April 2, 2007

Fossil Findings

Fossil findings, news and controversy

Interested in the latest and greatest from the world of palaeontology?  

Fossilised Janjucetus skull
Source: Museum Victoria Photographer: Rodney Start
Join museum experts on a tour of Melbourne Museum’s Evolution Gallery, followed by a series of ‘vignettes‘ on what’s new, controversial and exciting, presented by leading international palaeontologists. Speakers will include top palaeontologists from around the world-Prof Jenny Clack, UK (early amphibians), Prof Zhu Min, China (spectacular feathered dinosaurs); Dr Ewan Fordyce, NZ (whale origins); Dr Stephen Godfrey, USA, (on evolution and creationism); Dr Steve Salisbury, Australia (new Australian dinosaurs).
To wrap up the evening, you are invited View More Fossil Findings

March 15, 2007

March 07 Archive, Catalyst and the National Convention

ABC Catalyst – NEWS
“PSYCHIC INVESTIGATORS” Fortunately this excrable summer program has been replaced by the regular “CATALYST” . See all the fall-out at http://www.mysteryinvestigators.com/psychicinvestigators.htm
Have your eight cents worth! http://www.abc.net.au/contact/
And now back to the topic of the 2007 National Skeptics Convention

CONVENTION

The 2006 Convention went fabulously and everyone enjoyed themselves immensely.
For those who did a great deal of meeting and greeting at the convention, what are these images about? (See the end of this post for the answers.)


  • Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has been voted the 2006 Skeptic of the Year, for his tireless efforts promoting scientific (sceptical) thinking, and presenting it in an exciting (excitable?) manner.
  • The infamous Bent Spoon Award (BS Award!) has been given to “the pharmacies of Australia that maintain a professional image whilst selling ineffective altmed products and services such as homeopathy, iridology, healing magnets“
  • the Skeptics Prize for Critical Thinking was awarded to Martin Bridgstock of Griffith Uni, for his innovative programme teaching skepticism to his students
  • Kylie Sturgess, an English teacher from MLC in Perth won the Runner-Up Prize. (She and her students were mentioned in the last issue of the Skeptic.)
  • PRESS RELEASE

Saturday 18th November 2006
BENT SPOON AWARD
The Australian Skeptics Bent Spoon Award for 2006 goes to the many Australian pharmacies who promote and sell “therapeutic” goods such as homeopathic medicines and magnetic healing devices which have no demonstrable value.
View More March 07 Archive, Catalyst and the National Convention

March 15, 2007

Peter Pentland


Peter Pentland
Getting the message across
Peter Pentland is the Programs Coordinator of Physical Sciences for Museum Victoria and is based at Scienceworks museum.
Peter trained as a Mathematics and Physics teacher and taught in Victorian schools for about 20 years. He has worked at Museum Victoria for the past 10 years. His position at Museum Victoria involves interpreting exhibitions for education and general public audiences. This has involved consulting with relevant scientists, writing text panels, preparing education kits for schools, writing and presenting shows for education and general public audiences. It also involves delivery of professional development for teachers.
Peter has also been involved with teams that have published Physics textbooks and series of science library books for primary aged children. Three of these projects have won awards in the Australian Awards for Educational Publishing.
The main themes of Peter’s talk will be how to effectively communicate with audiences and how we can raise the level of scientific literacy in the community.

February 21, 2007

Astrology.com Says

According to Astrology.com :

If You Picked KEY Number YOUR STAR SIGN SHOULD BE
1 Pisces with a birthday from Feb 20 to Mar 20 inclusive
2 Sagittarius with a birthday from Nov 23 to Dec 22 inclusive
3 Gemini with a birthday from May 21 to Jun 21 inclusive
4 Aquarius with a birthday from Jan 21 to Feb 19 inclusive
5 Virgo with a birthday from Aug 24 to Sep 23 inclusive
6 Taurus with a birthday from Apr 21 to May 20 inclusive
7 Cancer with a birthday from Jun 22 to Jul 23 inclusive
8 Aries with a birthday from Mar 21 to Apr 20 inclusive
9 Capricorn with a birthday from Dec 23 to Jan 20 inclusive
10 Leo with a birthday from Jul 24 to Aug 23 inclusive
11 Scorpio with a birthday from Oct 24 to Nov 22 inclusive
12 Libra with a birthday from Sep 24 to Oct 23 inclusive
February 21, 2007

Class results tally sheet

Date(s):

Venue:

# people in the class who picked the “right” sign # people in the class who picked the “wrong sign
. .
. .
. .
. .
total “right” ____ total “wrong” ___
Fraction of total “right” (as a decimal) ___ Fraction of total “wrong” ___

QUESTIONS

1 What fraction of people would you expect to ‘correctly‘ guess their designated star sign if the results are purely random?

2 If the link between character traits and date of birth given by Astrology.com has any validity, what effect would this have on the fraction of “correct” guesses?

3 Can you evaluate our actual group results?

February 21, 2007

Classroom Astrology Exercises

Horoscopes ? Class Exercise 1
You are provided with a model “all purpose” horoscope, aimed at the average year 8 child ? say 12 to 14 years old.
SUGGESTED USE:
1. Cut and paste this horoscope onto twelve separate pages.
2. Change the font, font colour and font size to your taste.
3. Modify the heading slightly so that you have a horoscope for each star sign.
4. Alter the font on each page View More Classroom Astrology Exercises

February 21, 2007

Character Traits According to Astrology

These character descriptions were taken from the popular on-line astrology site Astrology.com. Choose the one single KEY number with the PAIR of traits that you think best describes you. (It is OK to ask others for their impressions of you in making your choice).

KEY number POSITIVE TRAITS NEGATIVE TRAITS
1 Imaginative and sensitive, Compassionate and kind, Selfless and unworldly, Intuitive and sympathetic Escapist and idealistic, Secretive and vague, Weak-willed and easily led
2 Optimistic and freedom-loving, Jovial and good-humored, Honest and straightforward, Intellectual and philosophical Blindly optimistic and careless, Irresponsible and superficial, Tactless and restless
3 Adaptable and versatile, Communicative and witty, Intellectual and eloquent, Youthful and lively Nervous and tense, Superficial and inconsistent, Cunning and inquisitive
4 Friendly and humanitarian, Honest and loyal, Original and inventive, Independent and intellectual Intractable and contrary, Perverse and unpredictable, Unemotional and detached
5 Modest and shy, Meticulous and reliable, Practical and diligent, Intelligent and analytical Fussy and a worrier, Overcritical and harsh, Perfectionist and conservative
6 Patient and reliable, Warmhearted and loving, Persistent and determined, Placid and security loving Jealous and possessive, Resentful and inflexible, Self-indulgent and greedy
7 Emotional and loving, Intuitive and imaginative, Shrewd and cautious, Protective and sympathetic Changeable and moody, Overemotional and touchy, Clinging and unable to let go
8 Adventurous and energetic, Pioneering and courageous, Enthusiastic and confident, Dynamic and quick-witted Selfish and quick-tempered, Impulsive and impatient, Foolhardy and daredevil
9 Practical and prudent, Ambitious and disciplined, Patient and careful, Humorous and reserved Pessimistic and fatalistic, Miserly and grudging
10 Generous and warmhearted, Creative and enthusiastic, Broad-minded and expansive, Faithful and loving Pompous and patronizing, Bossy and interfering, Dogmatic and intolerant
11 Determined and forceful, Emotional and intuitive, Powerful and passionate, Exciting and magnetic Jealous and resentful, Compulsive and obsessive, Secretive and obstinate
12 Diplomatic and urbane, Romantic and charming, Easygoing and sociable, Idealistic and peaceable Indecisive and changeable, Gullible and easily influenced, Flirtatious and self-indulgent
January 13, 2007

Calendar 2007

2007

(!!OTHERS!! = events organised by or with other groups)

15 January Skeptics Cafe Video Night
!!OTHERS!!12 February DARWIN DAY BARBECUE
19 February Skeptics Cafe Speaker: Tim van Gelder
19 March Skeptics Cafe Speaker: Roman Kozlovski
!!OTHERS!!11 April Fossil Findings Melbourne Museum Presentation
16 April Skeptics Cafe Speaker: Peter Pentland of SCIENCEWORKS
21 May Skeptics Cafe ”Third Annual Skeptics Trivia Extravaganza”
18 June Skeptics Cafe speaker: Richard Saunders Fakes, Frauds and Fools
16 July Skeptics Cafe speaker: Carlo Kopp The E- Bomb
!!OTHERS!!2 August ”’ Intelligent Design Debate ”’
18/19 and 25/26 August Australian Skeptics at Scienceworks for Science Week
20 August Skeptics Cafe Panel Discussion: Depression: How Effectively is it Managed?
17 September Skeptics Cafe Jill Quirk: Population policy
15 October Skeptics Cafe Catherine Deveney – My Conversion to Atheism
19 November Skeptics Cafe Screening: Guru Busters
17 December Skeptics Cafe Social Evening
!!OTHERS!! Various dates Atheists meet-up Group Calendar http://atheists.meetup.com/485/calendar/
!!OTHERS!! Various dates Royal Society of Victoria Calendar


There are other Victorian organisations of interest that regularly have Public Events. Previous events: Calendar 2006, Calendar 2005, Calendar 2004 Extra keywords: sceptics