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).
Category: Sustainability.
Sustainable practice, ideas, concepts and more.
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).
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. Synthetic fishing lures have been developed to catch any type of freshwater and saltwater fish. Designers and manufacturers have spent large amounts of money, time,… Continue reading Helium Balloons and Chinese Lanterns: Our New Jellyfish and Alien ‘Space Killers’ of the Future?
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 Copyright © 2020 by William Van Zyl Lesson (Essay Writing) – Helium Balloons and Chinese Lanterns: Our New Jellyfish and Alien ‘Space Killers’ of the Future? Lesson: Essay writing – compare and… Continue reading Helium Balloons and Chinese Lanterns: Our New Jellyfish and Alien ‘Space Killers’ of the Future?
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.
River Rights: A United Approach to Improve Sustainable Practice.
Overview This article investigates three prominent cultures, namely Hinduism, Māori World view (New Zealand’s indigenous people) and Christianity. By comparing the different cultures or perspectives, the concept of giving rights to natural features like rivers are discussed. However, there are many more world views – or religions – to consider; the three mentioned are used… Continue reading River Rights: A United Approach to Improve Sustainable Practice.
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 the goals and objectives of the station. Come up with a basic plan for the research station. Choose building materials. Construct the research station by… Continue reading Newly published Minecraft Education lesson (free download): ‘Design a Basic Research Centre in Antarctica.’
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.