Mobile Education Made Fun: The Periodic Table of Videos
by Eric March on August 17, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Okay, I’m a bit of a science geek. When I was a kid I loved watching shows like Science International (a.k.a. “What Will They Think Of Next?”) with Joseph Campanella and the British kid’s science show Don’t Ask Me with that crazy but iconic mad scientist Magnus Pyke. (If you don’t know his name, some of you who don’t need to get off my lawn might remember him from Thomas Dolby’s “She Blinded Me With Science” song and video. Yes, he’s the codger proclaiming “Science!” throughout.)
Thus it was when I came across a link to a pretty cool website about the periodic table, I had to click — and it’s quite cool. Far more than just detailing what each element in the periodic table is about, the University of Nottingham embarked upon the ambitious project of putting videos to each element, both describing the elements and performing fun, almost Mythbusters-like experiments with them — like blowing stuff up. Having done so, they’ve put it all together in one handy page (www.periodicvideos.com) laid out in a standard periodic table for your enjoyment — and perhaps some chemistry education to boot. What’s more is that they update their videos periodically (heh) so you can keep coming back to check out new stuff they’ve added.
The icing on the cake however is that this site uses YouTube exclusively to present its videos, which means they’re all viewable on your iPhone or iPod Touch — right within Safari if you’re running Firmware 2.x, so you can take it on the go and watch the videos wherever and whenever you please. Each element opens in its own window, which makes navigating the site in Mobile Safari quite easy and fast, plus saves on data consumption by not having to reload the main page every time you go back. Check out the teaser video below for a taste.
(via Gizmodo)
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Posted in Entertaining, Videos
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August 17th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
I knew there was a reason I liked this site.
Pyke + Dolby = EPIC WIN! (Even if Pyke hated the exposure from that video as people would run up to him on the street and yell “SCIENCE!” at him apparently.)
August 17th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Yep. Evidently he was quite the curmudgeon during filming, too, complaining about everything and constantly asking to go home. But as far as I’m concerned, he didn’t become legend until that video.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:07 am
I grew up watching him om UK TV. The reason I originally liked the song was because of his involvement. I’ve since come to appreciate the greatness of Dolby, and have Pyke to thank really. (’Hyperactive” and “Airhead” are my two favourites.)
August 18th, 2008 at 11:40 am
We can’t forget One Of Our Submarines — definitely one of my top picks from his repertoire. Honorable mentions to Europa and the Pirate Twins (not so much for its sequel Eastern Bloc) and the SBMWS’s B-Side Flying North. Also, his soundtrack to The Gate to the Mind’s Eye was brilliant.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
This blog is clearly written by people with taste:) I recently grabbed a Dolby 12″ compilation, and “Submarines” has an awesome mix on there.
I think I may have just decided what to replace Tangerine Dream with on my iPod. I feel a sync coming on!
August 18th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I’m all about good taste. We need more writers around here with it.
(Now taking applications… :D)
Anyway, there’s a remix of Submarines?? I must find this. I have far too few Dolby remixes. In fact, “Hyperactive! (Heavy Breather Subversion)” and its B-Side “Dolby’s Cube (Get Out Of My Mix)” are the only ones I have, and those I recorded off of vinyl that believe it or not I’ve had since it was a new release. And that’s weird too, because I collect remixes, especially from my favourite artists. I’ve got some hunting to do…
August 18th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
http://www.amazon.ca/12-X-Thomas-Dolby/dp/B00000K43X/ref=pd_bbs_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1219110684&sr=8-5
There you go. It’s actually labelled as “Extended Version”. There is also a CD of remixes of “Submarines”, but I found that on a torrent site so don’t know if it’s still commercially available.