The Techteens are a team of young people at the California Academy of Sciences who get to explore different science topics, create cool digital media, and educate the public about science and sustainability. We just opened up the application for our 2015-2016 co-hort of Techteens. We have a very narrow window to apply — we …
During the weekend of October 2-4, sites around the country are going to take part in the first nation-wide Climate Game Jam, an effort to get lots of people designing games that communicate climate science and spur the players to fight climate change. A partnership of NOAA, the White Office of Science and Technology Policy, …
Last Friday, some folks from the education and visualization sections of the California Academy of Sciences got to play with some neat virtual reality prototypes at the offices of Swissnex San Francisco. Entitled "Real Virtuality," this interactive exhibit focused on three VR simulations created by the Geneva-based foundation Artanim. As someone who has been following …
The California Academy of Sciences has a new Tumblr "Hey Academy" focused on "science at its most beautiful." There are already three stunning photos there! Check it out at http://heycalacademy.tumblr.com/ .
As the culmination of a partnership with Khan Academy, internet provider Comcast is offering free broadband internet access for six months for qualifying households in Oakland, California. In addition, those that successfully apply by September 2 will receive a free laptop. This was the result of the participation of 73,000 of Bay Area youth from …
Spreading the word about this cool television and online event happening on Monday August 31: Big Blue Live. Focused on celebrating local marine biodiversity on the California coast, viewers will learn about the birds, whales, sharks, sea lions and more animals that make their home in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. PBS is hosting …
Answer: I watch Brain Scoop videos all day, obviously. As a youth educator who runs after-school programs, I sometimes get asked by our teens what I do when I’m not teaching. Or as Ellie, one of our summer TechTeens asked me, “What do you do all day when we’re not here?” It’s a legit …
From the American Museum of Natural History's Hall of North American Animals.
Although we've known about this for awhile, this is the most public statement from the MacArthur Foundation, indicating that they are stepping back from their digital learning support. The latest essay from Julia Stasch the president of MacArthur Foundation makes clear that they are ending their support for several key parts of their portfolio, including affordable …
One of the buzzwords we use a lot in Cal Academy youth programs is “pivoting.“ To pivot is a necessary and even welcome part of the process of working with youth. “Pivoting” is a term borrowed from business, and in particular tech companies, to describe how a firm can rapidly shift strategy or even entire product …