Today’s Champion tree is in Monroe County Florida. It is the Wild Banyantree or Ficus citrifolia. The trunk circumference on this Wild Banyontree is 244 inches and it reaches a height of 42 feet! The crown spread is 83 feet!
Indigenous Americans have contributed in the field of science in numerous ways. Here are just a few of the many indigenous scientists to highlight.
Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte (June 1865-Sep.1915) was one of the first indigenous people and first indigenous woman to earn a medical degree! She worked diligently on public health reforms such as school hygiene, food sanitation, and combat tuberculosis.
Dr. K. Tsianina Lomamawaima was born in 1955. She researched indigenous studies, anthropology, history, and political science. She is currently a professor at Arizona State University! She wrote the book They Called it Prairie Light: The Story of Chilocco Indian School in 1994.
Dr, Leroy Little Bear went to the University of Utah in 1975. He up until 1977 was a researcher at the University of Lethbridge where he is the founding member of the Native American Studies Department. He has received awards such as the Officer Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.
John Herrington, born 1958, served in the U. S, Navy and also was a mission specialist at NASA on the Endeavor space shuttle! He also did work in the Aquarius underwater laboratory simulating survival during extreme conditions.
Mary Golda Ross Aug 1908-April 2008) was an Aerospace Engineer who helped design planes and spacecraft. She was from the Cherokee Nation. She was a founding member of the Society of Women Engineers.
Feel free to follow any of the links below to learn more!
I suspect that almost everyone has a story of an amazing teacher who took the time to give them the extra support they needed in their life. Perhaps they still know that teacher today. Here are a few amazing teachers from around the world!
Maggie MacDonnell teaches in an Inuit community in Salluit. Salluit is a northern community in Quebec Canada. The area she works in has a high suicide rate, so she strives to bring hope to the community. She incorporates a project based on art and therapeutic methods. One project is called Student feeding Students where a group of students create a healthy snack for all the other students. Getting the students involved in the community helps with connection and gives a sense of purpose. A fellow teacher, Ian Cambell, said,” She is really an expert at having a more open learning environment.” Another project MacDonnell is involved in is The Runners project where students have somewhat of a running club. She says, “When you run by yourself you go fast! When you run with others can go far.” She also says the students she works with are the true northern lights.
Michael Wamaya from Kibera Kenya is a ballet teacher. Micheal had to drop out of school when he was young due to financial hardship. However, he had a chance audition with a visiting Kenya Performance group that set him on a path to live in Nairobi and learn dance! He now teaches ballet to children and he’s very good at it. One community member said, “If you take your kids to Mike there is some future in that kid.” One parent has noticed how her daughter is more focused and organized since being in Mike’s class. Mike believes ballet helps the children get their voice due to the confidence acquired through ballet training. Leonard Wawire, headmaster at valley View Academy, says that Mike has helped make education available to everyone in the area! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAufiNM3Aus
Salima Begum is from Pakistan. She received an education from a two-room private school with very little resources. That did not impede her love of learning! Salima says,” Education is abroad concept that teaches a child humility, harmony, and love for others.” Before Salima girls could not complete their education due to cultural roadblocks. Salima met with the community to create a solution for a way for girls to continue their education. One problem in the community was the accumulation of garbage and debris in the streets. By working with the students and allowing them to come up with creative solutions they began creating compost and then fertilizer from the waste. The classes are activity based. One student says, “’ Ma’ams classes are always fun and interesting, never boring, time flies by” Another says,” My parents brought me into the world, but my teacher has lifted me up and made me reach for the skies”
Tracy-Ann Hall is from Spanish Town Jamaica. She teaches automotive technology at Jonathan Grande High School. Most students are from the low-income bracket. Once they leave high school most students go directly to work. Once they have taken the automotive technology course they will be prepared to work for an established automotive business or begin one of their own. Hall acknowledges that there are students with different learning styles. She incorporates music in the class as well as field trips She has lunchtime instructions where they catch up on current affairs. She tries to prepare them with skills that will get them ahead in life. Daphne Clayton, the Chair of Governors, says “Here is a woman in a man’s world but knows exactly what she was doing!”
Marie-Christine Ghanbari Jahromi majored in mathematics and sports at the University of Munster. She received the Future leader award at Africa’s Go FPEP in 2014. She operates a collaborative sports project helping students build self-esteem. She teaches students that keeping fit strengthens bodies and minds. She works with refugee children in groups with the German students helping them learn different cultures and helps the refugee children integrate more easily into German society. This also makes it easier for them to learn faster.
Boya Yang is in Cumming China with a background in teaching as well as psychology. Both parents were teachers. She uses a technique where she incorporates games so that students will find it easier to participate. She also makes sure to give time to each student individually. She feels in general that China’s education system focusses too much on exams. She hopes to work with other teachers to explore the psychological aspect of learning. She incorporates art drama and music. If the kids seem interested in something she sees that as an opportunity to incorporate learning alongside that interest. She even incorporates parents in the learning process. They too have been learning a lot! Yang says she loves having the freedom to be innovative in her job!
There are many qualities that make a great teacher and from the examples here observation an innovation as well as focusing on each students learning style and needs plays a large part in being a successful and admired teacher. One exceptional teacher I remember is a Western Civilizations teacher in community college who was also head of the drama department. His classes were like one man shows where he acted out the history lesson with a powerful stage presence. It’s hard not to learn history when it is dramatized right before you!
As High Touch High Tech proudly marks its 25th anniversary in partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, we reflect on a quarter-century of education, inspiration, and unforgettable experiences at sea. Since the inception of this groundbreaking collaboration, the intersection of science edutainment and the thrill of cruising has provided a unique and enriching journey for passengers of all ages.
High Touch High Tech’s commitment to hands-on, interactive science experiences aligns seamlessly with Royal Caribbean’s dedication to delivering unparalleled entertainment and adventure. Over the years, this partnership has evolved to become a beacon of excellence in combining education with leisure, turning each cruise into an exciting opportunity for learning, and stimulating the imagination and curiosity of Royal Caribbean’s youngest guests.
From erupting volcanoes, to chemical reactions, to staggering through the stars on the upper decks, High Touch High Tech has transformed Royal Caribbean’s youth program into a living laboratory. Families and kids have had the chance to dive into the wonders of science while cruising through some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations.
As we celebrate this remarkable 25-year milestone, we commend High Touch High Tech and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for their unwavering dedication to education and entertainment. The synergy between these two entities has not only enriched the cruise experience but has also left an indelible mark on the countless minds inspired by the wonders of science at sea.
Here’s to another 25 years of exploration, discovery, and the continued partnership between High Touch High Tech and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. May the next quarter-century bring even more innovation, education, and unforgettable moments on the high seas. Cheers to a journey that combines the best of science and adventure, setting sail towards a brighter, more informed future for all who come on board.
Trees are extremely important! We here at High Touch High Tech want to highlight trees and all the things they do! They help mitigate air pollution by absorbing carbon and other pollutants. They also provide much needed habitat for wildlife. Did you know there are Champion Trees? Champion trees are determined by factors such as height and diameter and the champion titles are awarded to many species of tree. To learn all about this you could check out the website:
The tree I am highlighting today is an Eastern Hemlock, who many of you may know is threatened by an invasive insect called the wooly adelgid. The botanical name for this tree is Tsuga canadensis. This champion is in Macon County NC and measures 175 feet high and trunk circumference at 194 inches! The crown spread is 49 feet!
Dinosaur Dan with seniors at Faye’s Place at Jewish Family Services
Did you know that High Touch High Tech provides programs for seniors? Once a month, Dinosaur Dan teaches classes at Arbor Terrace and Faye’s Place at Jewish Family Services in Asheville, NC. He says that the experience is always super rewarding and inspiring for both him and the seniors. Seniors have the same level of awe about the world as anyone else as the level of inspiration and curiosity is not lost with age. It is human instinct to learn and be curious!
Seniors exploring science at Arbor Terrace
During the latest program at Arbor Terrace, they studied genotypes and phenotypes. They drew their phenotypes, observable characteristics, and looked at genotypes. They also compared their individual fingerprints in this experiment.
Seniors exploring science at Faye’s Place at Jewish Family Services
If you are interested in Senior Science, please contact High Touch High Tech to set up a fun experience!
High Touch High Tech is all about INSPIRATION! We strive to motivate kids in the field of science! This is part two of our journey into the neuroscience and psychology of inspiration and gratitude.
This season, we’re inspired by the view from Looking Glass Rock in Western North Carolina
At High Touch High Tech, we specialize in inspiring the scientists of tomorrow. We know that, behind so many of the most world-changing scientific discoveries, you’ll find an inspired scientist! But what IS inspiration, exactly? Is it an emotion? A psychological process? An electrical signal in the brain? Turns out, it’s all of those and more. Join us for part one of our podcast on the science of inspiration at the link below! https://anchor.fm/sciencemadefun/episodes/Inspiration-and-Gratitude-part-1-e1sfhub
What’s on your plate? Oh, just a few thousand years of experimentation, observation, and ingenuity!
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Indigenous American innovation has inspired the foods we eat, Appalachian traditions, medicine and engineering just to name a few. In this latest podcast from High Touch High Tech we dive deep into discussion of the science and history behind why beans, corn and squash are such important staple foods today. We hope this inspires you to explore our history and the contributions of the Indigenous People of the Americas. The scientific advancement of these civilizations are the foundation for food culture across the world. Exploring the legend of the Three Sisters and the practices behind the legend may point the way toward a sustainable future.
On a Spring evening when the air is moist and the nights are getting warmer, I can go outside with a flashlight, shine it on the grass, and see so many earthworms pulling themselves back into the tunnels they have created in the soil. They love my yard because it is full of composting chicken and duck manure from the escapades the domestic birds had in the days before. If you listen closely, you can even hear them moving in the soil! It’s interesting to think that the composted duck and chicken manure is feeding the worms that the chickens and ducks love to eat. I have created an ecosystem that feeds itself.
credit: wikimedia commons
Earthworms are a terrestrial invertebrate found in the soil with segmented setae (bristled body parts to help the earthworm from slipping backwards) on all the segments of their body. They spend their days eating organic matter including protozoa, rotifers, bacteria, and fungi. Their digestive system runs the length of their bodies, and they respire through their skin. They are hermaphrodites, meaning they contain both sex organs. Though they can reproduce without a mate, they prefer having one. Upon which they exchange sperm and develop eggs.
Earthworm egg sac credit: wikimedia commons
There are about 3000 species of earthworms worldwide. They can be found almost everywhere there is moist soil. Most of today’s earthworms arrived from Europe, most likely from the soil in rootstocks of plants during shipment.
Earthworms appear white, grey, pink, or reddish brown. They can range in size depending on species anywhere from ½” to a whopping 10 feet! The biggest ones can be found in Australia. They are a cold-blooded creature and assume the temperature of their surroundings. They are true worms, meaning they hatch as tiny worms and grow to adulthood without instar stages like that of the beetle or fly.
Hannah G Watson, Andrew T Ashchi, Glenn S Marrs, Cecil J Saunders. Scanning electron micrograph of recently hatched Eisenia hortensis. CC BY 4.0. http://biology.wfu.edu/ credit: wikimedia commons
The lifecycle of the earthworms is as follows: they begin as an egg, emerge as a tiny baby, grow to a juvenile, and then become an adult. They can live up to 8 years. The hatchling is a tiny white and threadlike. As they grow into a juvenile, they began to develop colors of grey or reddish brown. When they become adults the band around the upper part of their body develops. This is called the clitellum, and this is the area in which reproduction organs exist. An adult worm after mating lays up to a dozen eggs at a time. The eggs are laid in the soil and are contained in a tiny egg sac that is the sloughed off part of the clitellum. After a 15-day incubation the hatchling emerges. It takes around 60 days for the earthworm to grow into an adult. Then the reproduction process begins all over again.
What are some uses for earthworms? Well, the most useful thing they do is to decompose organic matter creating frass, worm manure. The frass is an amazing fertilizer that is sold for anywhere from $1 to $5 a pound. It is a viable compost that can be applied directly to plant beds and potted plants as well. Earthworms make good fish bait. That is a whole market all its own. Also, as I said before the chickens and ducks love them! They are an excellent source of protein and minerals. They are eaten by humans in China and the Philippines. In Fujian and Guangdong province they are considered a delicacy. In Southern Venezuela the Ye Khanna people gather them from mud, gut and boil them to eat in dishes and sometimes smoked. They are also eaten by the Māori people of New Zealand. Its is reported that they have an unsurprising earthy flavor.
As we approach sustainability, other protein and mineral sources come into our view that are much less impactful upon the earth. If you have chickens and ducks, consider creating a worm farm in a plastic or wooden bin. Or if your property is set up like mine the earthworm farm is the whole yard enabling your domestic birds to feast as they desire. Overall, the earthworm is a fascinating decomposer that is accessible for study or for a snack, directly under our feet.
