Welcome to the Sixth post of the series “The Science Shelf (and other STEM goodies from the webosphere)” where we will share information on science and technology events, resources, news and any other random goodies we discover by staring at our computers every single day.

Hope you enjoy and don’t forget to leave your comments in the section below!

• The IFLScience team is partnering with The Science Channel to gather some of the finest science videos of the web through the Science Channel’s new digital television channel, called Sci2. Through a careful search to find the best content creators on the web, the platform will offer carefully selected videos, as well as some awesome live feeds. What are you waiting to start exploring?

• Ten years after the release of the groundbreaking Planet Earth documentary, the BBC’s is releasing -next 28th of January- Planet Earth II, a sequel comprising six new episodes which look nothing less than spectacular. Make sure to check the first extended trailer and this series of breathtaking snapshots to take a glimpse at the wonders of wildlife on Earth!

• This recent article featuring John Hattie is indispensable as a new take on the relevance of knowing the impact of science lessons and of bi-directional feedback between students and teachers. All in all, with the objective of assessing whether learning is actually happening or not. With a very specific outline in mind, Hattie reflects on teachers’ impact in science lessons in order for them to “a) stop doing what isn’t working b) carry on doing what is working and c) provide students with feedback?”. It’s worth a read (or two)!

• Yeah, yeah… I know Halloween is mostly celebrated in the US, but that does not make it less fun, does it? Even if you are not a big fan of spooky parties, I’m sure you will enjoy this party tricks, including the making of dry ice fog and of visual effects such as sparks and lightning; there’s even a trick that makes stuff glow in the dark! You can’t deny these tricks are the perfect excuse to organize a Halloween party while showing off some of your physics knowledge. And if you’re not yet convinced, check out the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory staff’s creations for their annual pumpkin carving contest. Definite masterpieces!

See you in the next “The Science Shelf” post!

Article written by: Marina Jiménez Iglesias, Project Officer, European Schoolnet.

Tags: Biology, Content creators, Feedback, Halloween, Learning assessment, NASA, physics, Planet Earth