By William Van Zyl (June 2021) Vintery, mintery, cutery, corn,Apple seed and apple thorn,Wire, briar, limber lockThree geese in a flockOne flew EastOne flew WestAnd one flew over the Bionic Flying Fox’s nest. ———————-0—————————– In the artificial nest lay two eggs – not a bird in sight. Below the nest – and interwoven in the… Continue reading One Flew over the Bionic Flying Fox’s Nest.
Category: Microprocessors and Computer programming.
Microprocessors: BBC Microbit, Arduino Uno, Raspberry Pi, eTextiles (circuits) and more. Computer programming. Sustainable practice, global citizenship, integrated learning, and Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations – SDG’s).
In the Ice Cold Belly of the Golden Dragon, it Rumbles, Spins, and Twirls. Light Atoms Spark and Flash – the almost Frozen Creature is at Work.
By William Van Zyl (April 2021) Icy cold vapour is trapped in the belly of the Golden Dragon. The temperature is below – 200 degrees –Celsius. The tummy is cool; some of the parts are thoroughly chilled. The intestines are frozen solid. The light and atoms – in the underbelly – are subjected to the… Continue reading In the Ice Cold Belly of the Golden Dragon, it Rumbles, Spins, and Twirls. Light Atoms Spark and Flash – the almost Frozen Creature is at Work.
Millions Ripped out by Surgeons: Skeletons laid scattered on the floor.
By William Van Zyl (Published in May 2021) – A Short Story. Listen to the podcast: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5rmt9-10fa7ae The frames were laying on the floor like skeletons ripped of their flesh – vicious vultures had attacked. When the next shift of security guards arrived, they only found the remains. The two night-shift guards were handcuffed to… Continue reading Millions Ripped out by Surgeons: Skeletons laid scattered on the floor.
How can a quartz crystal ‘pace’ a clock? On the other hand, how can a belief ‘pace’ a human being?
By William Van Zyl Published in 2021, April 20. Tick, tock, tick, tock, … you are reading a time-clock. Isn’t that just stunning? I mean in one second you have to count from 1 to 32,768 – it is humanly impossible. It is this vibration that has me in awe in this article. Wait for… Continue reading How can a quartz crystal ‘pace’ a clock? On the other hand, how can a belief ‘pace’ a human being?
Tardigrades and Radiotrophic Fungi – death-defiers and demon-destroyers.
By William Van Zyl Podcast of this article. Listen while you read OR just listen: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5n4bm-1010cab July 2032 “As all the countries of the world are aware, an asteroid had been detected on radar for some time now. Black rock and ice are hurtling towards earth. We have an emergency!” said the radio host in… Continue reading Tardigrades and Radiotrophic Fungi – death-defiers and demon-destroyers.
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 the walkways? What type of lighting is best? Could the electrical system of the cave be powered via solar power? To what extent could sensors,… 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).
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) Entering a dark, humid cave – lit up by cat-eyed, yellow fiery flies – could turn your thinking upside down. Listen to the podcast link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-vbeeq-feb056 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 Entering a Dark, Humid Cave – lit up by cat-eyed, yellow fiery flies – could turn your thinking upside down.
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 an elementary electrical circuit running on 3 Volts (coin battery). The sticky copper strip circuit for the card involves the 3-Volt battery, a Led (light),… 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.
A QUARTZ CRYSTAL VIBRATES AT AN AMAZING 32,768 TIMES PER SECOND – A SERIES OF FLIP-FLOPS TAKE IT TO ONLY 1 PULSE PER SECOND.
The amazing world of science: How the intervention of humans takes quartz crystal technology to the next level. The miracle of quartz crystal technology. By William Van Zyl Tick, tock, tick, tock, … you are reading a time-clock. In scientific terms 32,768 Hertz Isn’t that just stunning? I mean in one second you have to… Continue reading A QUARTZ CRYSTAL VIBRATES AT AN AMAZING 32,768 TIMES PER SECOND – A SERIES OF FLIP-FLOPS TAKE IT TO ONLY 1 PULSE PER SECOND.
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) that could light up 3. Develop artistic skills (arts and crafts). Explore cardmaking ideas 4. Learn how a coin battery, copper tape (sticky), a switch, and a… 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.
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 here. It is dead quiet. Too quiet. ‘Am I really living here? It feels so surreal; I have to pinch myself.’ It is the year 2060. Someone… Continue reading The Fox, the Badger, and the Megalodon Shark Tooth (short story).
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). Free download at Five House Publishing https://fivehousepublishing.com/ OVERVIEW: This resource and lessons include everything related to aeronautical science and space exploration. Teachers and students will… Continue reading Ten free lessons: I am an Aeronautical Engineer (Modeling in Minecraft and a STEM PROJECT – Water-propelled Rocket).
Creatica: A Believers Guide to Perfectica.
July 2019 By William Van Zyl – A long-form article (3900 words with several images). Will take about 23 to 28 minutes to read. Introduction: Overview: Looking at the possible annihilation and extinction of animals, birds, insects, fish, and other animal life species on earth in a scientific, novel, and unique way. Futuristic. The intricate… Continue reading Creatica: A Believers Guide to Perfectica.
Micro:bit BCC – The ultimate way to start learning about coding computers as a beginner.
WHAT IS THE MICRO:BIT BBC? I have ordered the micro bit as well as the inventors kit a couple of days ago (New Zealand). It is amazing! The perfect to teach computer coding to beginners – Python. As a high school teacher, the micro bit is probably the best choice for any digital or technology teacher, to introduce… Continue reading Micro:bit BCC – The ultimate way to start learning about coding computers as a beginner.