PolyThinkers Pad » Fun http://www.poly.edu/library/blog fueling polythinking with library news, tips and more Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:26:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 en Halloween fun at NYU-Poly http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/27/halloween-fun-at-nyu-poly/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/27/halloween-fun-at-nyu-poly/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:11:42 +0000 Ingrid http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/27/halloween-fun-at-nyu-poly/ It’s time for Halloween, but there is no reason to fear the library!  If you ever find yourself lost and confused simply ask a librarian.

pumpkin

 Take a break from books and check out the fun, festive, and frightful Halloween activities taking place all week at NYU-Poly:

Tuesday, October 27

Fright Night Movie: “Halloween”
8:30 - 11:00 pm
Pfizer Auditorium

Wednesday, October 28

Thriller Dance Workshop
Noon- 2:00 pm
RH 116

Thursday, October 29

Haunted Lounge
6:30 - 7:30 pm
First Floor Lounge

Dead End Cemetery
Doors Open at 7:00 pm
RH 116

Friday, October 30

Trick-Or-Treat
Noon - 4:00 pm
3rd Floor Jacobs Building

Haunted House Trip
7:30 pm & 8:00 pm
*Tickets are being given away at Dead End Cemetery Event*

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/27/halloween-fun-at-nyu-poly/feed/ Friday Fun - Imagine Science Film Festival http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/16/friday-fun-imagine-science-film-festival/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/16/friday-fun-imagine-science-film-festival/#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:00:41 +0000 Ingrid http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/16/friday-fun-imagine-science-film-festival/ Experience the wonders of science outside of the classroom for a change.  The second annual Imagine Science Film Festival brings its science-in-fiction film screenings and panel discussions to three boroughs – Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens – from now until October 24.

Imagine

Panel discussions will be held with the festival’s actors, directors, journalists and scientists. This open forum allows you to explore an array of topics from mathematics, physics and neuroscience, to evolution and climate change.  All Imagine Science Film Festival screenings are open to the public.  For  more information check www.imaginesciencefilms.com.

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/10/16/friday-fun-imagine-science-film-festival/feed/ Gadgets Galore at the Gizmodo Gallery http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/23/gadgets-galore-at-the-gizmodo-gallery/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/23/gadgets-galore-at-the-gizmodo-gallery/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:35:04 +0000 Ingrid technology http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/23/gadgets-galore-at-the-gizmodo-gallery/ If you’d like to try playing a guitar that uses lasers for strings or drawing on a giant 3-D Etch-A-Sketch, now is your chance.  The Gizmodo Gallery is a temporary interactive museum in Manhattan (267 Elizabeth Street) that pays homage to the 80 coolest gadgets from today and years past.  The Gallery, open September 23-27,  is presented by the popular tech blog Gizmodo.

etchsketch.jpg

In addition to a $3,500 pancake machine that whips out a flapjack in 14 seconds, you will find a one-of-a-kind model of the first Apple phone prototype,  man made lightning machines, and a 103-inch plasma screen TV on which you can play “The Beatles: Rock Band.”  Oh yeah, and free pancakes.

Get Gallery hours and more details at Gizmodo Gallery 2009.

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/09/23/gadgets-galore-at-the-gizmodo-gallery/feed/ The Top 30 Innovations of the Last 30 Years http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/07/15/the-top-30-innovations-of-the-last-30-years/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/07/15/the-top-30-innovations-of-the-last-30-years/#comments Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:53:42 +0000 Ingrid technology http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/07/15/the-top-30-innovations-of-the-last-30-years/ Is it possible to determine which 30 innovations have changed life most dramatically during the past 30 years? What would you suggest - computers? solar energy? eBay??

This is the question that Nightly Business Report, the Emmy Award-winning PBS business program, and Knowledge@Wharton, the online journal of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, set out to answer.  After receiving some 1,200 suggestions — including eBay, the mute button, and suitcase wheels — a panel of eight judges from Wharton reviewed and selected the top 30 of these innovations.

innovation slide show

Here’s the final list, in order of importance:

  1. Internet, broadband, WWW (browser and html)
  2. PC/laptop computers
  3. Mobile phones
  4. E-mail
  5. DNA testing and sequencing/Human genome mapping
  6. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  7. Microprocessors
  8. Fiber optics
  9. Office software (spreadsheets, word processors)
  10. Non-invasive laser/robotic surgery (laparoscopy)
  11. Open source software and services (e.g., Linux, Wikipedia)
  12. Light emitting diodes
  13. Liquid crystal display (LCD)
  14. GPS systems
  15. Online shopping/ecommerce/auctions (e.g., eBay)

(more…)

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/07/15/the-top-30-innovations-of-the-last-30-years/feed/ Enjoy the World Science Festival (at a discount!) http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/06/05/enjoy-the-world-science-festival-at-a-discount/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/06/05/enjoy-the-world-science-festival-at-a-discount/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:41:11 +0000 Ingrid http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/06/05/enjoy-the-world-science-festival-at-a-discount/ The World Science Festival debuted last year, and it was such a success that it returns to New York from June 10 to 14. New York University is proud to be a leading partner of this celebration of scientific discovery. The festival will bring together dozens of Nobel laureates, artists and performers, researchers and scientists, authors, and policy makers for a range of events in venues on the NYU campus and throughout New York City.

Through five days of discourse and debate, film and theater, exploration and discovery, the festival seeks to shift the public’s perception of science as an intimidating academic subject by highlighting its relevance to everyday life, revealing the insights it provides, and examining its critical role in meeting the challenges facing the world.

Last year’s inaugural World Science Festival drew over 120,000 attendees to four days of sold-out programming.  View the Event Schedule and get you tickets using the special NYU discount!

Sample Events

  • Cool Jobs
    Friday, June 12  4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, Kimmel Center, NYU
    This multi-media event invites curious minds of all ages to meet scientists with some of the coolest jobs out there.
  • Flash of Genius: Stories of Invention
    Saturday, June 13, 3:00 - 4:00 PM, Baruch Performing Arts Center
    Alan Alda explores the nature of creative breakthroughs with innovators Dean Kamen, holder of more than 440 U.S. patents, and Hugh Herr, Director of the MIT Biomechatronics lab.
  • World Science Festival Street Fair
    Sunday, June 14, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Washington Square Park
    The Washington Square Park area is transformed into a science wonderland

NYU Ticket Discount

  • Students: $12 for Signature Events. Students must present a valid student ID at the door. Limit 4 student tickets per ID.
  • Faculty & staff: receive a 25% off discount on tickets to Signature Events. Use promo code WSF09CUPT to get a 25% discount off the full ticket price ($25).
  • This NYU discount does not apply to Youth & Family events ($12) or to Partner events (most events $25).

More Information

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/06/05/enjoy-the-world-science-festival-at-a-discount/feed/ Friday Fun: Why math rocks http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/03/27/friday-fun-why-math-rocks/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/03/27/friday-fun-why-math-rocks/#comments Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:59:51 +0000 Ingrid http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/03/27/friday-fun-why-math-rocks/  comic

Find more comics at xkcd - a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/03/27/friday-fun-why-math-rocks/feed/ Develop your critical thinking skills - Read! http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/03/03/develop-your-critical-thinking-skills-read/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/03/03/develop-your-critical-thinking-skills-read/#comments Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:10:56 +0000 Ingrid http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/03/03/develop-your-critical-thinking-skills-read/ Does your brain feel sluggish at times? New research suggests computer use and video games could be blamed.  As technology plays a bigger role in our lives, our skills in critical thinking and analysis have declined according to research by UCLA professor, Patricia Greenfield (see: Is Technology Producing A Decline In Critical Thinking And Analysis?).

Luckily, the mere act of reading for pleasure can save our brains from turning into mush.  “Studies show that reading develops imagination, induction, reflection and critical thinking, as well as vocabulary,” Professor Greenfield said. “Reading for pleasure is the key to developing these skills.”

computer-out-window.jpgWhy not use the upcoming Spring Break as an opportunity to (re)discover the joy of reading for the fun of it?  Check out Dibner Library’s collection of fiction books or take advantage of the great selection at New York Public Library or Brooklyn Public Library.

Really, it’s OK to take a break from your computer now and then (but please don’t throw it out the window).  Have a suggestion for a great Spring Break read?  Share it in the comments.

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/03/03/develop-your-critical-thinking-skills-read/feed/ A friendly reminder about food in the library… http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/05/a-friendly-reminder-about-food-in-the-library/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/05/a-friendly-reminder-about-food-in-the-library/#comments Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:19:18 +0000 Ingrid http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/05/a-friendly-reminder-about-food-in-the-library/

 

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/02/05/a-friendly-reminder-about-food-in-the-library/feed/ A Different kind of e-book reader http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/01/12/a-different-kind-of-e-book-reader/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/01/12/a-different-kind-of-e-book-reader/#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:50:54 +0000 Gavin technology http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/01/12/a-different-kind-of-e-book-reader/ MiBook takes a different approach from other e-book readers.  In contrast to some that have tried to duplicate the look and feel of the printed page, the designers and marketers of MiBook are fully aware that it is an electronic device.mibook-1.jpg  It eschews the E ink technology found in many recent e-book readers that attempt to mimic the appearance of a black and white printed page, instead opting  for a standard LCD display that can display colors and refresh quickly, but also drains energy faster.  ”Books” pre-formatted  for the device are not the usual software files you download and transfer, but memory cards you plug in.  However, the memory slot accepts standard sd cards, so instead of purchasing one of the preformatted books on card, you can load your own card with text and multimedia files.   One big advantage MiBook has in in price. It is significantly less expensive than other e-book readers.

If you have a specialized e-book reader, or any kind of device that can read digital books, be sure to check out the Dibner Library’s guide to free books online for good sources of  reading material.

]]> http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2009/01/12/a-different-kind-of-e-book-reader/feed/ Happy Holidays from Dibner Library http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2008/12/19/happy-holidays-from-dibner-library/ http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2008/12/19/happy-holidays-from-dibner-library/#comments Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:33:29 +0000 Ingrid http://www.poly.edu/library/blog/2008/12/19/happy-holidays-from-dibner-library/ snowglobe.jpg

Congratulations on surviving another semester.  Hopefully you can kick back and relax now, but if you have some last minute gift shopping to do, here are a few unique (albeit geeky) ideas:

Looking forward to seeing you in the library next year!

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