Academics in a Box Inc. was founded to inspire in students a desire to learn more about the sciences and humanities. Our products aim to allow students a new way to experience the beauty, poetry, and wonder of our universe through hands-on experience. Our foundation is based on the ideas that by “doing” and “experiencing,” students are more motivated to become inquisitive about the world around them. It’s this curiosity and creative thinking that are at the heart of developing a love of learning. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) is used as a guide to ensure that our products supplement the learning that takes place in the classroom. We aim to take students beyond simple memorization of facts and figures by helping them gain a better understanding of significant science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) practice and application, as well as gain a deeper appreciation of the materials they are presented with.
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Latest Posts by academicsinabox - Page 5
NASA's annual Day of Remembrance. January 28, 1986 In Memoriam: The Crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger. In the back row (left to right) are Ellison S. Onizuka, Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Greg Jarvis, and Judy Resnik. In the front row (left to right) are Mike Smith, Dick Scobee, and Ron McNair. STS-33 (51-L) http://ow.ly/3yWVw1 #NASA #Challenger
Think outside of the box. That's where the magic happens.
"Blowing in the Wind" - GROOVY SNEAK PEEK! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...Count down to "Blowing in the Wind" - Groove on over to our website then click JOIN NOW! to do the "E" in STEM! Engineering Design Challenge: You are a groovy mechanical engineer who is inspired by the story of a young boy from Malawi, who, at fourteen years old, battled through extreme poverty to build a series of windmills from scratch that could generate electricity for his village – a luxury enjoyed by only 2 percent in Malawi. Using only the materials in your Groovy Lab in a Box, can you design and build a windmill which can fetch a pail of grooviness for those in need? Blowing in the Wind - Engineering Design Process During your Engineering Design Process, you will design and build several different kinds of groovy windmills. Explore and investigate forces and motion, potential and kinetic energy associated with windmills, various parts of a windmill, how different blade designs affect performance and how energy is transferred from wind into usable mechanical energy and much, much more. #STEMists do the "E" in #STEM! Engineering Design Challenge in every groovy box!
"It's Electric!" is now available as a groovy SINGLE BOX! Groove on over to our website, click SINGLE BOXES to do the "E" in STEM! Here is one of the many investigation activities in "It's Electric!" - made with paper circuits and groovy LED lights. Investigate electricity while constructing a groovy door alarm. Explore switches, the origin & structure of the atom. Acquire various science and engineering practices aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and much, much more. Groovy Lab in a Box is hands-on STEM, project based learning made FUN! #STEMists do the "E" in #STEM! Engineering Design Challenge in every groovy box! Engineering Design Challenge: You are a groovy electrical engineer who has been contracted by the latest groovy dance group. Using only the materials from your Groovy Lab in a Box, can you design and build a groovy dance pad with specific criteria and constraints? #NationOfMakers #STEMforKids #STEMEducation #STEMEd #ProjectBasedLearning #PBLChat #PBL #STEMtastic #unschooling #ElemEd #EdChat #homeschoolscience #instascience #STEMChallenge #NGSS #MakerEd #EngineeringDesignProcess #STEMist #GroovyLabInABox #GroovyLab #STEMChat #Maker #FutureEngineer #Parenting #MakerSpace #FutureScientist
It's time for another GROOVY giveaway! Enter to win a ONE-YEAR subscription to Groovy Lab in a Box: >>>Enter here: http://www.groovylabinabox.com/enter-to-win-a-groovy-one-year-subscription/
Where is MOM? In Martian Orbit! India’s First Mars Mission (MOM) Met Mars on SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 #Mom #Mars #isro #marsmission #mangalyaan
It's #ThrowBackThursday! Atomic Energy Lab by Gilbert! | #STEM #STEMEd #TBT #STEMEducation#STEMists#STEMist#Science#Tech#Engineering#Math#KidActivities#kidscience#HomeSchool#Teacher#StayCurious#TeachersofInstagram#ScienceRocks#DIY#FutureScientist#Scienceisfun#Scienceiscool#education#homeschoolscience#handsonlearning
Wear Your Chromosomes: Jewelry Collection Made from 3D Prints of Microscopy Data
The X and Y-chromosomes found in humans are now wearable. Electron microscopist, Louise Hughes, has created a jewelry collection designed to mirror the look and shape of human chromosomes. Hughes designs every piece from microscopy data and produces it using 3D printing technology. Having already used the structures of organisms to create other jewelry pieces, Hughes felt she could not leave out the essential DNA and chromosomes. The 46 chromosomes found in our cells have never before been so beautifully displayed and worn.
As humans the genes in our DNA, as well as our environment, come to define us. When cells divide, chromosomes compress and form distinct shapes. Those shapes are what inspire the jewelry pieces made by Hughes. Male chromosomes, X and Y, female chromosomes, X and X and the triplet 21st chromosome that causes Down’s syndrome are all replicated in the human chromosome jewelry line. From rings and pendants, to earrings and cufflinks, the stainless steel, bronze, and silver pieces are available in both, karyotpye 1 or 2 structural designs. It has been said that art imitates life and with the human chromosome jewelry designs by Louise Hughes, art is literally replicates life.
Explore the Human Chromosome Jewelry Collection by Louise Hudges on Kickstarter.
- Lee Jones
Scientists have started to study how dogs take emotional cues from human voices. According to the head researcher: "We’d put an experienced dog up in the scanner, and he’d be up there sitting still. Then we’d bring into the room a less experienced dog. And he’d get so jealous! He just wanted to be on the scanner bed like the other dog. It became the place of happiness."
Photos Courtesy of Borbala Ferenczy and Eniko Kubinyi
Diagram adapted from “Voice-Sensitive Regions in the Dog and Human Brain Are Revealed by Comparative fMRI" by Attila Andics et al.
TRIP IN TIME: Pioneering Pilots
Patricia Kendall’s journey into aviation began as a clerk for the United States forest patrol. From the local office in Alameda, she directed pilots to fires around California and gathered data.
One day in 1931, with a student’s license in hand, Pat went for her first solo flight around the bay and soon after joined the pilot staff of the San Francisco Bay Airdrome in Alameda in September of that year.
At the Airdrome, Pat became aide to Douglas Warren, head of the division of air traffic law enforcement.
Appointed by Alameda Police Chief Vernon Smith after the passing of Warren, Pat became the country’s first official female air cop, according to newspaper reports.
Pat and her pet poodle, Goofus, kept the air and homes of Alameda safe from daredevil fliers long before the days of commercial airfare.
Researchers take advantage of photography technology developed by the U.S. Army to capture beautiful portraits of bees native to North America.
Superheroes are STEMists
Smart scientists make great superheroes! Who are some of your favorite superheroes?
The cellphone signals we never see, by Nickolay Lamm
Refraction at it's finest! Water Drop Refractions by Markus Reugels http://bit.ly/1amud3u
Whether you are a Cardinals or Red Sox fan, Baseball Players are Scientists? Well, some might be... "It's all about ROTATIONAL INERTIA!" http://bit.ly/1amoJWK World Series 2013 Schedule: http://atmlb.com/16IA90y Credit: Chandra X-ray Center Operated for NASA by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
The Orionid Meteor Shower, Leftovers from Halley's Comet, Set to Peak October 20th - 21st
Is it a Meteoroid, Meteor or a Meteorite? It all depends on its location. If it is in space, it is a meteoroid. If it is in the Earth's atmosphere, it is a meteor. If you can pick it up off the ground, then it is a meteorite. NASA: Small Worlds Big Discoveries: http://1.usa.gov/16mTrbO 10 Need-to-Know Things About Meteoroids, Meteors, and Meteorites: http://1.usa.gov/19YObBj
The Importance of STEM in Elementary Schools Full Infographic: http://bit.ly/19Kf3Vr Credit: Smithsonian Science Education Center
The Scale of the Universe - Time to Investigate! Our STEM-graders love this site! http://htwins.net/scale2/
MapMaker Interactive! Looking for more dynamic maps? Cold fronts, precipitation, climate zones? Explore your world with map themes, data, and tools for customizing your map! http://bit.ly/19GfFeS Printable 1-page maps of continents, countries, and states. Customize one-page maps and download, email, print, or share! http://bit.ly/166rFAb
International Observe the Moon Night (InOMN) is this Saturday, October 12th! Explore the interactive map below to see the location of InOMN 2013 events. http://observethemoonnight.org/ International Observe the Moon Night (InOMN) is an annual event that is dedicated to encouraging people to ‘look up’ and take notice of our nearest neighbor, the Moon. From looking at the Moon with a naked eye to using the most sensitive telescope, every year on the same day, people from around the world hold events and activities that celebrate our Moon. On this site, you can find information about an InOMN event near you or register your own event. We encourage everyone to join us in the celebration!
VOYAGER 1's View From Space! Spacecraft’s journey to interstellar space helps put the solar system (and a lot of other things...) in perspective...remember don't worry, BE HAPPY! http://bit.ly/15RH1Zh