Once upon a time, you could go into almost any local filling station and ask for a road map of the state. They were free for the taking. The maps depicted borders between counties and other states. They showed roads, of course. And you could get an estimate of the population of towns and cities by the size of the map symbols representing them.
What you couldn’t see on those maps, which are still available but are far from free anymore, were actual photographs of buildings, houses, people, and cars. They were simply line drawings, as most maps are.
These days, maps are changing. Download a program from the Internet called Google Earth to see a 3-dimensional rendering of the earth. Then zoom in on almost any place on the globe to see not only line drawings of the standard borders and labels of various places, but real photographic images, taken from space, of rivers, roads, buildings, homes, cars, even people. Granted, it’s not in real time. Most images are weeks to a couple of years old. But, still, they are real images.
Now for something completely different: Go online to Google Maps, type in your street address, and then click on the Street View icon. If you live in Indianapolis, Greenwood, Franklin, Columbus, or anywhere along U.S. 31 that connects these cities, you can see a close-up view of your house, your car, and even yourself if you happened to be outside when Google’s picture-taking vehicle passed by one day last summer or fall.
Then, you can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to take a virtual drive through your neighborhood. Again, it’s not live, but it’s the next best thing.
Maps have certainly come a long way from how they looked just 10 years ago. On Street View, you can turn your view 360 degrees to see in all directions. You can even point it up to see the sky or down to see the road.
Not only is it cool technology, it can also be very useful. Imagine you’re looking to buy a home. You can drive through the neighborhood in virtual reality before you decide to drive through it for real. If you don’t like what you see, you can save some gas.
Or what if you’re planning a trip to a city you’ve never been to before. You can spend some time in front of your computer screen driving through every street, looking at the landmarks, finding the restaurants or hotels, and getting to know the place before you depart.
Of course, it’s also fun just to browse through places you are familiar with just to see if you can get a glimpse of your friends or neighbors out mowing their lawns or maybe even sunbathing.
Of course, there are always the stick-in-the-mud disparagers who don’t like the new technology. Some claim it is an invasion of privacy. Others say it will become a tool for pedophiles.
Pedophiles can drive through the streets live looking for houses with kids. There is little added incentive to do it on the Internet, since the images are at least several months old. The kids may not even live at the same location anymore. And if people don’t want to be photographed while sunbathing, then don’t sunbathe in view of the public. If people don’t mind others seeing them on the street live, what difference does it make if their photo is snapped while they’re in public view?
It’s a fun, useful, and legal technology. Enjoy it. Go find yourself, and quit worrying about privacy issues. You have no expectation of privacy anyway when you’re in public, so get over it.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Gadgets and Gizmos Abound at HASTI Convention
As a science teacher, one of the things I look forward to each year is the annual convention of the Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc. (HASTI). It takes place at the Indiana Convention Center.
Back during my first round of teaching through the 1980s, I not only attended each year, but one year I was a presenter. During the preceding summer, I had traveled much of the state taking photos and videos of the geology of our state. Yes, there is much more to Indiana than cornfields. So I presented a video program to the group covering all the different aspects and features of Indiana’s varied geology. It was well received.
But over the past four years or so, since I got back into teaching, I’ve just been a spectator. Like most conventions, there are lots of vendors displaying their wares. Some of the science equipment so cool I wish I had it in my classroom. But with school budgets being what they are, I’ll have to be content to just look.
In addition to the main exhibits, there are always plenty of break-out sessions where science teachers, textbook publishers, or science supply houses can present hour-long programs that are specific to certain grade levels and subject areas. I especially enjoy the hands-on programs that use candy or other food items to demonstrate scientific principles.
Keynote speakers are always a part of the convention. Most are nationally known for one reason or another. Last year, for example, an author of a popular science textbook who was also one of the expert witnesses for the plaintiffs at the Dover, Pennsylvania court case pitting evolution against Intelligent Design was the keynote speaker. His topic was why it is important for science teachers not to shy away from teaching evolution at all grade levels. He was preaching to the choir with me there.
I also enjoy hobnobbing with others of my discipline from schools across the state. It is fun to see what familiar faces show up each year from schools I’ve taught at in the past.
One of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had at the convention was the year I went with a group on a field trip to the National Weather Service. Weather has always been an interest of mine. It was fascinating to see the real meteorologists and their high-tech equipment in action.
As a fan of the CSI television series, I enjoyed last year’s field trip to the Indianapolis Crime Lab. Some of the things they do are similar to the TV show, but there are far more differences than similarities.
In past years, I’ve enjoyed previews of what have become staples of learning in Indianapolis, including the planetarium at the children’s museum and the Indianapolis Zoo. We got to see it before it opened to the public.
We all rely on science every day, whether we realize it or not. Many of the things we take for granted, such as cell phones, television sets, computers, our cars, and the weather forecasts we rely on are all based on what was once pure research and scientific theory. Most people don’t care about how it works or whet it came from; they just want to know it will work when needed.
And that’s fine. The purpose of technology is to make scientific theories workable and transparent. It’s too bad, though, that science has always had to fight an uphill battle against those who enjoy and use the benefits but would rather quash the process.
I’m referring, of course, to the vocal minority who are opposed to embryonic stem cell research, cloning experiments, and the teaching of scientific theories such as evolution in school.
Back during my first round of teaching through the 1980s, I not only attended each year, but one year I was a presenter. During the preceding summer, I had traveled much of the state taking photos and videos of the geology of our state. Yes, there is much more to Indiana than cornfields. So I presented a video program to the group covering all the different aspects and features of Indiana’s varied geology. It was well received.
But over the past four years or so, since I got back into teaching, I’ve just been a spectator. Like most conventions, there are lots of vendors displaying their wares. Some of the science equipment so cool I wish I had it in my classroom. But with school budgets being what they are, I’ll have to be content to just look.
In addition to the main exhibits, there are always plenty of break-out sessions where science teachers, textbook publishers, or science supply houses can present hour-long programs that are specific to certain grade levels and subject areas. I especially enjoy the hands-on programs that use candy or other food items to demonstrate scientific principles.
Keynote speakers are always a part of the convention. Most are nationally known for one reason or another. Last year, for example, an author of a popular science textbook who was also one of the expert witnesses for the plaintiffs at the Dover, Pennsylvania court case pitting evolution against Intelligent Design was the keynote speaker. His topic was why it is important for science teachers not to shy away from teaching evolution at all grade levels. He was preaching to the choir with me there.
I also enjoy hobnobbing with others of my discipline from schools across the state. It is fun to see what familiar faces show up each year from schools I’ve taught at in the past.
One of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had at the convention was the year I went with a group on a field trip to the National Weather Service. Weather has always been an interest of mine. It was fascinating to see the real meteorologists and their high-tech equipment in action.
As a fan of the CSI television series, I enjoyed last year’s field trip to the Indianapolis Crime Lab. Some of the things they do are similar to the TV show, but there are far more differences than similarities.
In past years, I’ve enjoyed previews of what have become staples of learning in Indianapolis, including the planetarium at the children’s museum and the Indianapolis Zoo. We got to see it before it opened to the public.
We all rely on science every day, whether we realize it or not. Many of the things we take for granted, such as cell phones, television sets, computers, our cars, and the weather forecasts we rely on are all based on what was once pure research and scientific theory. Most people don’t care about how it works or whet it came from; they just want to know it will work when needed.
And that’s fine. The purpose of technology is to make scientific theories workable and transparent. It’s too bad, though, that science has always had to fight an uphill battle against those who enjoy and use the benefits but would rather quash the process.
I’m referring, of course, to the vocal minority who are opposed to embryonic stem cell research, cloning experiments, and the teaching of scientific theories such as evolution in school.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Is is Spring Yet? Ask the Groundhog
Groundhog Day is in two days.
That means by this weekend, we’ll know for absolute certain whether we will be blessed with an early spring or have six more weeks of winter. Well, at least that’s according to tradition.
If the groundhog emerges from his burrow on February 2 and sees his shadow, he goes back into his burrow for six more weeks of cold, snowy weather. On the other hand, if it’s cloudy and he doesn’t see his shadow, he stays out and prepares for an early spring.
Since 1887, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania has claimed the only official national groundhog. They call him Punxsutawney Phil whom they also claim has been 100 percent accurate over the past 120 years.
I’ve always been curious as to how a single groundhog in Pennsylvania could predict the weather for the entire nation. After all, it isn’t typical that folks in Indiana share the same weather with those in Pennsylvania. And states like Oregon or Arizona would have a far different forecast. But I’m not going to quibble with alleged success.
Most of the time, Phil predicts a return to winter. But in more recent years an early spring has been a common prediction. If we are experiencing global warming, as most climatologists claim, I believe it is at least partially Phil’s fault.
His keepers, however, claim Phil has nothing to do with climate change. He only predicts the weather; he doesn’t manipulate it. But until the actual causality is proved, I’m skeptical of that claim.
At any rate, I don’t accept the myth that Phil is the only accurate weather predictor. Indiana has its share of groundhogs, too. I believe that the forecast would be more accurate if we took a poll of at least 100 Hoosier groundhogs and averaged their prognostications. We should never rely on the forecasting accuracy of a single specimen.
But that’s just my opinion. I’m no groundhog expert.
I do know, however, that groundhogs must be regarded in high esteem, because they are the only animal to rate a holiday in the United States. Even though it is not an official, no-work holiday, it still is a red-letter day on most calendars. What other animal can claim that?
So whether Phil, or any other groundhog, is perfect when it comes to climate prediction, the furry creatures are quite popular, not to mention lovable. They even made a movie about a groundhog and his special day.
The movie is called, obviously enough, Groundhog Day. It stars Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. It is rated in the top 250 movies of all time on the Internet Movie Database, which reflects well on the popularity of the groundhog, not to mention the two starring actors.
Most people, however, don’t really celebrate Groundhog Day. No presents are exchanged and no decorations are hung on the eaves of houses. No trees are trimmed with groundhog ornaments. I believe all that should change.
My daughter and I do our parts. Every Groundhog Day we make it a point to schedule time in the evening to watch the movie. It is one of our favorites, but we only watch it on February 2. It’s a family tradition.
That means by this weekend, we’ll know for absolute certain whether we will be blessed with an early spring or have six more weeks of winter. Well, at least that’s according to tradition.
If the groundhog emerges from his burrow on February 2 and sees his shadow, he goes back into his burrow for six more weeks of cold, snowy weather. On the other hand, if it’s cloudy and he doesn’t see his shadow, he stays out and prepares for an early spring.
Since 1887, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania has claimed the only official national groundhog. They call him Punxsutawney Phil whom they also claim has been 100 percent accurate over the past 120 years.
I’ve always been curious as to how a single groundhog in Pennsylvania could predict the weather for the entire nation. After all, it isn’t typical that folks in Indiana share the same weather with those in Pennsylvania. And states like Oregon or Arizona would have a far different forecast. But I’m not going to quibble with alleged success.
Most of the time, Phil predicts a return to winter. But in more recent years an early spring has been a common prediction. If we are experiencing global warming, as most climatologists claim, I believe it is at least partially Phil’s fault.
His keepers, however, claim Phil has nothing to do with climate change. He only predicts the weather; he doesn’t manipulate it. But until the actual causality is proved, I’m skeptical of that claim.
At any rate, I don’t accept the myth that Phil is the only accurate weather predictor. Indiana has its share of groundhogs, too. I believe that the forecast would be more accurate if we took a poll of at least 100 Hoosier groundhogs and averaged their prognostications. We should never rely on the forecasting accuracy of a single specimen.
But that’s just my opinion. I’m no groundhog expert.
I do know, however, that groundhogs must be regarded in high esteem, because they are the only animal to rate a holiday in the United States. Even though it is not an official, no-work holiday, it still is a red-letter day on most calendars. What other animal can claim that?
So whether Phil, or any other groundhog, is perfect when it comes to climate prediction, the furry creatures are quite popular, not to mention lovable. They even made a movie about a groundhog and his special day.
The movie is called, obviously enough, Groundhog Day. It stars Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. It is rated in the top 250 movies of all time on the Internet Movie Database, which reflects well on the popularity of the groundhog, not to mention the two starring actors.
Most people, however, don’t really celebrate Groundhog Day. No presents are exchanged and no decorations are hung on the eaves of houses. No trees are trimmed with groundhog ornaments. I believe all that should change.
My daughter and I do our parts. Every Groundhog Day we make it a point to schedule time in the evening to watch the movie. It is one of our favorites, but we only watch it on February 2. It’s a family tradition.
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