Science

2 Lego minifigs, one a girl from 'friends' one a boy from regular set.

All those people giving Lego the benefit of the doubt?

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The news has come in that the “female scientists” Lego set, produced after a huge grassroots campaign and petition from parents who wanted more variety in female minifigs, will only exist as a limited edition set. Despite selling out almost immediately, it will not be released as a standard line.

Life at 5: group shot of parents and children

Life at 9: discussion thread

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Here we are at Life at Nine already. How quickly they grow up! The ABC’s documentary series tracking the growth and development of a sample cross-section of Australian children only appears every two years. The two episodes of this edition are designated ‘Independence’ and ‘Creativity’.

Science outreach and when glorifying heroes can alienate prospects

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When science heroes have a documented history of treating some kinds of people badly, their glorification by science fans can be alienating for members of the groups those heroes treated badly.

[I]t is dangerous to rest your scientific outreach efforts on scientific heroes. […] Science outreach doesn’t just deliver messages about what science knows or about the processes by which that knowledge is built. Science outreach also delivers messages about what kind of people scientists are (and about what kinds of people can be scientists).

Solstice Whimsy: Megalithic Mini-gardening

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Happy June Solstice! Merry Yule/Litha to those who celebrate the circling of the seasons. This solstice whimsy post features an example from the hobby world of miniature gardens: behold the Teacup Stonehenge! Please share any bits and pieces you have come across recently that have surprised, delighted, intrigued or otherwise positively engaged you.