Uncategorized

Blog is OK

January 7, 2012

Anyone who was visiting the blog in the last day or two and got security warnings — you can come back now!  I had a hack, but we found the bit of evil code (some malicious javascript) and took it out, smartened up security, and everything seems to be fine. If you did visit the [...]

Read the full article →

That’s *Mrs.* geekgirl to you…

October 4, 2011

Sorry for the long delay — I was getting married and having a honeymoon, which takes a bit of time and energy <grin>.  While I’m busy finding the time to write a more substantive post, I thought I’d share a few pictures from the day.  Why?  Because it’s my blog!  Nyah. If you’re really wanting [...]

Read the full article →

A look inside the science journalist’s notebook

March 28, 2011

It’s difficult,when you’re getting started as a new science writer, to imagine the process of writing your first journalistic piece.  I get a fair number of queries from young people (mostly) interested in trying out science writing.   Aside from the depressing reality that full-time science journalism jobs are going the way of floppy disks, it’s [...]

Read the full article →

Dear Professor, Do you live in a vacuum?

August 8, 2010

A while back I wrote about Nin Andrews wonderful little book “Dear Professor, Do You Live in a Vacuum?”  This collection of poems based on real student notes to her physicist husband is a fun read — an interesting peek into the life of students from their point of view.  See my previous post to [...]

Read the full article →

Evolution for Bartenders

August 5, 2010

Got this gem from a recent issue of Science magazine… Here’s a variation on the popular geeks who drink bar-room trivia contests.  This geek wanted to describe the evolution of drinks!  An evolutionary biologist, James Harriman, wondered whether new drinks arise by people adjusting old recipes to fit their tastes, giving rise to new “species” [...]

Read the full article →

Name that sample (win a prize)

August 3, 2010

I really like these continuing contests that ASPEX keeps offering (Name that Sample) where you get to try to guess what their SEM scan is of.  If you guess the what the image below is showing by August 14th, you could win a free netbook.  Put in your guesses on their website, not mine (if [...]

Read the full article →

Remote sensing…. it’s just like being there

April 2, 2010

For those who don’t know what “remote sensing” means, that probably sounds like a much sexier title than it really is. “Remote sensing” refers to getting data from instruments from afar, or remotely. The ability to collect data via satellite or cellular connection was an important step in being able to gather information from remote [...]

Read the full article →

Facing Facebook…?

March 1, 2010

I’m working on an abstract for the AAPT.  What do people think about this idea? Facing Facebook:  Social media in and out of the classroom Your students are already using tools like Facebook and Twitter.  In fact, they’re often using them when you’d rather they’d be doing something else (like paying attention in class). How [...]

Read the full article →

I always knew I rocked…

February 28, 2010

And now I have visual proof…  (that’s me in pink)

Read the full article →

PhET on Voice of America

February 19, 2010

Our PhET interactive simulation project was just featured on Voice of America. It’s a nice short piece that gives information about PhET and why it’s helpful for student learning. Kudos to my boss Kathy Perkins who was succinct and clear — not always an easy task. Below is the text from the VOA site And [...]

Read the full article →

Aspiring Teachers – Speak up!

February 10, 2010

Project Tomorrow (which does really good work) is creating a new survey of teachers, to get the lay of the land in teacher prep.  This one is the first one, I believe, in which they’re including aspiring teachers.  Here is the blurb — if you’re seeking your credentials, consider contributing your voice to the survey!  [...]

Read the full article →

Seeking a science outreach specialist

February 2, 2010

I don’t usually post job listings on the blog, but I *love* the local NSDL office and would be so happy to see someone excellent in this job opening.  See below — it’s a really great opportunity for someone qualified. The National Science Digital Library (NSDL) (http://nsdl.org), based at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research [...]

Read the full article →

Holiday gifts for geeks like me

December 1, 2009

Got a geek in your life who’s aching for something cool?  Here are a few ideas: Giant Microbes are always a hit.  Many  years ago, my housemate gave me the common cold.  I eventually gave it to my boyfriend (now my ex).  No word yet on whether he’s recovered.  At least I didn’t give him [...]

Read the full article →

Adopt a Physicist needs more physicists!

October 1, 2009

While there are usually fewer spots than physicists interested in filling them, for once, Adopt a Physicist needs more physicists to step up to the plate! Registration is open through October 4th (this Sunday). Details are below. I’ve done this several years in a row and it’s pretty fun! Help high school students explore what [...]

Read the full article →

I’m off to AAPT!

July 25, 2009

And for those of you who have read me for a while, you know what that means…. Liveblogging! I really like to write out nice summaries of the good talks and sessions I go to at conferences — it helps me remember and digest what I’ve learned.  So stay tuned, I hope, for a series [...]

Read the full article →

Helping young women stay in science

July 19, 2009

Hey all, I think sometimes I overuse my wonderful readers for their great ideas but, well, if you didn’t have such good ideas, then I wouldn’t be asking you questions all the time!  Ah, the burden of greatness. So, here’s the question of the day.  I’m working on a book proposal for a survival guide [...]

Read the full article →

PhET for Kids?

July 14, 2009

For those of you who use or know of our PhET interactive simulations site, we’re trying to roll out a redesign of the site that’s geared for grades 4-8.  But we’re struggling with a name.  Any ideas? PhET Kids was deemed “too baby-ish” by some actual kids PhETmania (so far our favorite) Fresh Science by [...]

Read the full article →

Why I’m so quiet…

July 14, 2009

I’ve been a bit quiet on the blog-o-front, and my apologies gentle readers!  I’m juggling a lot of things for the next month, and then I’ll be posting more regularly.  I also just moved (!) and am without internet access at the new abode.  Which, of course, doesn’t bother me.   Any more than I would [...]

Read the full article →

I’m on Science!

July 11, 2009

And no, I don’t mean some new drug called science (though we all know that geeking out can get you a little dizzy), but I did a guest spot on the Science Magazine podcast this week since their regular podcaster is out of town.  It’s a short interview on nuclear waste management after Yucca Mountain.  [...]

Read the full article →

Liveblogging from AAPT

February 12, 2009

Yup, it’s happening again, I’m blogging from the American Association of Physics Teachers conference.  I don’t have internet access from the sessions, so you’ll get my posts as a series of rapid-fire posts all at once. So stay tuned for a series of posts!  The American Association for the Advancement of Science conference is right [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries