The festive season is a time for the giving and receiving of gifts. But, in an age when we are constantly reminded of our society's impact on the environment, it is reassuring to know that they can be a force for good through the stimulation of curiosity — an open door to discovery of new interests, passions and knowledge. Captivating the next generation with science is an intentional act of good will, and one way to do this is to combine the joys of the holiday season with a potential for scientific learning.
Gifts are exciting for scientists of all ages, and for the little ones (or yourself), let them be the beginning of a road to expanding scientific understandings. Plant the seeds of a new generation that might have a better understanding of the economic implications and inevitable consequences of ignoring the laws of thermodynamics when we consume without consideration.
Number 12. This good-looking low temperature Stirling engine is a great gift. It operates by cyclic compression and expansion of gas, converting heat energy to mechanical work. Sit it over a hot steaming cup of tea and watch the wheel spin. It has no purpose. Having said that it doesn't need one. It is absolutely delightful, a thing of beauty!
Number 11. Can you infect the world? Plague Inc. is a unique mix of high strategy and terrifyingly realistic simulation. Your pathogen has just infected 'Patient Zero'. Now you must bring about the end of human history by evolving a deadly, global Plague while adapting against everything humanity can do to defend itself. Brilliantly executed and highly addictive with innovative gameplay, Plague Inc. pushes mobile gaming to new levels.
Number 10. The Vortecon kinetic desk ornament is designed to spin on any flat surface. The solid body and smooth finish make it very pleasant to interact with. It spins silently so you won't be bothering anyone around. Spin Vortecon and it will turn into a dynamic sculpture that changes its patterns along with direction and speed of rotation. A high quality stainless steel bearing guarantees a long lasting, smooth and silent spin.
Number 9. Gravitrax is a ball track system reminiscent of the old marble machines we used to make. Use your imagination to build a complex network of track. The basic track system can be extended with extra track packs and add-on's. We particularly like the Gaussian Gun and the Catapult extension kit options. It could be the start of something big.
Number 8. For all physics and science fans out there this exotic gadget nicely demonstrates Charles's Law and energy transfer. Provided with easy to follow instructions and providing fascinating results t is a fabulous science discovery gift. Great for budding scientists.
Number 7. While dinosaurs patrolled the lands, massive prehistoric sharks, giant scorpions and colossal squid cruised the ancient oceans – most with just one thing in mind: eat or be eaten. Full of captivating facts and more than thirty-five breathtaking pop-ups, this incredible companion volume to the bestselling Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Dinosaurs explores the prehistoric underwater world, where monsters ruled the waves for millions of years.
Number 6. This fact-filled, image-rich app is the only periodic table you need. Ideal if you’re a student, teacher or just have an interest in the chemical sciences. Packed with absorbing facts in a customisable app, based on the well-respected Royal Society of Chemistry Periodic Table website it is the application that keeps on giving. And its free…
Number 5: Who needs huge (and expensive) microscopes when this little gizmo will do the job?
Connecting this device to your PC and it's just a case of pointing the microscope at the item you want to study, turning the focus wheel until it's clear and then either taking a photo or video of it (using the software provided). It's straightforward to use, small enough to keep in a desk drawer when not in use.
Number 4. Also known as the light mill or solar engine, the solar radiometer demonstrates with simple physics and movement how light can be transformed into energy. Its invention in 1873 is credited to Sir William Crookes, an English physicist. The black and polished vanes are suspended in the semi-vacuum created inside the radiometer. The vanes spin when exposed to a warm light source.
Number 3. Take a look inside the human body with the Virtuali-Tee from Curiscope! The Virtuali-Tee is an augmented reality enabled t-shirt that brings anatomy to life when scanned with the free accompanying app. By interacting with 'hotspots' on the t-shirt you can look inside your own body to see how it functions. Dive into the bloodstream, the lungs and the intestines in 360/VR mode whilet anatomy expert, Hans Glover, guides you through the vital organs in the body with interesting facts and fascinating images.
Number 2. Turn your smartphone into a 3D hologram projector with this Smartphone Hologram Projector. Based on the theory of ÒPeppers GhostÓ, you can now turn your smartphone into a hologram projector by casting an image, animation or video clip onto the clear underside surface of the hologram visualiser that captures the impression. Find hundreds of these videos for free on YouTube.
Number 1:
The Emotional Life of Your Brain Why we behave the way we do has been the life study of pioneering neuroscientist Richard Davidson. Helping us to understand our own emotional responses and discover our unique 'emotional style', Davidson & Begley also show how we can retrain our brains through mindfulness and meditation to alter lifelong patterns of destructive or unhelpful behaviour. Practical and illuminating, this book expands our view of what it means to be human.
And finally...
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