - kahoot!

Listen to a scientist on the outside looking in on an Australian classroom. Brimming with potential, certainly if we can get a move on in the lab and get our act together.


Monday 23 October 2017

index

This is an audio overview of podcasts posted before this date.

The heart in the womb

Ever wondered about the cable that plugged you into Mum while you were inside her "tummy"?Engineers could not help noticing a central tube with twin smaller tubes spiraling around the outside. What is going on!

River of life

Don't get stuck up the tree of life, raft through history down the river of evolution. Discover how the hardy first primitive life survives the deadly newcomers and triumphs in the Frankenstein complex cells that went from ponds and ultimately in the form of humans to the moon.

Friday 20 October 2017

Eyes on the prize

Ready or not Australia is pushing ahead with 40 % professional grade research in High School to fuel our STEM resurgence.  It sounds like a plan. Let't go!

Tuesday 17 October 2017

Earth podcast 2

Why the sad face, Lu?

Some say ANSTO, Australia's medical and research nuclear reactor is giving out Periodic Tables with lutetium in the wrong position.  This children's fantasy book imagines a world where the Chief Scientist work with the Element Kids to solve problems and help children discover science.


Sunday 15 October 2017

Earth Podcast


Travel to the centre of a planet made of play dough. Find out that far from being liquid below the crust, the play dough like rock sweats the iconic molten lava.