Placenta and the Māori Worldview.
By William Van Zyl (Published 21 Aug 2023). I provide a short overview and exploration of Māori and other cultures’ placenta practices worldwide. This short article/book provides a rich canvas Continue Reading
Bjarke Ingels’ Moonbase design is compared and contrasted with Modernism in Architecture (Reference to Le Corbusier and his famous house design – Villa Savoye).
By William Van Zyl Published on 9 August 2023. Bjarke Ingels’ Moonbase design is compared and contrasted with Modernism in Architecture (Reference to Le Corbusier and his famous house design Continue Reading
Modernism in Architecture – Iconic Buildings.
By William Van Zyl Published on 5 August 2023 Overview- of the article: The 3 iconic architects and their iconic buildings – Le Corbusier (Villa Savoye), Phillip Johnson (The Glass Continue Reading
LED LIGHTS AND CIRCUITRY(ELECTRICITY, DIAGRAMS, AND PROGRAMMING): A LED AND COPPER TAPE GREETING CARD PROJECT
By William Van Zyl First published on October 16, 2017 Second publishing 2021. Edited in 2023. Synopsis This resource introduces a simple lesson of cardmaking with electrical circuits. STEM & STEAM focus. The Continue Reading
Buckminster Fuller – Geodesic Shape and Form for architectural design. Designing a Vertical Urban Skyfarm (hydroponics, aeroponics & aquaponics) in Minecraft.
By William Van Zyl (Published on 5 January 2023). I have probably designed hundreds of concept buildings. Considering the work of inspirational and influential architects of the past – and Continue Reading
LESSON: Use the work of an influential designer to inform design ideas. Design a Moon-base on Minecraft Education – focus on Aesthetics and Function.
By William Van Zyl (Published in April 2022). Design Brief: Design a Moon-dwelling or a Moon-base (in your groups or individually) on Minecraft Education. Use the work of an architect Continue Reading
Minecraft Lesson: Create a Minecraft Character to contain a USB Drive. Making freehand sketches with dimensions. Use SketchUp (3D Warehouse) & TinkerCad (3D printing) to prepare the file for 3D printing.
By William Van Zyl – Published 2018 Learning intention: To learn how to make 3-D sketches in third angle orthographic projection. To learn how to use SketchUp (software) to design 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
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
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
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
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
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 Thinking of the sustainability of a cave is not something that comes to mind naturally. It requires prompts: What choice of materials is best for constructing 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 Synopsis: This resource introduces a simple lesson of cardmaking with electrical circuits. STEM & STEAM focus. The project – a greeting card – includes cardboard, and 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.
Learn Technology through Arts and Crafts. STEM Project-Based Learning. Lesson objectives: 1. Research and investigate simple electrical circuits 2. Design a simple greeting card containing a Led light (or more) Continue Reading
The Fox, the Badger, and the Megalodon Shark Tooth (short story).
Excerpt: I can see the flaming Sun—it is spewing red and yellow—I am so close to it. If I reach out, I can almost touch it. It is very different Continue Reading
Ten free lessons: I am an Aeronautical Engineer (Modeling in Minecraft and a STEM PROJECT – Water-propelled Rocket).
Lesson and resources for teachers and students: Aeronautical engineering. Modelling in Minecraft. Planning, designing, and making a water-propelled rocket (STEM-based). Complete lessons and resources for teachers and students (Secondary School). Continue Reading
Helium Balloons and Chinese Lanterns: Our New Jellyfish and Alien ‘Space Killers’ of the Future?
Lesson: Essay writing – compare and contrast (Secondary School level). Exploring sustainable practice and our oceans. A 1000-word essay. By William Van Zyl (2020) Soft bait is a silent killer. Continue Reading
Newly published Minecraft Education lesson (free download): ‘Design a Basic Research Centre in Antarctica.’
Activities and tasks: Do research on the research station aspects in Antarctica. See the learning intentions for details. Collaborate in teams on the design and layout of the station. Consider Continue Reading
Micro:bit BCC – The ultimate way to start learning about coding computers as a beginner.
By William Van Zyl Published February 15, 2018 WHAT IS THE MICRO:BIT BBC? I ordered the Micro Bit and the inventor’s kit a few days ago (New Zealand). It is amazing! It Continue Reading