Victorian Flea Circuses: A Lost Art Form "QUANTUM SHOT" #549Link - by A. Abrams If you can make a flea cooperate with you, you're probably good at politics I have to say, this is probably the strangest subject we ever talked about on Dark Roasted Blend. However, it is such a rich showcase of miniature art and craftmanship, and the "wow" factor is there as well: A flea, with legs finer than a human hair, can pull up to 700 times its own weight! (art credit: Leah Palmer Preiss) "Big fleas have little fleas... Andy Clark sends us his latest project - he's been researching this topic for about four years now and regularly publishes new discoveries along with other flea news on the Flea Circus Research Library blog. "The idea to make a Victorian Flea Chariot came to me when I wondered if it's possible to use simple techniques available in the 1800s to make one today. The chariot is approx 10mm long by 7mm wide and made from brass; the wheels are 5mm in diameter. Making the chariot can be seen here, with video of a final product. ...
Science Matters Yah, I know some of us are winding down from schooling for the summer months, but I can’t help but stay on the lookout for resources I know I’m going to be needing again all too soon. I’ve come across some interesting science things of late that I want to check out – perhaps you, too, can find something useful. For your perusal: Free Online Textbooks and Curriculum Chemistry Packets: 13 units of chemistry; also has links to YouTube chemistry videos Classic Science Life: free life science e-textbook to download; either download by chapter (there are 36) or by unit (9 units); online courses also offered MS Nucleus: free science curriculum, K – 6 and some secondary Science Interactives and Videos Annenberg Learner : animations on a number of topics, including volcanos, DNA, the rock cycle and others; also has interactive on subjects other then science wickED: animations about the earth, including plate tectonics, the rock cycle Bytesize Science: chemistry videos ilabcentral: virtual lab