General Interest
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STEM Everyday Podcast
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Science |
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Since its launch six years ago, the STEM Everyday podcast has produced nearly 200 episodes packed full of useful resources for STEM educators. Hosted by Chris Woods, a high school math teacher, education presenter, and author, the show "provides practical help for teachers to build a STEM culture," by highlighting knowledge from innovative members of the STEM community. Woods is driven by the principle that "STEM is everywhere," and this comes to life on the show thanks to guests from all backgrounds. The podcast may be particularly useful for educators looking for unique ways to get "non-science" oriented students interested in the vast possibilities that STEM subjects can create. For example, guests explore the STEM principles inherent to esports (Episode 162) and makerspaces (Episode 155). As the makerspaces expert, Liz Gallo, emphasizes: "a good STEM education teacher helps connect making and doing and creating and playing to real content." The show is also special in that it shares expertise from educators at all grade levels, from university professors to kindergarten teachers. Most episodes are approximately 30 minutes, and this brevity, combined with Woods's conversational tone, make STEM Everyday an easy and enjoyable listen. In addition to the link above, readers can tune in on most popular podcast platforms. [EMB] |
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Canals
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Social studies |
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Several of the University of Richmond's American Panorama maps have been featured in past issues of the Scout Report. Like its sister projects, Canals combines historical analysis with interactive imagery for a superb user experience. Canals were a vital part of the emergence of American markets, connecting ports and shaping trade channels. These waterways also influenced "American regionalism" by broadening the capacity for geographic areas to connect. On the map, users can choose one of the dozens of canals available. This selection reveals a synopsis of the canal's physical features and location, as well as its economic purpose. Plus, a scrollable map and timeline allow users to better understand the relationships between different canals. The map's data were largely pulled from Jeremy Attack's 19th Century Canals. A full list of sources is available by clicking the "About this Map" link in the top-left corner. Canals was created by several members of Richmond's Digital Scholarship Lab team, including Robert K. Nelson, Scott Nesbit, Edward L. Ayers, Justin Madron, Nathaniel Ayers, and Beaumont Smith. It is supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. [EMB] |
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Data Visualization Society
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Social studies |
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Data visualization projects serve many purposes: a creative outlet, an information vessel, and often a combination of the two achieved by distilling complex information into fun, digestible infographics. The Scout Report frequently features top data visualizations; perhaps some of these annotations have sparked readers' interest in creating their own project. If so, the Data Visualization Society is a great resource. Currently free to join, the membership site is a one-stop shop for data viz publications, programs, and tools. Plus, there are resources for all experience levels. For example, those new to data visualization may value the Office Hours program (appropriately listed under the Programs tab). Hosted by experienced members, these sessions provide virtual support to those with questions on a specific project or those seeking more general support as they dive into data visualization work. Another wonderful offering is the Fireside Chats series (also under Programs), a Zoom-based meetup covering topics of interest to community members. Recordings of past sessions are also available. Additionally, readers may want to check out the Resources section, which includes a list of relevant books and, for experienced creators with an existing portfolio, a catalog of data visualization awards for which creators can apply. [EMB] |
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Museum of disABILITY History: Virtual Museum
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Social studies |
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The Museum of disABILITY History is on a mission to increase "the understanding, acceptance and independence of people with disabilities," and hopes to serve as "a platform for dialogue and discovery." Though the physical location in Buffalo, New York unfortunately closed in December 2020, readers from around the world can explore its exhibits online. Six topics are covered: media, medicine, society, New York, education, and advocacy. Users can simply click on the corresponding banner or link to explore each topic's many exhibits. For example, in the Media Wing, visitors will find a timeline of key publications and performances. In the Education Wing, readers can browse images of relevant people and places. Complementing the virtual museum is the Educational Resources section. Here, instructors will find a wealth of classroom tools that reflect and expand on the museum's exhibits. Lesson plans are created for a variety of ages, from pre-K through high school. The Museum of disABILITY History is connected to People Inc., a non-profit human services agency based in Western New York. In addition to People Inc., the museum received support from the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation. [EMB] |
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DailyArt
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Arts |
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DailyArt is an app developed by Zuzanna Stanska, an art historian who heads Moiseum (a company she founded in 2012 to help museums and cultural heritage institutions use technology). Once downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play, users have options to customize DailyArt to use any of its 16 languages and select a time of day (morning, afternoon, or evening) to get notified about content. Then, as the name suggests, users will receive a daily art image accompanied by a story. For example, a recent feature was Boy with a Basket of Fruit, a 16th-century painting by Caravaggio, and the accompanying story detailed the painting's provenance and acquisition. The free version of the app includes ads, and users are prompted frequently to upgrade to have ads removed and unlock more features. Despite this, DailyArt provides bite-size inspiration that is perfect for pandemic life. The app's website also links to the DailyArt Magazine, an online publication with additional art history stories and content. [DS] |
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