One learning child. One connected child. One laptop at a time.
The mission of One Laptop per Child (OLPC) is to empower the children of developing countries to learn by providing one connected laptop to every school-age child. In order to accomplish our goal, we need people who believe in what we’re doing and want to help make education for the world’s children a priority, not a privilege.
Since November 12th, OLPC has been offering a limited-time Give One Get One program in the United States and Canada. During Give One Get One, you can donate the revolutionary XO laptop to a child in a developing nation, and also receive one for the child in your life in recognition of your contribution. Thanks to a growing interest in the program, we have extended Give One Get One through the end of the year. You may also donate laptops via our Simply Give and Give Many options. Through the increasing public interest in OLPC, we hope to give many more children the opportunity to grow, explore, learn and express themselves.
About the laptop:
The XO laptop runs on Linux, a free and open-source operating system. OLPC's commitment to software freedom gives children the opportunity to use their laptops on their own terms. Children and teachers have the freedom to reshape, reinvent, and reapply their software, hardware, and content. There is even a button located on the keyboard that allows children to view the programming behind many applications. The XO laptop's revolutionary interface, Sugar, also promotes collaborative learning.
It's got pretty cool features for kids of all age!
Check it out:
http://www.laptop.org/en/laptop/start/
Janine Benyus provides examples of biomimicry
In the world envisioned by science author Janine Benyus, a locust's ability to avoid collision within a roiling cloud of its brethren informs the design of a crash-resistant car; a self-cleaning leaf inspires a new kind of paint, one that dries in a pattern that enables simple rainwater to wash away dirt; and organisms capable of living without water open the way for vaccines that maintain potency even without refrigeration -- a hurdle that can prevent life-saving drugs from reaching disease-torn communities.
Most important, these cool tools from nature pull off their tricks while still managing to preserve the environment that sustains them, a life-or-death lesson that humankind is in need of learning.
Much more than a reporter, Benyus is a champion of biomimicry; she's become one of the most important voices in a new wave of designers and engineers inspired by nature.
Watch video on:
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/18
Definition BIOMIMICRY: Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a relatively new science that studies nature, its models, systems, processes and elements and then imitates or takes creative inspiration from them to solve human problems sustainably.
All the great architects and thinkers in the past came up with great designs only by observing nature!
Leonardo took inspiration from nature, he carried a sketch book all the time with him, he would sketch birds, animals, human. He spent a lot of time in the morgue, opening up the dead and study human anatomy!
If we look and listen carefully nature will provide many answers! The structure of trees helps them to bend with the wind! the roots go deep to hold on to the thunder and storm!
According to Eugene Tusi "Nature is incomparable educator!We must look further and deeper into the world of mystery, extraordinary beauty and perfect intelligence!"
Imagine if the sky wasn't blue! Imagine if the plants were not green! Imagine if the snow was not white! or Clouds for that matter! Nature is Perfect! Only if we could learn!
A design based on the structure of Beehive! Mind you Beehives are very well designed!
The parliament of New Zealand "BEEHIVE"
The Benefits of Green Building
In light of rising energy costs and increasingly scarce natural resources, it is not surprising that the global green building market is growing rapidly, with many countries such as the U.S. and India experiencing double-digit annual growth.
With strategies that include using recycled building materials, installing energy saving appliances, and maximizing natural lighting in building design, green buildings typically reduce energy use by 25 to 35 percent--up to 80 percent in some of the best performing buildings--resulting in significant long-term cost savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Some research also shows a positive link between green office spaces and employee productivity, retention and health (LEED-ND, 2006), which also have large, although not easily quantifiable, economic benefits (see Figure 2). Green buildings generally obtain these benefits from design adaptations as opposed to new technologies. For example:
* Studies estimate that using recycled building materials saves 12 to 40 percent of the total energy used during materials production (UNEP SBCI, 2007).
* Designing durable and adaptable buildings reduces the energy costs of demolition and new construction.
* Using non-toxic paints, glues and building materials prevent additional environmental impact and high waste treatment / disposal costs during demolition.
* Widely available energy efficient appliances create energy savings while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
* Strategic building design can maximize natural lighting and ventilation, which reduces energy needs and improves indoor air quality.
* A dual plumbing system can utilize recycled water (not suitable for drinking) for flushing toilets.
more on:
http://earthtrends.wri.org/updates/node/232
Today i wish to talk about universal genius and my favorite artist "Leonardo Da Vinci".
For those who do not know what his name means it is "Leonardo who hails from Vinci". Vinci is a small town near Florence, in the Tuscan region, Italy.Because of his illegitimacy he did not get his fathers name and was perhaps therefore called "Da Vinci".
I was very lucky to see his works up close, first hand. The memory is etched in my mind. (My sixth sense tells me i was born in the same days as Leonardo in his life time of course and that my wish to see his works was fulfilled in this lifetime.):P
It was an exhibition of his sketches, writings and some war machines that he designed at the "Galleria degli Uffizi". I also saw two of his famous works "Adoration of the Magi" and "The Baptism of Christ" on permanent display in Ufiizi gallery.
Leonardo was supported by the Medici family in Florence. Lorenzo de Medici was a patron of art and he contributed more than anyone to the flowering of Florentine genius in the late 15th century, supporting such giants as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Leonardo later wrote in the margin of a journal "The Medici made me and the Medici destroyed me."
Leonardo spent much of his time living in the Belvedere in the Vatican in Rome before he was was commissioned to make a mechanical lion which could walk forward, then open its chest to reveal a cluster of lilies by Francois I(King of France)and Pope Leo X.
He entered François' service, being given the use of the manor house Clos Lucé[o]next to the king's residence at the royal Chateau Amboise. It was here that he spent the last three years of his life. He was buried in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert in the castle of Amboise, France.
So people my next aim is to visit France, see rest of Leonardo's work at Louvre and also visit his grave in Castle of Amboise. Where it happens one of my French friend works currently.I have all the luck in the luck in the world!!