sharing knowledge

Electromagnetic spectrum, the video of the workshop!

You can watch here the video of the workshop “Electromagnetic spectrum” created as part of the exhibition “Invisible Fields. Geographies of radio waves”.

This activity was organized in the Laboratory space of Arts Santa Monica in cooperation with la Mandarina de Newton. We hope that you enjoy it as much as the boys and girls who attended!

Nano Dimension: Look at it!

Butterfly

Zoom into a Blue Morpho Butterfly (with narration) from NISE Network on Vimeo.

Lotus

Zoom into a Lotus Leaf (with narration) from NISE Network on Vimeo.

Origami and other mathematical pranks

Several months ago we started the experimental workshops “Explorers and Inventors”, with the children of primary education at Taber school in Barcelona and it couldn’t go better!

Every school year is inspired by a different scientific branch. We’ve decided to explore maths with the students of the 3rd year.

At first they didn’t look very delighted with the topic, taking into account that they have high expectations about experimentation and science and maths didn’t seem that espectacular. Even more so if you compare mathematics with other courses years that are inspired in Chemistry, Physics or Astronomy… which seem to them much more attractive. But… let’s not underestimate maths!

We wanted to introduce the kids to a new way of getting in touch with maths, where they could learn a more complete new vision of mathematical processes, by integrating their own body experience and using creativity. That’s why we started introducing “Origami”, the japanese paper folding techniques, right from the first class. For now we have been working with several simple shapes, starting with the famous planes and boats to cranes, using different kinds of paper sheets.

Although we do alternate between different activities (for example, during the previous classes we had introduced children to the wonderful world of fractal geometry by building Sierpinsky triangles with Fimo to make collars and key rings) the idea is to use the origami method on and off during the whole school year. We will see if it helps students to work out their spatial and abstract thinking and to get a better idea of symmetry.

For us it is very interesting that they learn geometry by looking at it from other points of view, in a more personal way, and also with their own bodies. And although it now looks as if these creations wouldn’t go too far and they are sometimes seen as a matter of playing or as prank, it is worth remembering that origami was a simple art but restricted only to japanese rich people and nobles. They were the only ones allowed to work with origami. Even Miguel de Unamuno devoted a big part of his life to study origami.

I leave you with this trailer form the documentary “Between the folds”,, which we love. Now we move on to the frogs! Stay tuned! We will keep you up to date about our progresses with origami!

Children and science museums. II Symposium on Scientific Museology

The II Symposium on Scientific Museology will take place in CosmoCaixa Barcelona on the 18th and 19th of November. In this edition the focus is children. It is bounded to a very specific age range: children aged from 3 to 7 years old.

This symposium was initiated last year by the Science Museums in la Coruña (mc2), Spain. It was born from the desire to provide both professionals in the science museums and other groups and scholars who are related to this field, a regular forum of discussion and debate.

La Mandarina de Newton S.L. will offer a workshop focused on tactile or Kinesthetic learning entitled “Learning from our hands“.

Cooking science!

This year 2011 has been defined as the International Year of Chemistry. Chemistry is the science that studies the composition, structure and properties of matter and the changes that undergo during chemical reactions.

Chemistry is very present in our everyday lives, and even more among our stoves and pans!

In this workshop, we experiment with everyday materials such as lemons, cabbage, spinach, eggs, oil, vinegar and Maizena. We talk about density, viscosity, flexibility, pigments, pH and proteins. We feel surprised by changes of color, texture, and flavor. We cook without using fire. Science and fun are served in flasks and test tubes!

Remember, this is on November the 3rd at 18:30 at El Mirador in Castellar del Vallès. Do not miss it!

Viewing the electromagnetic spectrum at Arts Santa Monica

Invisible Fields: Geographies of Radio Waves is the new art-science exhibition opened in the laboratory space, directed by Josep Perelló, at Arts Santa Monica. This exhibition was curated by José Luis de Vicente from ZZZInc and Honor Harger from the Lighthouse, in the UK. Patrícia Homs is the activities co-ordinator. Many people and institutions have participated to turn Invisible Fields: Geographies of Radio Waves into a reality. Some of the participants are: Trevor Paglen, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Thomas Ashcraft, Timo Arnall, Anthony DeVincenzi, Joyce Hinterding, Semiconductor, Job Ramos, Clara Boj and Diego Díaz, Matthew Biederman, Rasa Smite & Raitis Smits (RIXC), Irdial Records, Guifi.net, Plataforma Cero LABoral, or Luthiers Drapaires. On the other hand, La Mandarina de Newton S.L. collaborates, once more, in the conception, production, development and implementation of the educational activities of this exhibition.

Viewing the electromagnetic spectrum: The new workshops at Arts Santa Monica Science

The educational workshops at Arts Santa Monica are born from the dialogue between artists and scientists and they are related to the central theme of each exhibition, in this case, electromagnetic waves, and radio waves, in particular. The workshops encourage creativity, curiosity and experimentation. Participants are invited to observe different phenomena related to the concepts that emerge from the exhibition, follow experiments, make their own creations and work on improving skills such as observation, documentation, experimentation, prototyping, reflection and communication.

Invisible Fields: Geographies of Radio Waves offers four educational workshops: Electromagnetic Spectra, Let’s make antennas! and Mini-FM that count with the collaboration of La Mandarina de Newton S.L. and a workshop organized by Guifi.net.

The workshop on the electromagnetic spectrum is the one with a broader view and it’s the one that it’s most related to the school curricula, without becoming a mere extension of the material studied in school. It reveals the presence of waves around us using batteries, magnets, keys, phones or lasers. Participants build engines, investigate on electromagnetic induction, make artistic creations with the help of magnets or create Faraday cages. The workshop that is more focus on antennas analyzes the shape and the utility of these artefacts and explores how lines and parabolas work. Participants create antennas with simple and everyday materials. Finally, during the mini-FM workshop we build a wave transmitter with the help of the Telecommunications Engineering School of Barcelona (ETSETB) of the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC).

Invisible Fields: Geographies of Radio Waves also offers many family activities during the weekends. La Mandarina de Newton S.L. collaborates in the workshop Let’s make waves! that is going to be held next November 20th. For an hour and a quarter we will explore the electric and the magnetic field and we will understand how we can use them to send and receive information. Do not miss it!

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Image credit: Xavi Soto

Explorers and Inventors at Taber school in Barcelona

Explorers and inventors are creative and experimental workshops for children from 6 to 12 years old. These workshops explore science, technology, mathematics and design (STEM) concepts, in a creative and active way. We promote individual observation, group research and thinking and open communication.

These workshops are held every lunchtime at Tàber, a public school that depends on the Ministry of Education of the Generalitat of Catalonia. Tàber has some deaf students who do their studies following the oral modality.

Explorers and inventors is an alternative to the sixth school hour that has been reduced during this new school year. We hope that what began as a not so good news ends up being an opportunity for encouraging the young students of the school and a contribution to its development of critical thinking. If you want to know more about this project, follow it in this blog. We will keep you informed!

Monthly contributions to the radio program l'Altra Ràdio

L’Altra Radio is a radio program on Radio 4 that was born during the 1979-80 season. Today, l’Altra Radio continues to broadcast on Radio 4 on Fridays at 9pm and it is repeated on Sundays at midnight. This program is directed and presented by Cinto Niqui. Ramon Fornós is the technical producer. The release of the new audiovisual technologies, the reflection of their impact on society and the history of communications are some of the constants of this program.

Many institutions and specialists contribute to the radio program l’Altra Ràdio. Ramon Sangüesa, a member of Sharing Knowledge, has been contributing for more than a year. Since last September 9th, Irene Lapuente, the founder of la Mandarina de Newton also collaborates monthly.

All the programs are available in the l’Altra Radio podcast. Here you have the Irene Lapuente’s intervention last September 9th. We will update with future contributions of the Sharing Knowledge members .

Fractals, genes and seeds from Living Systems at Arts Santa Monica

“Living Systems. Christa Sommerer & Laurent Mignonneau” is the first retrospective exhibition of this artistic couple. It was inaugurated by the science area at Arts Santa Monica, directed by Josep Perelló, on June 1st. This exhibition offers the opportunity to experiment with very participatory pieces that are related to the study of living systems: Eau de Jardin, Phototropy, LifeSpaces II, Mobile Feelings and A-Volve.

Christa Sommerer & Laurent Mignonneau are two of the most popular artists and innovators in the international media art and interactive art. Their work develops natural and intuitive interactive interfaces that apply principles of the theory of living systems related to ecology, artificial life and the sciences of complexity. On the other hand, the researcher Richard Sole has also contributed to the development of scientific vocabulary needed to understand the virtual ecosystem of these two artists.

During June, July and September Arts Santa Monica offers a range of activities and educational workshops that allow all to go further in the understanding of the behavior of living systems. La Mandarina de Newton S.L. works closely with the coordinator of the educational workshops, Patio Homs, in the conceptio, the production and the realization of some of these workshops.

Fractals, It’s not all in the genes and phototropic are some proposals to bring the science that flows between the pieces of this interesting art and science exhibition. These three workshops, and their different versions, are closely related to the pieces Eau de Jardin, Life Spaces II, A-Volve and Phototropy. The dialogue between science, art and design has been very important throughout its process of creation and realization. To see some of the results of these workshops, here you can see a video made by the Arts Santa Monica Communication team:

The Barcelona Science Festival 2011

The Barcelona Science Festival will be held in the Ciutadella Park on the weekend of June 18th and 19th. This year, activities will revolve around chemistry, forests, nanotechnology, mathematics and the applications of technology.

La Mandarina de Newton will present the workshop “What is Nano?”. This activity has been developed with the support of the Catalan Institute of Nanotechnology (ICN). “What is Nano?” shows the modern science of nanotechnology in a fresh and fun way. We will ask for the collaboration of the spectators to perform tenth experiments that will allow us to explore the color of gold at nano-scale, discover a ferrofluid and find the nano-scale in nature. In 45 minutes we will go from the most conceptual view on nanotechnology to the discovery of interesting applications such as fire retardant materials, hydrophobic materials or materials with shape memory.

In addition, la Mandarina de Newton will also present its new project “Science of the City” and its team will encourage attendees to look at the science that hides around the very same park were the Festival takes place. “Science of the City” aim is to remark that the principles of science and technology are not only in books, laboratories or research centers, but also can be found at street level: mirrors, lights, cars, trees, bicycles, trains, fountains … we encourage our visitors to capture a two-minute video of the science surrounding them in their city.

These are just some of the many proposals that you will be able to find in the Festival… Do not hesitate! Come and enjoy science in Ciutadella Park on the 18th and the 19th of June. We wait for you!

Electromagnetic spectrum, the video of the workshop!

Nano Dimension: Look at it!

Origami and other mathematical pranks

Children and science museums. II Symposium on Scientific Museology

Cooking science!

Viewing the electromagnetic spectrum at Arts Santa Monica

Viewing the electromagnetic spectrum: The new workshops at Arts Santa Monica Science

Explorers and Inventors at Taber school in Barcelona

Monthly contributions to the radio program l'Altra Ràdio

Fractals, genes and seeds from Living Systems at Arts Santa Monica

The Barcelona Science Festival 2011

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