See what's on the slab

They did it again!

Momma stopped by a Super Target today and found it stocked with Wonderful New Items for 18" Vinyl Americans!

Some are so new We can't find them online at either Target.com or ourgeneration.com, but they are found at smythstoys.com in the United Kingdom. 

Momma found the new Healthy Paws Vet Clinic (we are sooo getting it someday!), and new plush pets including a turtle, ferret, guinea pig, and kitten. 

But what is coming home first? The Our Generation Schoolroom Science Deluxe Lab Set. 

It's time for science with this Our Generation Schoolroom Science Deluxe Lab Set. (Doll and outfit sold separately) Our Generation Schoolroom Science Deluxe Lab Set Contents: An apron, a pair of gloves, a skeleton model witkh a pole and a stand, a rolling cart, a functional bunsen burner, a flask, a beaker, a florence flask, a functional microscope, a tube stand with three test tubes, a pair of glasses, two phials, a bottle with crystals, a rubber ball pipette, a measuring spoon, a molecule model, a pencil, a marker with a lid, two copybooks, a textbook, and a periodic table chart. 

Just what I need for my Mad Scientist Laboratory!

I've said it before and I'll say it again - AG better watch out! OG is winning the accessories war. 

Liver of life

I know I am really, really late (blame Momma) in announcing the winner here, but Donna Wooten is the winner of the Life Science Set! (She was privately notified earlier this week.)

The Our Generation Life Science Set includes one molecule model, one anatomy torso with three removable pieces (rib cage, lungs, and liver), one book, and one poster.

While hundreds of thousands did not participate in My Giveaway (unlike The March for Science which did!) I truly appreciate Each and Every one of you who did. 

Congratulations Donna!

Life loves the liver of it. 

Maya Angelou

Science not silence

Whew, I'm just in time!

In honor of The March for Science I am having a drawing for the Highly Coveted Life Science Set from Our Generation. 

The March for Science (formerly known as the Scientists' March on Washington) was a series of rallies and marches held in Washington, D.C. and more than 600 cities across the world on Earth Day, April 22, 2017.

According to organizers, the march is a non-partisan movement to celebrate science and the role it plays in everyday lives. The main goals of the march and rally are to call for science that upholds the common good and to call for evidence-based policy in the public's best interest.

The march is part of growing political activity by American scientists in the wake of the November 2016 and the 2017 Women's March.

Comment below or a my Facebook page by midnight tomorrow, Sunday, April 23, 2017. Momma and I shall contact the winner for a mailing address. 

The Our Generation Life Science Set includes one molecule model, one anatomy torso with three removable pieces (rib cage, lungs, and liver), one book, and one poster.

Good luck! May the odds be ever in your favor.

Unraveling the mysteries

Wow.

All I can say is American Girl had better watch out. Target's Our Generation line by Battat is becoming a Serious Contender when it come to Cool Accessories for Vinyl Americans. 

(According to its website, Battat is a family-owned business that is almost 120 years old!)

AG still wins the doll department, hands down, but OGs accessories are becoming better and better each and every year.

Momma got Me the Under the Microscope set a few years ago. (We found a few pieces of it after The Fire.)

Under the Microscope Includes:

1 microscope

1 tube stand

3 test tubes

1 pair of glasses

1 Erlenmeyer Flask

Today she found the Highly Coveted Life Science Set, which includes:

1 molecule model

1 anatomy torso with 3 removable pieces (rib cage, lungs and liver)

1 book

1 poster

AND the Lab Class Set! It includes:

1 volcano with functioning light

2 phials

1 bottle of baking soda

1 measuring spoon

1 rubber ball pipette

1 bottle of dishwashing liquid

1 pair of glasses

She also spotted the Specialty doll Blanca, who comes with:

1 non-poseable 18-inch doll

1 shirt

1 skirt

1 lab coat

1 pair of socks

1 pair of undies

1 pair of boots

1 bow tie

1 pair of steampunk goggles

1 pair of glasses

1 wind-up robot

1 caliber

1 atom model

1 pencil

1 robot spec sheet

I am seriously geeking out!

Does anyone want to play Mad Scientist with me?

Now that's motivation

Momma and I were browsing Etsy when we stumbled across Megan Lee Studio: Science, Astronomy, & Geek Chic Designs.

Using art to inspire science, education, and celebrate the joys of learning, reading, and showing off your nerdy geek pride!

I love her designs and ideas. My two favorites?

Women Inspire Science featuring:

• Ada Lovelace
• Marie Curie
• Lise Meitner
• Cecelia Payne
• Barbara McClintock
• Grace Hopper
• Rachel Carson
• Rosalind Franklin
• Esther Lederberg
• Jane Goodall
• Jocelyn Bell Burnell
• Mae Jemison
• (And space for Your's Truly!)

 and Tea & Books Make the World Brighter.

Which are your favorites?

Raising Arizona Geeks

My Steam Team and I have been invited to participate in Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiative Geek Week and Geeks’ Night Out in Tempe, Ariz!

Tempe is known for its technology companies, its entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, and groundbreaking research at Arizona State University and many other colleges. And, of course, if there’s one thing Tempe knows, it’s how to throw a party.

Join us for Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiative Geek Week and Geeks’ Night Out. We’re blending science, technology and fun to celebrate the Arizona SciTech Festival. Best of all, the events are free.

Geeks are really important to Tempe. About 20 percent of the jobs in our city are tech-related. We are, perhaps, the most tech-heavy town in Arizona, depending on how you slice it. We love geeks. They're smart, fun and want to change the world for the better. They've cured diseases, built robots, and yes, even helped us get to Mars.

Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiative Geek Week
Visit the Gallery at the Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe Public Library, Tempe History Museum for pop-culture, science-related fun throughout the week. Tempe schools will also host classes and bring in special guest speakers throughout the week.

What is Geeks' Night Out?
Be part of a very special Third Thursday on Mill Avenue on Feb. 20 from 4:30 to 9 p.m., themed to bring out the curiosity within. There’s science behind everything you love and we want to show you how it works. From science fiction to the business of science and everything in between, we’re celebrating smarts. Join us. It’s fun, smart and very Tempe.

Invade City Hall! (Or at least walk around it in your costume)
Phoenix Comicon hosts its annual Geeks' Night Out costume contest. Strut your stuff before the judging. Members of the Tempe City Council will lead the zombies, super heroes, super villians and creatures of all kinds on a walk around Tempe City Hall. Parade starts at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome to participate.

ROBOTS!!!!
Tempe School District Robotics Clubs
Tempe robotics clubs will bring the amazing robots they've built in class. What was once science fiction is now able to be designed, built and operated by high school and middle school students.

R2-D2 Builders Club
Check out full-size replicas of R2-D2 and other Astromech Droids with the R2-D2 Builders Club. With more than 10,000 members in 30 countries worldwide, the club’s replicas have appeared on behalf of Lucas Films in Deal or No Deal, The Rose Bowl Parade, The Fiesta Bowl Parade, movie premiers, sports events, Star Wars in Concert, the White House, Halloween events and the Today Show.  

Greathouse Labs
Evil robots take over the world! Lance Greathouse has robots that shoot fire and look like they came out of Terminator or the Matrix. Check them out!

Video Games GameTruck has been operating mobile video game theaters in the Valley for over five years with over 50 franchises nationwide. Come play with us as we show off the latest multiplayer video games in our state of the art environment. GameTruck will also be demonstrating Evil Controllers so you can experience gaming with the industry leader in modded controllers. The truck is wheelchair accessible.

Pop Culture and Sci Fi
Ghostly Fun
The Southwest Anaomalous Research Center will be at Tempe City Hall showing the equipment they use in researching potential ghostly hauntings. They’ll lead a tour of Monti’s Restaurant, reported to be haunted, at 8 p.m., if you sign up with them at their booth.

The Arizona Ghostbusters are ready to believe you! Check out this group of do-gooders in ghostbusting swag. See the proton packs and check out the rest of their gear. You might even win a ride in Ecto, their car.

Dr. Who?
Step into a full-size replica of Dr. Who's Tardis, which will be located at the corner of Sixth and Mill in present time, brought to you by Az Tardis.

Phoenix Comicon Costume Contest + Photo Booth
Dress like your favorite inventor, invention, science project gone wrong, whatever. Show off your Star Trek and Star Wars gear. We want to see your favorite SciFi costume on Mill Avenue! Strut your scientific stuff in front of Tempe City Hall. Prizes!

Comic Book and Graphic Novel Signings
Pop Culture Paradise is bringing several graphic novelists to sign their goods. Their display will be located in the ground floor retail space of the City Hall Parking Garage located on Fifth Street adjacent to Tempe City Hall. Look for Ecto, the Arizona Ghostbusters mobile, near there!

Desert Dolls Roller Derby
Desert Dolls Roller Derby will show how they can thwart gravity. Find them as they roll through our downtown.

Which will you like better? Their skating, their attitudes or their costumes?

Sustainability
ERIC Knows Recycling
What goes in the blue barrel and what goes in the trash? What happens to an aluminum soda can after you drop it in the recycling bin? Meet ERIC, Tempe’s mobile Educational Recycling Information Center – a 38-foot trailer filled with innovative and interactive opportunities to learn about the recycling cycle.

Chemistry in Your Storage Closet
Tempe’s Household Products Collection Center will demonstrate why you shouldn’t store your pool chemicals along with brake fluid in a cardboard box. Or why it’s not a good idea to have, say, cleaning supplies, paint thinner and paper towels on the same shelf. Many common household products can be dangerous – to your family, your pets and the environment – if not used, stored and disposed of properly. Learn more about how you can help protect the earth and your family by making smart choices about household products.

Schools!
Tempe Elementary and Tempe Unified High School District have outdone themselves with amazing science displays. See how the future of our society is learning STEM and using it to change the world.

Kid Zone
The youngsters of Tempe Kid Zone will have a display of their artistic talents around the railing of Tempe City Hall while Kid Zone staff will provide an interactive science activity for everyone to enjoy.

It's about time I got some public recognition.

Mwahaha like you mean it

I am just the teensy-weensiest bit jealous of the marvelous mad science lab my dear friend Francis has. 

But since no one can tell the story better than Francis and his Momma, I'm sharing it here with their permission.

So... you think you want to be a mad scientist? My name is Francis and I will help you along on your journey to madness. 

© Joan Dickhaut

The first step to becoming a mad scientist is to laugh like you're evil. Don't worry, you don't need to be evil. You just need to laugh like it. On the count of three, take a deep breath, throw your head back and laugh. 

One. Two. Three. 

© Joan Dickhaut

OK, let's try it again and this time I want to hear more maniacal laughter and less giggling. 

I want you to mwahaha like you mean it! 

Are you ready? One. Two. Three. 

Mwahahahahaha! 

© Joan Dickhaut

Ooo, that was good!  

Now, you need a laboratory... 

© Joan Dickhaut

Ack! Did you just read that as LAB-ra-tory? 

© Joan Dickhaut

Now, you must learn how to pronounce luh-BOR-uh-tor-ee. 

© Joan Dickhaut

Or if you prefer, luh-BOR-uh-tree.  

© Joan Dickhaut

Now scroll back through all those pictures again. But this time click on them to get a bigger view. 

© Joan Dickhaut

The next page has more photos and some basic instructions so you, too, can set up your very own (say it right!) laboratory. 

© Joan Dickhaut

Click here> How to Be a Mad Scientist: The Details

The only thing better than a mad science lab is a mobile mad science lab. I've told Momma to get busy and get my trailer similarly tricked out.