Design Inspiration: Origami Organelles!

"Origami Organelles" seems like an oxymoron, but company founders Dominic and Melanie Delaney thought otherwise.

The two former research scientists combined their love of science with the ancient paper art of origami to create a fun way to help people better understand science concepts. 

After clicking over to the Origami Organelles website, you can purchase and download printable files which you can then cut out and assemble to better understand the structure and functions of everything from teeth to eyeballs to alcohol molecules (images of some of the finished models are pictured in this post.)

There's something nice about this tactile, making aspect of learning science that I'm sure helps Origami Organelle users really internalize the science concepts featured in the paper models.

Once you pay for a model (or a discounted bundle of models) you can print out as many as you want, so even a cash-strapped classroom teacher or museum educator can find some great inexpensive additions to a science (or maker!) program.

Check out the Origami Organelle website or Facebook page for more info.

Water Cycle Paper Model from Origami Organelles

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100 Extremely Useful Search Engines for Science

Here's one of those handy compendium web pages that's well worth bookmarking:
100 Extremely Useful Search Engines for Science.

(I especially liked PhysicsCentral...)

Thanks to Amber Johnson for bringing the list to my attention!

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Are Museums Creating Enough Risks For Visitors?

Since I'm part of a session called "Are Science Centers Missing The Science?" at the upcoming ASTC Conference in Fort Worth, I've been pondering the roles that "danger" and "risk" play in science education and science museums.

As you can see from the video at the top of this posting, starring my pal Ian Simmons from the UK, even a discussion of the calories in food can become interesting if an element of danger (like pure oxygen and metal-cutting flames!) is introduced.

There seems to be a wonderfully subversive undercurrent of "controlled danger" in the work of William Gurstelle (through his books like Backyard Ballistics) and groups like the Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories.  (Of course the fine folks at United Nuclear can provide supplies for your tinkering ...)

In addition, folks like Gever Tulley (and his Tinkering School) and Lenore Skenazy (of the Free-Range Kids blog)  argue that what kids (and adults!) need to learn is MORE risk and independence, not less.

In these troubled times, when many museums seem to be "hunkering down" and waiting for the economy to improve, should we also be thinking of ways to take more risks in the programs and exhibits we develop, not less?

Before you argue that building places for open-ended, messy activities and physical risks aren't possible with a phalanx of lawyers or nervous board members around every corner, I hope you'll visit the websites of The City Museum or PATH (PlayAssociation Tower Hamlets) to get a little "risky" inspiration!

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Brought To Life: Exploring The History Of Medicine

 

We've written previously about cool web-based resources here at ExhibiTricks that help explicate information about the human body, but I recently came across a website with a slightly more focused approach.

The Science Museum in London has created a site called "Brought To Life" that aims to provide resources and activities concerning the history of medicine.  Drawing upon the Science Museum's vast collections and educational expertise, the Brought To Life site includes great information about a range of medical-related topics including hospitals, epidemics, and my personal favorite --- the history of surgery and surgeon's tools.

Naturally there's enough multimedia fun to keep kids busy, as well as a great many photographs of collection objects and in-depth explanation of medical topics that will be of use to students and teachers.

All in all,  Brought To Life is a great website to check out and add to your bookmarks.  Who knows the next time you might have to gather some information about bone saws?

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