The Scout Report -- Volume 27, Number 39

The history and literature of Central America are underrepresented in school curricula, which motivated the nonprofit Teaching for Change to launch the Teaching Central America campaign. The campaign aims to provide teachers with lesson plans, book lists, poetry, biographies of historical figures, and other resources to "put Central America on the map in schools." The campaign highlights prominent Central American authors such as Roque Dalton, Rigoberta Menchu, Claribel Alegria, and Ernesto Cardenal, who tackle key issues including land reform, indigenous and women's rights, labor, environmental protection, politics, and relations with the U.S. In menu on the page linked above, users can find links to downloadable lesson plans for elementary, middle, and high school (in the Lessons drop-down menu); a list of fiction and nonfiction books for students (organized by grade level) or adults (click "Books"); an overview of the region's cinema ("Films"); a selection of "Poetry & Prose" literature in English and Spanish; and links to learn more about contemporary Central American artists ("Art"). For further resources, including news, history, podcasts, and current events, visitors can click "More" in the menu. Readers can also test their knowledge about Central America by clicking "Take Quiz" at the bottom of the page. [HCL]

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Miniature Calendar is an online exhibition in calendar form, created by artist Tatsuya Tanaka, whose work Miniature Life continually asks questions such as: what if this stalk of broccoli were a tree? These leaves floating on the surface of water, boats? Presented online as a daily calendar, Tanaka's photographs show mostly figures arranged diorama-style surrounded by everyday objects. As an example, the Aug. 1, 2021 photo creates a restaurant scene from dominos, whose black dots represent burners on which tiny figures cook food. To see the evolution of Tanaka's style, visitors can explore the Archive, which dates back to April 2011. A two-minute video embedded in the "About" section provides a look into Tanaka's studio, including the drawers of cataloged objects the artist employs and the 3D printing used to create new ones. There are also links to physical exhibitions of Tanaka's Miniature Life (click "Exhibition") and merchandise such as books, puzzles, T-shirts, and of course, printed calendars (click "Product"). Follow on Instagram (@tanaka_tatsuya) for new photos each day. [DS]

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Billed as "the world's easiest chart builder app," ChartBlocks lets users build and customize a chart in minutes using data from almost any source (or multiple sources), even live feeds and external databases. To make a chart, users choose from dozens of chart types such as bar, line, area, scatter, or pie, then use the data import wizard for a step-by-step walk-through of the design process. Once created, charts are easy to embed in websites or share through social media. The free personal plan offers up to 50 active charts (for up to 50,000 monthly views across platforms) that can be exported as vector graphics or PNG images. Note that charts created with the free personal plan will have a ChartBlocks watermark. [HCL]

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As the "oldest, largest, and most popular online bookstore dedicated to African-American and Black literature from around the world," the African American Literature Book Club (AALBC) is a rich source of top-quality literature and more. Founded and managed by award-winning educator and public speaker Troy Johnson, AALBC provides numerous useful resources. Clicking "Authors" in the menu at the top of the page provides visitors with profiles of over 5,000 Black authors and illustrators. In the same menu there are book and film reviews ("Reviews"), lists of noteworthy and bestselling books ("Books"), and a discussion forum for the #readingblack campaign ("Discussion"), which encourages the consumption of books by Black authors. AALBC also coordinates with events promoting Black literature ("Events"), including book fairs, literary festivals, conferences and conventions, award shows, and more. Finally, the "Resources" page includes links to services for readers, such as lists of Black-owned bookstores, newspapers, websites, and blogs; book clubs across the U.S., Canada, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and author resources such as manuscript editing, book printing, and beyond. Scholars of literature, Black and African American history and culture, and sociology, as well as readers seeking to expand their understanding of the Black experience, will find AALBC to be a comprehensive and impeccably-curated collection of knowledge and culture which demonstrates that "Black literature is for everyone." [RMP]

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Linguists and anthropologists are familiar with the rush to gather and preserve data and field notes on endangered cultures and languages. The Pacific and Regional Archive for Digital Sources in Endangered Cultures (PARADISEC) aims to document, preserve, and share such data, to benefit scholars and the communities about which data were collected. The archive houses an extensive and ever-growing digitized collection of records on endangered cultures and languages from across the world. Its 630 collections represent more than 1,200 languages and include more than 14,000 hours of audio recordings and 2,000 hours of video, as well as digitized copies of field notes from noted linguists. The collection mainly comprises cultures and languages from the Pacific region, but also contains records from Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. On the page linked above, visitors can search by "Collections" or by "Items" (both linked in the menu bar), which offer unrestricted access via OLAC or LINGUIST LIST gateways. PARADISEC is a consortium of three Australian universities: the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University, and the University of Sydney. [RMP]

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You're Wrong About, the hilarious and edifying "podcast about misremembered history," revisits pop culture stories, public figures, and historical events that have been widely misrepresented or misunderstood. Hosted by journalists Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall, each one-hour episode thoroughly debunks everything that you thought you knew about pop history, tackling subjects as diverse as the 1980s satanic panic, acid rain, and whether Yoko Ono broke up the Beatles. While setting the facts straight, the hosts also try to explain how and why human beings are susceptible to misinformation, with particular focus on pop psychology, media criticism, moral panics, and the criminal justice system. Listeners looking to jump in could start with topics such as "Kitty Genovese and Bystander Apathy" (June 20, 2019), "Anna Nicole Smith" (Feb. 20, 2019), "Killer Clowns" (Sept. 21, 2020), or "Koko the Gorilla" (July 6, 2020). You're Wrong About can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and most other podcast platforms. Listeners can also access episodes on their web browser by clicking "Episodes" on the page linked above, then "here." Readers may want to follow the podcast on Twitter (@yourewrongabout) for updates and announcements. [MJZ]

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Is it true that chewing gum stays in your gut for seven years? Did a megalodon really terrorize cruise ship passengers? How much should parents worry about the Halloween candy their children receive? Founded in 1994 by David Mikkelson, Snopes has grown into one of the internet's most reputable (and busy) fact-checkers of such claims and other folklore, urban legends, hoaxes, frauds, and misinformation. While the publication also features original investigative reporting, fact-checking remains its bread and butter. On the page linked above, readers will find quick links to trending topics or can use the menu at the top to easily find recent pieces ("Latest") or the most popular fact-checks ("Top"). Readers can also click on "Collections" to access fact-check articles grouped around prominent topics, such as rumors about masks and COVID-19, marijuana usage, and tales of the supernatural. Users looking for a deep dive can browse the "Archives" for information about Lost Legends, Old Wives' Tales, and Frauds & Scams, among other categories. Those seeking details about Snopes's editorial process, rating system, and data sources can scroll the page above to find an "FAQ" with this and other relevant information. Readers can also submit their own topic for review through an easy three-step process. Snopes is an independent publication owned by Snopes Media Group, and can also be found on Facebook and Twitter (@snopes on both platforms). [MJZ]

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Every week since 2006, the award-winning podcast Skeptoid has taken a critical, science-based look at popular pseudoscience and misinformation. Hosted by Brian Dunning, each 15-minute episode dispenses with the rhetoric in favor of what the evidence can (and cannot) say about topics such as consumer frauds, urban legends, alternative medicine, and conspiracy theories. In the spirit of Halloween, listeners may want to start with episodes on chilling topics such as "Borley Rectory: The World's Most Haunted House?" (Episode #53), "The Haitian Zombies" (Episode #262), "Ghost Photography" (Episode #455), or "The Vampire of Croglin Grange" (Episode #769). On the page linked above, users can find a chronological list of all episodes (click on "Episode Guide" under the About tab on the main menu) or browse the Topics tab for episodes organized by categories such as Aliens & UFOs, Ancient Mysteries, Cryptozoology, and Paranormal. Teachers will love the free educational resources and classroom content available in the "Teachers Toolkit" (under the Community tab). In addition to the podcast, readers can sign up for a weekly email newsletter ("Podcast Companion Email" under the same tab), which includes a transcript, upcoming events, and more. Skeptoid is produced by Skeptoid Media, an educational nonprofit that "encourages science literacy and critical thinking by producing free, STEM-focused educational and entertainment content." Listeners can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or other podcatchers, and follow Skeptoid on Twitter (@skeptoid) and Facebook (@skeptoidpodcast). [MJZ]

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The ambiguity and openness of works of art makes them wonderful objects for critical analysis and reasoning. Teachers and art lovers will enjoy this free online professional development course from the National Gallery of Art (previously featured in the 03-27-2020 edition of the Scout Report). Adapted from the museum's professional development programs for teachers, Teaching Critical Thinking through Art prepares educators to use artworks to help their students develop and strengthen critical thinking skills. In five lessons, educators will learn how to facilitate classroom conversations about art, encourage learners of all levels to use evidence-based reasoning, and integrate online teaching resources from the National Gallery of Art into lesson plans. Even non-educators will want to take advantage of the opportunity to explore and think critically about the featured works of art. The course can be completed in three ways: directly on the page linked above, through EdX (linked on the same page), or in a series of YouTube videos (linked under "Watch and Listen" in the menu on the left side of the page). The National Gallery of Art, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is a national center of art, education, and culture with a collection of more than 150,000 works of art. [MJZ]

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Fewer topics are more important or more fraught with misinformation than health and medicine. General readers, health care professionals, writers, and journalists who want to get the best scientific perspectives on alternative medicine, miracle cures, medical fraud, and the wellness industry should look no further than Science-Based Medicine (SBM), which promotes scientific reasoning and critical thinking in the evaluation of medical treatments and products. On the page linked above, visitors will find two kinds of helpful resources. First, there are blog-style posts offering the latest evidence about medical claims, news about recent scientific discoveries, and commentary on issues of contemporary and perennial interest. Readers can scroll through the latest posts or find those organized by popular topics such as Chiropractic, Energy Medicine, Nutrition, Health Fraud, and even Veterinary Medicine. Second, in the Reference drop-down menu, SBM offers materials on major topics and issues such as Homeopathy, Vaccines & Autism, and Acupuncture. Each reference page provides a scientific overview of the topic, an index of relevant blog posts, summaries of peer-reviewed research, and links to external resources. The material produced for SBM comes from medically trained professionals who are dedicated to educating the public about science and medicine and advocating for high health care standards. SBM is operated by the New England Skeptical Society, a donor-funded nonprofit pursuing critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning. Follow SBM on Twitter and Facebook (@sciencebasedmed on both platforms). [MJZ]

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OpenBoard is interactive whiteboard software designed for educators of all levels. The user interface focuses on simplicity and ease of use, which its developers say will "help you do your job and does not get in the way." The whiteboard can be driven with a mouse or with a tablet and pen. To find instructions for incorporating pictures, audio, video, interactive applications, and other kinds of multimedia into whiteboard presentations, readers can find a PDF User's Guide by clicking "Documentation" in the menu at the top of the page. This also provides a detailed reference for creating and modifying whiteboard pages and presentations. Users can find installers for Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu Linux systems by clicking "Downloads" in the menu. OpenBoard was originally developed at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and has been used by instructors there since 2003. [CRH]

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For a tool offering a SQL-like query and update language for CSV, TSV, LTSV, JSON, and fixed-width data files, readers should check out csvq. Users can extract subsets of the data using the familiar SELECT ... WHERE syntax; generate summaries with aggregate functions such as COUNT, AVG, MEDIAN, and others; or transform the structure of a data file with ALTER TABLE statements. Multiple operations can be handled as a group using csvq's interactive shell. Within these groups of operations, users can also make use of several familiar features from database systems, including variables, cursors, and temporary tables. The "Command Usage" section of the Reference Manual (in the menu on the left side of the page) describes the various ways that csvq can be invoked and gives examples of each. The remainder of the manual provides a detailed technical reference to the query language. The "Download" link on the page linked above provides binaries for Windows, macOS, Linux, and BSD systems. [CRH]

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Since being featured in the 10-17-2014 issue of the Scout Report, the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry has been renamed the Center for Inquiry. However, its mission and the quality of the articles and resources in Skeptical Inquirer have remained the same. Readers may especially benefit from the magazine's efforts to combat misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wondering whether GMOs could actually impact your health? Looking for coverage of the debate between creationists and evolutionists? Check out Skeptical Inquirer, the flagship publication of the Center for Inquiry (CFI), a nonprofit educational organization whose mission is to "promote scientific inquiry, critical investigation, and the use of reason in examining controversial and extraordinary claims." Readers can start on the page linked above with The Latest, a selection of articles and news, or look at the most Popular Articles from the magazine's archives. While some articles require a subscription, many are freely available. On the same page, readers can enjoy some of CFI's blogs on topics such as the news media, atheism, and free speech. CFI also publishes a Spanish-language companion magazine called Pensar. Readers can follow the latest on Twitter (@skeptinquirer) or Facebook (@skepticalinquirer). [CNH] [MJZ]

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