Girls storm the science scene

I've just been alerted to this article, which shows how well American school girls did at the first Google science fair. It just goes to show how the tables are turning, and women are making significant in-roads into the previously male-dominated sciences. It also adds support to my research that suggests that women are being introduced to science at a much earlier age than they used to be, and science 'sticks' with them throughout their school and university careers. Love it! Also, check out their Lego trophies!

Facebook for educational purposes

I have been interested for a while in using social networking as a way of enhancing the learning experience for my students, so after a bit of trial and error, I have set up 4 new pages on Facebook, for each of the modules I run and the Centre I head up. I hope that the students enrolled on each module will be able to access the pages, 'like' them and use them for asking questions of each other and the lecturers, discussing topics raised by the modules, and for posting useful links and information to each other.
Any ideas for 'jazzing' them up gratefully received! See what you think:
Centre for Forensic Anthropological Research
Fundamentals of Forensic Anthropology: Osteology
Mass Fatality Incidents
Forensic Craniofacial Identification

Wish me luck!

I am giving an important presentation today to the CDS Executive at Cranfield, describing how I have spent the £8,000 grant they kindly gave me to set up my Forensic Fieldwork Facility. I hope it goes well!

Warning! Pig decomposition movie spoiler!

I am still compiling the time lapse camera footage from the pig decomposition experiments I have been doing on F3. Here's another 'taster' of the full length feature film that will soon be available. Look out for the seething maggot mass.

Also, look who has come to take advantage of the insects and maggots drawn to the carcass... it's the "c..i..rcle of l..i..fe" (cue Elton John music)...