The Sauniere Code.
By William Van Zyl (Nov 2021). The muffled scoop and thump of a spade and pick disturbed the dead. The unexpected sound – at 1:15 am – sent a shiver Continue Reading
Hairspray and magnets outwit Medici Bank!
By William Van Zyl (2021) A can of hairspray made a clanking sound as the small glass ball mixed the sticky liquid in the canister. Jules Bartolnoro lowered himself slowly; Continue Reading
Sensors: Maintaining the eco-equilibrium of sensitive limestone caves in New Zealand. STEM and Digital Technologies -Programming microprocessors as sensors to improve cave sustainability (Micro:bit and MakerBot – mBot).
By William Van Zyl First published in October 2021 (edited in April 2025) On Friday, 5 March 2021, I stepped into the unknown. It was dark, humid, and very black. Continue Reading
HEROES, HEROINES AND ME: Tuahangata (Heroes) & Tuawahine (Heroines). MAORI CULTURE COMPARED TO PAKEHA AND OTHER GLOBAL HEROES (LESSON & RESOURCE FOR 13-YEAR-OLD TO 15-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS).
Tauhangata & Tauwhine (Maori – New Zealand context) Download the full ebook (lesson on own identity) for free: Overview of the resource: Tuahangata (Heroes) 1. (personal noun) hero, male idol, Continue Reading
Cardboard Art, Sculpture, and Bas-Relief work: An integrated lesson on ‘identity.’
Front cover. Back cover. Available at fivehousepublishing.com By William Van Zyl ( First published in 2017, edited in 2018 & 2024) The Battle of Bloodriver The first shot from the ‘Sanna Continue Reading
Helium Balloons and Sky Lanterns: Our New Jellyfish and Alien ‘Space Killers’ of the Future?
By William Van Zyl (Published in 2020) Essay: Soft bait is a silent killer. Synthetic fishing lures have been developed to catch any type of freshwater and saltwater fish. Designers Continue Reading
River Rights: A United Approach to Improve Sustainable Practice.
By William Van Zyl (First published in 2019, edited in 2021 and 2026). Can a River Own Itself? Imagine a river at dawn, mist rising off waters that carved valleys Continue Reading
Out-Foxed.
Two one-page stories. By William Van Zyl (Published in Oct 2021; edited in April 2025). At 11:16 am, it was all over. On July 15, 2016 – at 11:17 am Continue Reading
Painting, painting on the Wall – Old, Gray and Wilde – is young Dorian, Dorian Gray, the Fairest of them all?
By William Van Zyl (Sept 2021) Listen to the podcast of the article: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-cxmsz-10f7824 The dagger is lodged deep in the chest of the rather ugly looking man. The now Continue Reading
Unparalleled find – a Badge, a Skull, and a 2000-year-old Coin.
By William Van Zyl (2021) Listen to the podcast of the article: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-r8ua7-10f7929 The wet blade made a long continuous ‘slit’ sound as he sliced through the skin and flesh. Continue Reading
The World’s shortest Poems.
By William Van Zyl (published September 2021) Listen to the podcast of this article online as a blog post: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5iaj8-10f7cbb Have you ever wondered what is the shortest poem ever Continue Reading
Cufflinks – hiding a Secret – crack missing Artwork Case wide open.
By William Van Zyl (September 2021) Listen to the podcast of the short story: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-he87e-10f8259 Two golden cufflinks – containing thumbnails of a famous self-portrait – had a secret. The Continue Reading
Taped Mummy saved by a Silver WW2 Pocket Knife; rescued from the Wall of Death.
By William Van Zyl (September 2021) On November 3, 1977 – in the middle of the night – a taped mummy hung limply from a wall. The tape that held Continue Reading
Digital Collaborative Learning: Individual Study Plans (ISP’s) for developing digital and collaborative skills for the 21 st Century – solving real-life problems and leading collaboratively to solve local and global burning issues.
By William Van Zyl (August 21, 2021) Abstract This scholarly paper will not look at the possibilities for embedding digital and collaborative skills into subject areas. On the contrary, it Continue Reading
My Poem is locked up in a sweet Mandarin; my Identity is sprinkled with spicy Cinnamon.
Listen to the article and poem: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5wky8-10fc1f0 By William Van Zyl (Aug 2021) After writing this personal poem – ‘I come from …’ you will not believe how good I Continue Reading
Whimsical, Loose, and Quirky Watercolour Sketching.
William Van Zyl (2021) The book of Felix Scheinberger – Urban Watercolour Sketching – challenges the reader with 154 pages of unique sketching ideas. To learn new art techniques and Continue Reading
Rat-a-Strophics and Cat-o-Matics
By William Van Zyl (July 2021) Listen to the podcast of this story and article: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-spxxm-10f938c *Additional to this article: Don’t miss the great lesson ideas at the end (for Continue Reading
Learn Technology through Arts and Crafts: for 12-year-old to 16-year-old students. Primary and Secondary School. Integrated Learning. Global Citizenship. Critical Thinking. Electrical Circuits. Programming. Multi-materials.
By William Van Zyl (edited in 2021) Synopsis: This resource introduces a simple lesson of cardmaking with electrical circuits. STEM & STEAM focus. The project – a greeting card – Continue Reading
A transplanted heart – unsettled by murder – makes a 180-degree turn into a blinding light.
‘Guard your heart with all your power; because the heart of man is the wellspring of life.’ By William Van Zyl – a short story (only 2450 words). *Listen to Continue Reading
Entering a dark, humid cave – lit up by cat-eyed, yellow fiery flies – could turn your thinking upside down.
By William Van Zyl (March 2021) On Friday, 5 March 2021, I stepped into the unknown. It was dark, humid, and very black. Yellow cat eyes stared at me from Continue Reading