Vacation Inspiration

There's nothing like vacation! You have an entire week to do what ever it is you please. Hopefully, you'll find something here that inspires you to use your time off to create something. Take this time to read something you've been meaning to, write something fun, or build something exciting! What ever you do, please, just don't spend the week in front of the television or playing video games... actually, I take that last one back- just don't overdue it.

1. Playing Violent Video Games Leads to...

We adults are always worried that you kids are becoming numb to violence, what with all your shoot-'em-up video games. I remember a great conversation I had last year with a student who had just finished reading The Hunger Games.

He said, "Listen, when you're playing Call of Duty, it's target practice. We're not thinking, 'yeah- I'm killing people,' we're playing the game. When you read Hunger Games, you hope for less violence."

We're also always worried that you kids are going up too fast. And there's a lot of truth to that. With information everywhere, you're way more sophisticated than I was at 10 years old. It's a change, no doubt. But, change isn't good and it isn't bad- it just is. For those unfamiliar with the world of video games, especially those who have already formed their opinions, this first article may help you to see what these video games are really doing to our children!

Researchers shows that playing violent video games lead to... cooperation!

2. The Power of Language

In one word these next three videos are smart. While they may seem simple, often the most complex task is to create something of quality that is simple. These showcase the images a single word can conjure up. 

3. How Far is a Second?

Alright, for some reason (who knows, maybe it has something to do with workbooks) you moan and grown about math. Well, go ahead and tell me that this isn't a fascinating way to look at measurement. Seriously.

4. And we'll wrap it up with some science. You might recognize this guy. Well, The Big Think asked the science guy what he thought cities of the future will look like. I sure hope he's right. What would your city of the future look like?

5. Okay- A few bonus videos:

First up- when Walt Thompson, filmmaker geek, decided it was time to propose to his girlfriend, this video was the result.

Real athletes do ballet! (nice choice of Radiohead for the background music).

We'll end with a new CGI animation from National Geographic showing how the Titanic sank.

See you soon!