The Scout Report -- Volume 26, Number 6

"The presidency is constantly shifting with circumstances, the times, and the occupants." This observation from host Jerry Landry, a self-proclaimed history geek, led him to launch Presidencies of the United States. This podcast (and related blog and video series) is meant to introduce the "people and events that shaped and reshaped each administration and the office in general." The podcast works its way chronologically through the United States' presidents, (covering their lives before, during, and after their time in the White House), and (as of this write-up) is currently on Thomas Jefferson, with new episodes discussing his life set for release throughout 2020. Readers can find the nearly 100 episodes released since the podcast launched in January of 2017 under Episode Guide by President. In addition to organizing episodes chronologically by president, this section features "source notes" and additional resources that relate to each president. Podcast episodes range in length, but most are under an hour. The blog also includes links to a video series, an extension of the podcast launched in 2019. Though the series only includes a few videos as of this write-up, they are a great addition to the work of the podcast. [EMB]

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The physical exhibition Caravaggio & Bernini at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna closed on January 19, 2020, but remote visitors can continue to enjoy the online version. There are eight thematic sections in the show: Wonderment & Astonishment, Horror & the Terrifying, Love, Vision, Suffering & Compassion, Liveliness, Motion & Action, and Jest. Visitors can choose to move through the digital exhibition in order, or jump to particular sections using the menu (accessible in the upper left corner of the site). Each section begins with a short video examining a work, narrated in German, with subtitles available in English and German. After playing this video, users can scroll down to read more and view images of example artworks by artists contemporary with Caravaggio and Bernini. For example, Vision begins with a recorded examination of Artemisia Gentileschi's Mary Magdalen in Ecstasy and also includes Caravaggio's St Francis in Meditation. At the bottom of each page, the previous and next sections are linked. The exhibition also contains Baroque Stars in Rome, an about the artists section, which explains the environment in which Caravaggio and Bernini worked. The site text is available in English and German. [DS]

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Readers interested in exploring the strange and intriguing world of the microcosmos will want to check out "Journey to the Microcosmos." This YouTube channel features a series of short videos that generate a lot of intrigue about the little parts of our world, reminding us that "there are things we cannot see that we must nonetheless watch out for." Most videos are around ten minutes long and explore various topics surrounding the microcosmos. Viewers can explore its history from beginning (see "How Do Microorganisms Reproduce?") to end (see "Death in the Microcosmos"). Though the channel is fairly new--the first video was released in June 2019--it has already gained the support of over 250,000 subscribers. The creative visuals and captivating dialogue used make the complex world of the microcosmos accessible to scientists and laypeople alike. And, with a healthy blend of humor and hard science, it's an excellent resource for educators in the field. The videos are narrated by Hank Green, with music production from Andrew Huang and visuals from James Weiss. [EMB]

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Scientific argumentation is described as "a social process in which students build, question, and critique claims using evidence about the natural world." The Argumentation Toolkit curates resources meant to assist middle-school educators in understanding and applying this method. Readers may want to begin on the Intro page, which includes a few short videos and printable informational sheets detailing the basic premise and elements of scientific argumentation. From there, explore the Argument Elements page, which is broken into four sections based on four elements of scientific argumentation: evidence, reasoning, student interaction, and competing claims. Each section includes videos that describe suggested activities and strategies to implement these elements. On the Resources page, readers will find additional tools and guides, including videos with classroom scenarios (ranging in length from 2 to 20 minutes). The Teacher Learning page features four sessions with agendas (totaling three hours) meant as teacher in-service programming. Those looking for additional resources on scientific argumentation may want to browse the About page for a list of journal articles and conference presentations on the topic. The Toolkit is a collaboration between the National Science Foundation, Group 5 Media, Boston College, and the Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley. [EMB]

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1001 Inventions is dedicated to "Discovering the Past, Inspiring a Better Future." Uplifting work that spans cultures, faiths, and genders to impact our global world, the organization particularly aimed at "rais[ing] awareness of the creative golden age of Muslim civilization that stretched from Spain to China." Readers new to the work of the organization may want to begin on the About 1001 Inventions page (found in the far-right corner), where they can learn about the organization's mission and partners. From there, readers can navigate the other pages available on the website. The Home page features the latest new and stories, as well as information on upcoming events. News stories can also be found on the News page. On the Discover page, visitors will find clips of award-winning movies, photo exhibits, and other resources curated by the organization. The Productions page also features many of these exhibits, such as "Journeys from a Golden Age with Ibn Battuta," an exhibit that "takes visitors on a journey to follow quests and unravel exciting stories from an age of travel and discovery in Muslim civilization." Though it's a British-based organization, 1001 Inventions has a world-wide reach, as exemplified by the Global Events pages that categories dozens of happenings on nearly every continent. On this page, users can view photos and highlights from exhibitions and events around the world. [EMB]

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"How did Baldwin use his art form--his writing--as a form of political protest to shape the objectives of the civil rights movement and extend its reach to the LGBT community?" This question is among those explored in James Baldwin: Art, Sexuality, and Civil Rights. The lesson plan explores the life of the writer and activist and relates his work to larger themes of gender-justice, sexuality, and civil rights. The themes and resources it encompasses may be a great addition to high school history, social studies, or language arts curriculum. The lesson plan includes handouts, a PowerPoint, and discussion and personal reflection questions, as well as suggested listening material (a seven-minute clip, "American Lives: James Baldwin, Lifting the Veil," from NPR's Morning Edition), which illuminate Baldwin's role as a prominent literary figure and activist. Those who enjoy this plan may want to check out the additional three lesson plans included as a part of The Role of Gay Men and Lesbians in the Civil Rights Movement unit, which also features Lorraine Hansberry, Pauli Murray, and Bayard Rustin. These lessons were created by Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center dedicated to "educat[ing] children and youth to be active participants in diverse democracies." [EMB]

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Carpenter, Cuban activist, corporal: Jose Antonio Aponte was a man of many professions. His life and legacy are explored through Digital Aponte, a collection of resources that inform users of his history and influence. A large piece of Aponte's legacy is his "book of paintings" - a collection allegedly lost, though emblematically explored through this resource. Readers may want to begin on the Home and Jose Antonio Aponte pages for context and a brief biography introducing Aponte's story. From there, check out the pages under Book of Paintings, which include a link to a Trial Transcript (in Spanish) of Aponte's interrogation from Spanish officials, as well as an archive of "Laminas" - pages detailing Aponte's work. On the Image Gallery page, visitors will find "a sampling of the architecture, art, and other types of visual culture... intended to provide the reader with a preliminary understanding of the environment with which Aponte may have engaged." The Aponte's Library offers an interactive bookshelf composed of texts testified to during Aponte's trial as being part of his personal collection. The Aponte's Havana page maps out locations relevant to the artist's life and work. The Visionary Aponte Exhibit is available in both English and Spanish and features an explanation of Aponte's paintings and trial (where he was made to explain his artistic work). This page links to a variety of articles and exhibits displaying "reimagined" interoperations of Aponte's work. Finally, the Bibliography page may be of interest to those who want to take a deeper dive into Aponte's story. The website was created by a team of professors and students from New York University, with content support from other professors around the world. [EMB]

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Shaking up the world, "or at least their corner of it": this was the selection criteria used to create The Undefeated: "44 African Americans Who Shook Up the World." The name is a nod to America's 44th President, and this resource profiles a diverse blend of influential Black leaders, including musicians, activists, academics, entrepreneurs, and athletes. Each feature includes a graphic portrait, tagline depicting why they were selected, and brief biography highlighting major accomplishments. Features include artist Jean-Michel Basquiat ("Because without Basquiat, there'd be no graffiti. Without Basquiat, there'd be no Banksy,") and politician Shirley Chisholm ("Because before 'Yes We Can' there was 'Unbought and Unbossed,'"). The resource is both engaging and informative, and after clicking through the slides, users will leave with a better understanding of the various platforms individuals used to push for racial justice and representation. Users looking to skip to a particular individual can hover over "See Full List" in the top left corner. The list's introduction was written by Kevin Merida, with profiles written by various staff members at the The Undefeated and portraits from Robert Ball. A branch of ESPN, The Undefeated brands itself as "the premier platform for exploring the intersections of race, sports and culture." [EMB]

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The Color Purple by Alice Walker, Beloved by Toni Morrison, Ain't I a Woman? Black Women and Feminism by bell hooks - these titles are staples of many literary-enthusiasts' bookshelves. Yet, the powerful and transformative writing of Black women is too often erased from dominant narratives in literary discussion. The ZORA Canon's list of "The 100 greatest books ever written by African American Women," seeks to correct that. The list includes work from prominent literary figures and underappreciated writers, exploring multifaceted themes: friendship, oppression, love, politics, patriarchy, and spirituality, to name a few. The titles are divided into typographical and chronological categories such as Civil Rights & Black Power and A New Black Golden Age and are meant to "form a revealing mosaic of the Black American experience," while also creating an accessible list of what the selection committee deems "just great reads." The list was created by a selection committee comprised of professors, critics, authors, and other literary authorities, and is featured on ZORA, "a Medium publication for women of color." Readers who enjoy this list may also want to check out ZORA's list of "Ten to Watch," linked in this resource (under "The Next Generation"), which highlights "the next generation of greats." [EMB]

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Wole Soyinka boasts an impressive resume as a poet, playwright, and political revolutionary, with honors such as winning the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature. In this two-part episode of The Documentary Podcast (each part is just over 20-minutes long) Soyinka visits Biafra to confront the man that imprisoned him for his critiques of the Nigerian War and government several decades ago. The episode discusses the Biafran War ("a tragedy beyond what one can describe"), differing ideas of sovereignty and succession, and the conditions and impact of Soyinka's arrest. Though this 2007 podcast episode comes from the series' archives, The Documentary Podcast frequently uploads new episodes that readers may also enjoy. Produced by BBC World Service, the podcast covers a global array of current and historical events - stretching from Hong Kong to Russia to Sierra Leone - on a mission to provide "the latest documentaries investigating global developments, issues and affairs." Interested readers can find hundreds of episodes from the series on the website or their favorite streaming platform, such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. [EMB]

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Dust3D is a tool for creating 3D models to use in 3D printing, video game development, or other computer graphics applications. It is designed to be simple and easy to use, especially for users without extensive experience with other model generation software. The Dust3D documentation places particular emphasis on creating models of real world objects from reference photos. The Make a 3D Model From Scratch Using Dust3D section of the documentation contains a 23-minute tutorial video that builds a model of a mosquito from reference photos. Under The Easiest Game Asset Pipeline section on the Dust3D site, users can find instructions for using models created with Dust3D in game engines such as Unreal, Unity, or Godot. Dust3D is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. [CRH]

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Dar is a backup and archiving utility with a particular emphasis on correctness and precision. Unlike archiving tools that only replicate file contents, Dar works to exactly recreate hardlinked files, extended attributes of various types, macOS resource forks, file sparseness, and a variety of other file attributes. Dar also takes steps to work correctly when backing up a live filesystem (one that may be modified while the backup is running). If a file is modified while being backed up, Dar can detect this and retry that file several times. If the file is being repeatedly modified such that Dar is unable to get a clean copy of the file, this file will be flagged as 'dirty' so that the user can be notified of the potential problems. Most other archiving tools make no attempt to detect or correct this situation. In addition to full backups, Dar can also produce incremental, differential, and decremental backups. Backups can be encrypted, compressed, and split into fixed-size "slices" (e.g., for burning to a set of DVDs). Under the Asking for Support section of the Dar site, users can locate both a tutorial and a mini how-to demonstrating typical Dar usage. Under the Download section, users can locate installers for Windows and macOS systems. Users of Linux and BSD systems can find Dar in their OS package manager. [CRH]

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Short but significant, Black History Mini Docs, last featured in the 02-01-2019 Scout Report, is a great resource to better understand the work of African American leaders who shaped history.

Black History Mini Docs (BHMD) offers its visitors "a fast and entertaining way to educate young and old about the varying contributions of Blacks in American history." As its name suggests, this resource creates and publishes short documentary videos that tell the stories of notable African-American figures throughout history as well as some "everyday unsung heroes in the Black community." Some of the figures highlighted in this series of 90-second videos include poet Langston Hughes, civil rights leaders Ida B. Wells and Betty Shabazz, and music legend Nina Simone. If 90 seconds is still too long, BHMD also occasionally produces "Micro Docs" with similar content that are only 20 seconds long. Readers may also want to check out BHMD's stories section, where they will find written biographies of historical figures like Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., who was New York's first Congressman of African-American descent and held office from 1945-1971. Those interested in contemporary commentary in the context of Black history will find this type of discussion in this site's blog. BHMD is the creation of award-winning director Neema Barnette and filmmaker Reed R. McCants.

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