Why exploration matters—and why the government should pay for it
Source: McKinsey & Company
Neil deGrasse Tyson makes the case for doubling the small budget allotted to NASA.
Technology
Motherboard Knows Best: Should a Computer Make Life-or-Death Decisions?
Source: Scientific American
It turns out that a computer running a mathematical formula can more accurately predict patients’ wishes than family members can. But should a computer be allowed to override a human in a life-or-death situation?
The Path to Mars: Deep Space Mission
Source: Boeing
When this video was produced it was thought that the person who will become the very first person to set foot on Mars is probably sitting in a classroom right now. The SLS spacecraft is due to make an unmanned flight in November 2018 but more recently NASA are investigating the risks and feasibility of sending a crew at this time instead of holding off for 2030.
Navigating Without the Crutch of Technology
Source: Wired
You are lost! How do you find your way? Reach for your cellphone and turn on GPS! John Huth, author of The Lost Art of Finding Our Way thinks we should allow ourselves to get lost once in a while to create a better connection with our environment. Click on the link within this article to watch a video clip of John Huth’s view on navigation without maps.
Kill All the Mosquitoes?!
Source: Smithsonian
Scientists across the globe are researching how to prevent the spread of disease by altering the genes of mosquitoes, but ethical questions continue to arise.
The Exhausting Work of Tallying America’s Largest Protest
Source: The Atlantic
Two university professors share their method of counting the number of people who attended the Women’s March on January 21 and suggest what that number might signify for the movement’s future success. You can find a link to their Google spreadsheet in the fourth paragraph.
Nine incredible buildings inspired by nature
Source: BBC
Advancing digital technology has allowed architects to create unique buildings inspired by nature.
High-tech approach to taming New Mexico’s wild horses
Source: Scientific American
While taming wild horses is every bit a tricky as it was when Sabine Ulibarri wrote “My Wonder Horse,” at least one thing has changed—now technology can lend a hand.
Fake-Nature
Source: Next Nature Network
Technology imitates nature in creative ways designed to benefit and inspire humans. Learn about several innovative fake-nature projects.
Fighting for Visibility
Source: Astronomy
Hidden Figures, first a book and now a movie, brings to light the significant role of some of the female African-American mathematicians at NASA during the 1960s, and the challenges faced by the women at that time.