Google’s Project Bloks wants to make kids into coders.
By making code physical, Google hopes the concept will be easier for kids to understand. Representing a bit of code, each block can be snapped together to make a sequence that can be sent over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to play music, start a toy, or any number of other things.
Bomb-Sniffing Locusts Will Save The Day
A locust with a transmitter attached to its back is being used by researchers to detect bombs. The researchers are able to hack the bug so that they can fly it to a specific location, use the locust’s superb sense of smell to seek out explosives, and have the transmitter send back a signal to humans in a far-away, safe place. Find out more here.
First-Ever Sonogram Of Shark Pups
Taken with a 12.5 foot pregnant tiger shark named “Emily,” this novel event was performed to study the shark life cycle. The shark is carrying 20 pups, and in the past, researchers would have had to cut the shark open. Find out more about the shark pups and their mama here.
A Robot Salamander That Walks Like The Real Thing
As one of the first animals to walk on land, a group of Swiss researchers decided to make a robot salamander. Pleurobot, the robotic salamander, wiggles and sways, and the researchers hope that it will further their study of the evolution of locomotion. Find out more and watch the video here.
What’s Inside A Black Box?
With so many plane disappearances and crashes in the headlines the last couple of years, there’s been a lot of talk about black boxes. But do you know what’s inside? Watch this video to see what’s inside a flight recorder black box. And, did you know they’re not black? Go figure.
New Set Of Hydrothermal Vents Discovered
NOAA’s Ocean Explorer has done it again. While passing through what was believed to be a quiet spot in the Pacific, the submersible ROV Deep Discoverer has found a series of hydrothermal vents beaming with life. Check out the video here to see the wonders and listen to the researchers excited and surprised reactions.
A Fireworks-Filled Tadpole Galaxy
The Hubble space telescope captured images of a rare, outstretched galaxy (shaped like a tadpole) called LEDA 36252 or Kiso 5639. A mass equivalent of 10,000 Suns erupt at the tadpole’s head, glowing brightly like a rocket’s red glare. The picture comes just one week after NASA announced Hubble operations will continue through 2021.
SpaceX Capsules Begin Testing To One Day Hold Humans
If one day people will be aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, NASA needs to know that they’ll be safe. The structure sits in a fixture meant to stress its structure, focusing on the pressure the vessel can withstand. Read more about it here.
Just In Time For The 4th Of July
The American Chemical Society came out with this patriotic new video explaining how fireworks and sparklers work. Take a gander here. U-S-A! U-S-A!
