I'm not crazy; the beets were tested.

For years I've told people that beets taste like dirt, no matter how carefully they are scrubbed before cooking.  I finally gave up when I got tired of being told that it was all in my imagination.  Well ... it turns out that science has finally backed me up!  (I knew I liked science.)

If you want to visit the home of this lovely poster, click here.  There, you will find this quote:

"Geosmin is also present in beetroot, and responsible for its earth flavour. Additionally, the presence of geosmin in water can cause an unpleasant, muddy taste."

So, thank you science!  I am officially a little less crazy now!

Periodic Table Song

Hey! There is a new and improved periodic table song!! Check it out and make your inner geek happy.

The NEW universal language is ....

Tickels!!

More can be found here.

Christmas in July

If any of you have the chance to read this book, I highly recommend it.  I've been reading it, off and on, for the last 6 months.  Recently I've been using it to burn through those pesky 30 minute waits at the doctor's office, as my body decides if my allergy shot is going to kill me.  (Judging from some of the welts, it's been a close call.  But I diverge.  Back to the book.)

I thought I'd share a paragraph that completely sums up what I like about this book.

Enter the bee. "What we can smell, honeybees can smell.  There is not a big difference," explains German scientist Randolf Menzel.  This is good news for smell research, for there are plenty of things you can do to a bee that you dare not do to a human. 
The Physics of Christmas, Roger Highfield, pg 197.

Highfield expertly combines research from many different disciplines in an entertaining and witty explanation of what is really going on during the holidays (at least science wise, no one understands aunt Imogen's fruit cake).  Everyone needs to read this book.  How can we have a functioning society if everyone doesn't know about Santa's genetics, the trippin' reindeer under his command, or what King Tut's beer tasted like?!

Did someone say science?

I apologise for the interruption, but this is not the usual sardonic/sarcastic post that I usually generate.  I will get back to those next time.  I promise.

I recently finished reading an article in Scientific American that discussed the lack of science in the curriculum of early education. They specifically mentioned pre-K through K, but I don't recall much formal education in science before the third grade. 

I agree with the article in that we are doing our children a great disservice by not starting formal science education at an early age.  There doesn't have to be a downplay, or removal, of anything that is currently being taught in early education to include science.  But it will require more early educators to be comfortable with science ... something that is lacking currently.

However, this is something that you can easily foster in the home.  Children ask a lot of questions.  Especially young children.  When they ask a question, take some time to "seek" out the answer with them.  I understand that this can not be done for every question.  (I was 12 when my youngest sibling was born.  I remember how many questions were asked each day!)  Even if you choose only one or two questions a week, you will be teaching your child the skill set they will need to reason and apply logic.  In short, you will teach them how to learn "science."  (When they grow up, they may not like doing it, but they will be able to do it.)

I was fortunate enough to grow up as my dad was going to college.  While doing his homework, he would take the time to explain to my sister and I what he was doing.  I remember sitting on his lap holding a large flash card with a letter of the alphabet on it.  He would be reading a text book, and whenever we came across the letter we were holding, we could yell and point it out.  I'm sure it was a huge disruption in his studding (when I was going to college, I would think back to this and wonder how he got any studding done!) but I am very grateful for the time he took. 

I would like to encourage all of my readers with young children to take sometime and teach your child how to use the scientific method.  If they ask a question, ask them what they think is the answer is, why they think that is the answer, etc.  Some kids will get frustrated with this method, so try somethine else.  Get them thinking any way you can.  Teach them not to be afraid of learning new things, thinking differently from others, and even getting the wrong answer.  Help them discover the joys of learning.  I believe that this is one of the most important skill sets that parents can teach their children, and I hope to pass it on to mine.

Ok, I've been preachy enough for one day.  It's time to slaughter some darkspawn.  Dragon Age, here I come!

Who says sience isn't funny?

why?...Why?...WHY?

Have you ever met one of those people who are always asking why? I'm not sure if I have. But, just to be fair, I should probably admit that several of my family/friends just thought of me. I have recently found a website that could help defend against these people...the ones that are always asking why...not my family/friends. My family/friends like to put on a good show, but they are really harmless.

They are very up front and admit that they are not proposing scientific fact. I quote: "Misinformation is at the heart of all scientific inquiry. ... Once an explanation is ruled out it becomes fair game and fodder for sites like this... This site makes no apologies for dissemination of bogus facts, half-truths, shaky hypotheses and downright malicious lies, innuendo, tomfoolery and even shenanigans." It's a good thing...since this is exactly what they are trying to feed you.

Some of my favorites are why is...the grass green, water wet, steel stainless, and metal shiny. Also worthy to note is their discussion on light speed, a blog, and where babies come from. I am proud to say that they seem to hold to the same philosophy that I do; If you don't know the answer, make it up.

Before you check it out, you probably should know that they get a little silly...that's an understatement. And...hopefully...I have managed to drain at least a small corner of the swamp.