How was the Earth made? How many skin cells do we have?
Thousands of kids attended the 2018 San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering EXPO Day event today at Petco Park. The annual festival of STEM learning features all sorts of fun activities and demonstrations presented by dozens of local schools, universities, businesses and organizations.
Kids wandering from booth to booth were encouraged to ask a variety of fascinating questions. Young minds learned about physics, medical research, information technology, space exploration, environmental science . . . The number of scientific subjects seemed unlimited.
Fun experiments were performed. Conclusions resulted. More questions arose.
That’s how science works!
As I wandered about the festival I discovered some questions that curious kids might ask…
Thousands of curious kids attended EXPO Day at Petco Park during the 2018 San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering.To help support STEM learning in San Diego and the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering, read this banner.How is curiosity a driving force behind human progress and development?What is in snot? How does mucus neutralize an invading virus?How does a snake move?Why is math important? Why are puzzles so stimulating?What are amino acids?What is symmetry? Why is it found in plants and animals?Can creative people and scientists be real superheroes?Can science be entertaining? Can you invent a rap song about something scientific?What is a molecule? What is an atom? Is anything smaller than an atom?What is oobleck? What Dr. Seuss book did the word come from?How do you make a secret code? How do you decipher a code?Can little robots destroy cancer? Why do earthquakes become so strong in some cases?What is light?How does a flamingo become pink?What is static electricity?What are comets made of?How was the first cell created? How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?What is the extracellular matrix?How does your heart work? How do you keep it healthy?How do we stop pollution?Is fusion the energy for the future of mankind?How can we remember many things like language? Why are some people so tall when their parents are so short?Why does a jellyfish glow?Why is this silly guy acting like a jellyfish?How does the Earth stay in orbit? How can people help the Earth stay healthy?What does it feel like to be in outer space? How do you become an astronaut?
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Father of the Computer, Charles Babbage, 1791-1871.
There are two electrical boxes near the UCSD Gilman Transit Center that caught my eye last weekend. One features tributes to three early pioneers of computer science. The other is painted to appear like a gigantic boom box. Technology and music are central to the life of many students at UC San Diego.
I always love revisiting the campus of UC San Diego. It’s a very beautiful place, bustling with energy. The university is rated one of the finest in the world. When I see the inventors of tomorrow, walking with smiles in the La Jolla sunshine, I feel hopeful.
Enchantress of Numbers, Ada Lovelace, 1815-1852.Father of Computer Science, Alan Turing, 1912-1954.An electrical box painted like a huge boom box near UCSD’s Gilman Transit Center.Musical notes stream from an enormous boom box at UC San Diego!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Naomi was born in Prague in 1932. She and her parents were sent by the Nazis to the Theresienstadt ghetto and forced to work. The family was then sent to Auschwitz and at age 12, Naomi was murdered.
Today I discovered an inspired project that helps school students learn about the Holocaust, and how to fight injustice and bullying.
The Butterfly Project had a special event this afternoon at the San Diego History Center. By pure chance I saw a sign for the event as I walked through Balboa Park.
Inside the San Diego History Center, I watched as compassionate visitors painted ceramic butterflies–one for each child who perished in the Holocaust.
Then I heard presentations by two speakers who had family members endure the unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust. These powerful presentations, complete with photographs and touchable artifacts, are often made to students in school classrooms. The presentations encourage Hope, Optimism, Kindness, Dignity and the Power of One. I learned how there were amazing instances where the courage of one person against brutal Nazis saved many innocent lives in labor and concentration camps.
One person can speak out. One person can take risks for others. One positive person can change many lives.
According to their mission statement, The Butterfly Project is a call to action through the arts, using the lessons of the Holocaust to educate about the dangers of hatred and bigotry through the painting of ceramic butterflies, permanently displayed around the world to memorialize each of the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust.
The Butterfly Project seeks to partner with anyone that has or wants to build a connection to history, honoring those who died in the Holocaust. They want to get their beautiful, symbolic butterflies into schools, museums and community centers. They want to be included in classrooms across the country as an important part of Holocaust and anti-bullying education.
Can you help? Click this link to learn how to get involved.
Will you be that one person who steps forward?
An event to raise awareness about The Butterfly Project was held at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park.Ceramic butterflies are painted. Each one symbolizes a young person who died as a result of the Holocaust.Some hands add color to the butterflies.Bronislaw almost escaped the Nazis hidden in a suitcase, then in a backpack. Seven year-old Bronislaw was discovered and shot.Holding up a labor camp uniform worn during the Holocaust. Presentations to students make the Holocaust real, and encourage positive, compassionate action.One presentation shows the tragic journey of one man who was sent to multiple concentration camps. He ran into a forest during a forced death march and escaped.The yellow badge that Nazis forced Jewish people to wear during the Holocaust.Painted butterflies recall innocent lives lost. With hope, purpose and courage, we can fight inhumanity and teach kindness.
Refugee high school students grow and sell vegetables in North Park. They are Youth FarmWorks interns receiving a helping hand from the International Rescue Committee!
I was walking around North Park yesterday when I stumbled upon a small farm on a dirt lot north of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. I crossed 30th Street to see what was going on, and noticed a bunch of youth working the soil, and sitting at a table selling vegetables!
It turns out these super friendly new San Diego residents are refugees attending local high schools. As Youth FarmWorks interns they are learning job skills and gaining confidence in their new country. This urban farming project was created by the International Rescue Committee, which helps refugees adjust to life in the United States, where they are safe and free from persecution.
I was given a tour of the small farm by a super cool young man–he’s the guy who gave me a thumbs up in that first photo! He showed me the various vegetables they were growing, including different types of lettuce, beets, squash, cherry tomatoes, and much more. My tour was awesome!
Good luck to everyone!
Sign by the large vegetable garden reads Youth Farm Works – Job Training Urban Farm.Many large planters contain all sorts of growing vegetables.Students at work on the urban farm.A very cool smile!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
A cool sight before the 54th Annual North Park Toyland Parade gets started!
Here are lots of photos from today’s 54th Annual North Park Toyland Parade!
This was my first year watching the Toyland Parade. I headed to North Park and walked about a little before the parade began. Then I found a spot on the sidewalk and got my camera ready!
Kids head toward the parade route, which begins along University Avenue in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood.These kids were selling fresh mistletoe before the parade got started.Folks chat in the staging area before the hometown holiday parade begins in the late afternoon.And here we go! Boy Scouts lead the parade carrying flags.After a bunch of local San Diego politicians go by, here comes the Grinch!It’s the Gift of Dance! Some very lively Mexican folklorico dancing adds zest to the parade!Whirling color.A fun truck with a Christmas tree in back.Looks like Santa-clown.This fun parade entry sported a miniature North Park landmark sign.I believe this is a student attending Saint Didacus Parish School.Lots of candy was being handed out to thrilled kids along the parade route.Kimberly Wong was the 2017 Miss Toyland Parade Queen!Friendly folks from the Cambodian Nazarene Church.This silly guy with the John P. Squibob group posed for my camera.Happy people go by.San Diego’s Al Bahr Shriners seems to be in every parade around the city.More goofy clowns.Here come those fun little parade vehicles the Shriners always drive.Here come some North Park Little Leaguers.A Mexican and Canadian flag, and a really good time. I believe these are kids at Jefferson Elementary Steam Magnet.Everyone loves a parade. Including the participants!Here comes the Madison High School marching band!Marching cheerfully down University Avenue wearing Santa hats. Many familiar holiday tunes were performed during the parade.Yikes! It’s Bumble, the Abominable Snowmonster of the North! Watch out Rudolph!And here comes another fierce Grinch! Is nobody safe?Here comes a bunch of super cool vehicles. Check this out…Check out the hydraulics action of this awesome lowrider! These guys were bouncing their cars like mad all along the parade route!The parade crowd loved these crazy cars.It’s the Sweetwater High School Red Devil Corps!Here comes Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Woodstock on an elf-driven motorcycle!These are members of the Realm of Andor, part of the Belegarth Medieval Combat Society. They meet Sundays in Balboa Park at Morley Field.Everyone is in the North Park holiday parade. Even the Junk King!This guy’s cool Star Trike appears to be modeled after the Starship Enterprise. I wonder if it’s difficult to obtain dilithium crystals?And at the end of the North Park Toyland Parade, good old Santa Claus waves to everyone from atop a fire engine! Merry Christmas!
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Aseltine School’s 2017 Holiday Food Drive takes place Wednesday, December 6, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at Uptown Tavern in Hillcrest.
If you’re in San Diego, please consider participating in the Aseltine School’s 4th Annual Holiday Food Drive. It will be taking place on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Uptown Tavern in Hillcrest, which is located at 1236 University Avenue.
Bring non-perishable food items such as peanut butter, canned chicken and tuna, cereal, canned fruit and vegetables, soup and pasta. The food you bring will support students and families in need.
Aseltine School is a supportive, positive place where K-12 students are helped to overcome a variety of difficulties. Their innovative program transforms young lives. Learn more at Aseltine’s website.
Your generosity will be greeted with lots of big smiles!
Flames rise from the fingertips of Robot Resurrection at 2017 Maker Faire San Diego in Balboa Park.
Balboa Park has been invaded! Cool robots of every size and description are roving throughout the park during 2017 Maker Faire San Diego!
Maker Faire San Diego seems to grow bigger every year. During this amazing event, eye-popping inventions and marvels of technology take over the heart of Balboa Park and many of its museums.
This morning I walked around feasting my mind on all sorts of creative stuff. Students, inventors, hobbyists and local clubs were proudly showing off their unique ideas and feats of engineering. Examples of 3D printing and robotics were everywhere.
Maker Faire San Diego continues in Balboa Park through Sunday. If you can, check it out for yourself!
Here are a few of the cool robots you might see!
2017 Maker Faire San Diego features lots of very cool robots, including 28 foot tall Robot Resurrection.A human operator emerges from the chest of the gigantic flame-throwing robot! If this thing could walk it would be a formidable battle robot!Human and robot fingers meet.Robot Resurrection has a couple of tiny pals. Here’s one.Here’s the other!The very cool Electric Giraffe has returned to the annual Maker Faire San Diego.The Electric Giraffe can move about while using an array of sensors in its head. When the neck is raised, this crowd-pleasing robot is 17 feet tall!This cute cow robot is named Milky White. It can move its eyeballs, eyelids, ears, tail and jaws!People at San Diego’s annual Maker Faire in Balboa Park check out a very creative robot designed by a friendly young man.Many schools from around San Diego demonstrate robots and other engineering projects during Maker Faire.The Robotics Society of Southern California has a sophisticated humanoid robot that moves realistically.The Glendale Robotics Academy had their Party Rover on display in the Japanese Friendship Garden.Kids check out another robot in the garden.A performance artist becomes a fun robot. People walking down El Prado posed for photos!This robot named Darth Zamboni was created by the Top Hat Technicians of High Tech High North County. It launches balls!Small autonomous cars on a track inside the San Diego History Center. They were being controlled remotely in order to gather navigational data.Autonomous car technology being developed today utilizes deep computer learning.A student participating in the First Robotics Competition demonstrates a small vehicle that their team built. Many robots can be seen up close in the San Diego History Center.This competitive robot corrals balls and then launches them.Cool robots of every size and description are on display throughout Balboa Park during 2017 Maker Faire San Diego!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!
Sign inside Visitor Center at Cabrillo National Monument describes the fascinating 3D Cabrillo project.
The Visitor Center at Cabrillo National Monument has a cool exhibit of 3D printed intertidal organisms. An explanation is provided of how the tide pool animal models were created, and shows how the general public and interested educators can easily access essential resources via a dedicated website!
Student curriculum, simple instructions and the 3D Cabrillo biomodel .STL files library (and a link to raw Autodesk files) are all found here.
For 3D Cabrillo and the particular models seen in this exhibit, free imaging software and an iPad were used to capture images of intertidal organisms preserved by La Jolla’s world-renowned Scripps Institute of Oceanography. After models were edited on a computer using design software, they were sent to a 3D printer at the San Diego Central Library’s Innovation Lab.
This program was adapted from the Scan Our Seas project created by Dr. Andrew D. Thaler.
Do you know of any school students who’d like to learn more about marine biology, the environment and technology? This is definitely a very cool (and fun) project!
Many colorfully painted 3D printed models of intertidal organisms are on display inside the Visitor Center.3D printed Starburst Sea Anemone.3D printed Dorid Nudibranch.A video shows the 3D printing process, including editing the tidepool animals.3D printed Wavy Turban Snail.3D printed Ochre Sea Star.Students are encouraged to create nature journals. Writing is fun, too!3D printed Scallop.3D printed Garibaldi.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of interesting photos for you to share and enjoy!
Admiral Hornblower on blue San Diego Bay. It gleams in the last rays of daylight.
This evening I glimpsed dreams of gold on the darkening blue…
The ship moves across the darkening water toward a golden sunset.Young students row a Maritime Museum of San Diego longboat as the sun sets. Perhaps they dream of finding pirate gold.Rowing the longboat forward across the water. They move together, as if in one twilight dream.A trail of gold glistens behind Admiral Hornblower as it moves into the mysterious distance.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
On a fence behind the Nature Center at Tecolote Canyon Natural Park one can find many colorful paintings of native wildlife. The fence follows a dirt road that leads to a hiking trail through Tecolote Canyon.
The paintings of spiders, butterflies, beetles and other insects were recently completed by students at University City High School. I believe the paintings of mammals, reptiles and birds have been on the fence for some time.
Colorful paintings of insects and other wildlife on a fence behind the Nature Center at Tecolote Canyon Natural Park.California Root Borer Beetle. Lucero Rayos.Black and Yellow Garden Spider. Nour Barbakh.Anise Swallowtail. Lawdyka Solano.Spotted Cucumber Beetle. Kayla Kenney.Tarantula Hawk. Andrea Angeles and Christian Covarrubias.Western Tiger Swallowtail. Tyler Coehrane and Lauren Ferrer.Darkling Stink Beetle. Morgan Boland.Roseate Skimmer. Issac Felcher.Silver Argiope. Zaynab Albaghdadi.American Lady. Aurora Godinez Quevedo.Green Lynx Spider. Jamison Legaspi.Harlequin Shield Bug. Jakob De La Cruz.Datura Weevil. Jacob Stoermer.Green Fruit Beetle. Makayla Srioudom.Vivid Dancer Damselfly. Miyoko Seldon and Andrew Bayot.Pruinose Squash Bee. Quincy Stone.California Sister Butterfly. Steffany Shapow.Coyote.California King Snake.Great Blue Heron.Striped Skunk.Southern Pacific Rattlesnake.Western Scrub Jay.Raccoon.Red Tailed Hawk.Southern Alligator Lizard.Anna’s Hummingbird.Bobcat.Pacific Gopher Snake.Gray Fox.Western Fence Lizard.Great Horned Owl.Spotted Towhee.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!
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