I love the holidays, not that I don't have the opportunity to connect with family and friends throughout the year, but there is something special about having the freedom for even if it is Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day or New Year's Eve, only enjoying good times and good food with your loved ones. As a science educator, I am always looking for ways to teach people that math and science is connected to our everyday lives, so as I am making my own preparations for the holidays, I am thinking how various innovations in science and technology improved our ability to enjoy the holidays.
1. Transportation- Over the centuries we have had advancements through engineering, physics and material science that have made it easier to see our loved ones. Could you imagine having to walk across the country to see your relatives, going in horse and buggy or traveling the creeks and streams by boats to see your relatives. With the advancement in technology the automobile replaced walking and the horse and buggy. So know we can get in our hopefully fuel efficient vehicles on the Interstate System that civil engineers and architects created. If you prefer not to drive like me, thank to innovations in aviation we can get almost anywhere within the world through a direct flight within 24 hours.
2. Food Science, Genetic Engineering, Agriculture and Organic Chemistry, etc- Could you imagine the very first Thanksgiving where they grew and raised everything that they ate for that feast. Although, it would probably be a lot healthier for us if we were able to grow and raise our own food. So many innovations in all the disciplines of science and engineering has allowed us the opportunity and convenience to make our list, get in the car and buy what we need to make our holiday meals or in my case the dish that we will take to the meal from the local grocery store.
3. Electrical and Mechanical Engineering- I can't even imagine what they used to cook the first Thanksgiving meal. But today we have an host of appliances, small and large to prepare our feast. From the food processor to chop our veggies, the stoves that we will use, the deep fryer and roaster we will use to cook our turkeys and the fridge that will hold the cold items and the leftovers.
4. Computer Engineering- The invention of the internet has truly improved our society from the emails and e-cards that we can see to those we love that we won't be able to spend the holidays with. To using the internet to find directions to our destinations or purchase our holiday travel and/or gifts (Be sure to use www.Goodshop.com to purchase those items and make sure that SEM LInk is your designated charity). Or to find that new recipe that you want to try out or to find the missing ingredient from the recipe that someone shared with you.
As we prepare for this holiday season, I want everyone to be thankful for how science, engineering and technology has improve our quality of life and the celebration of this holiday season. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
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- SEM Link
- Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link, Inc. (SEM Link), a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, was founded in 2004 on the premise that exposure to members of the science, engineering and mathematics (SEM) communities is critical to student development in math and science. Our mission is to promote student achievement and career exploration in math and science while increasing student exposure to the science, engineering and mathematics communities and enhancing resources that are available at local schools and community organizations. Our two core programs, Math and Science Career Academy and Experimental Design Program, provide students with an opportunity to develop their math and science skills by enhancing the classroom learning experience and teaching them skills that are transferable to other areas of life. We recruit students and professionals for our programs that have backgrounds in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
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