Saturday, August 30, 2008

Top Geeky T-shirts

Shiny Shiny rounds up their top 12 "T-shirts to Geek out with". Definitely some cool picks. Check it out!

Friday, August 29, 2008

Mathematical Needlework

 Mathematicians Sarah-Marie Belcastro and Carolyn Yackel collaborated on the perfect book for knitters who love mathematics and mathematicians who love knitting: Making Mathematics with Needlework: Ten Papers and Ten Projects. From the description
Every chapter (except for the introduction) has four sections. First, there's an overview intended for both crafters and mathematicians, so it should be understandable to mathematicians who don't know anything about crafting and also for crafters who don't know anything about mathematics. Then, there's a section of detailed mathematics which is intended for mathematicians. All of the authors have made an effort to include basic information so that mathematical enthusiasts who are not professional mathematicians can follow the bulk of the material. The third section of each chapter contains teaching ideas, and these range from elementary-school level to graduate level. Finally, every chapter has a project, with instructions written for and tested by crafters.
For more on mathematical knitting - and a few patterns - check out sarah-marie's mathematical knitting pages.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Cell Division Leggings

Regeneration at Etsy sells leggings screen printed with an illustration of cell division. Very cool.

And it's probably too matchy-matchy to wear with the leggings, but Regenearation also sells a bright red cotton blouse with the cell division design.

qtπ tee


If you are the kind of girl geek who likes to proclaim her cuteness, Geek Bouteek's qtπ t-shirt might be just for you (left).


And for the more sophisticated look, check out the Geek is the New Black tee.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Algal Bloom and Coral Jewelry

Nervous System creates jewelry based on the patterns in nature. Their Algal Bloom line is based on the patters found in growing mats of algae. Their dendrite line is based on the shape of coral. And you can also help design your own patterns
An interactive algorithm controls the aggregation allowing consumers to participate in the design process.
And if you'd rather select a pre-made piece, they have a nice selection of necklaces, earrings and bracelets to choose from.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

PC Weenies Guest Appearance

If you are looking for a fun and unique gift for a computer geek, you might consider purchasing her a guest appearance in the PC Weenies web comic. It's a great deal:
NEW* $5.00 - appear in a random PC Weenies comic as an extra. The Guest-Star option for those on a budget

$10 - purchase a PCW print of an existing comic in the archives (please add $7.00 for shipping on International orders)

$20 - appear in a PCW toon and get a desktop wallpaper (please specify resolution).

$35 - appear in a PCW toon and receive the original sketch and your choice of PDF file OR desktop wallpaper (please specify resolution). (please add $7.00 for shipping on international orders)

$50 - you will receive the original sketch, and a signed colored print on 8.5″ x 11″ quality cardstock paper. ( please add $7.00 for shipping on international orders)

$80- same as the $50 level, but beautifully framed - the perfect gift! (please add $30 for International orders)
Here's an example of what a guest appearance in the strip can look like.
Note that prices are only valid through September 1st.

(Thanks for the tip Ellen!)

Monday, August 25, 2008

T-Shirt Sale at Threadless

There's a great back-t0-school sale going on at Threadless: all their t-shirts are currently $12.  Here are a couple of their sciencey designs that I especially like: 


Lab Partners

Also check out:
Shop now, because they are selling out fast!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Friday, August 22, 2008

The Genome As Art


Circos is a unique method of visualizing genomic alignment data that is both quite informative and artistic. If you have access to genome data, you can use the software to plot data yourself. However, if you just want some art for your wall, check out their selection of posters

Image: One of the more abstract posters, showing "A transformation of a Circos image of synteny between human chromosome 1 and the entire mouse genome."

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Elegant Orchid Jewelry

Elizabeth Galton makes beautiful silver jewelry based on the elegant shape of orchids. It's a bit expensive - perfect for a night on the town, rather than for working in the field. Check out the beautiful offerings in her Orchid Ready-to-Wear Collection.

Shown: Sterling silver Cascade pendant. £555

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Fabric of the Universe


The Imaginary Foundation will sell you "Fabric of the Universe only $2 per ft" - or at least a T-shirt with that image. 

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Prime Number Posters

If you love numbers Perfectly Scientific's Prime Number Posters are perfect decoration for your office, lab or bedroom wall. 
For years Perfectly Scientific Inc. has been producing high quality posters of the largest currently known explicit prime number. Each poster is printed on thick glossy paper and measures 29 inches by 40 inches **. Framed and unframed posters dating back to June of 1999 are available for purchase.
The current largest prime is 232582657-1 and looks, from a distance, like grey scale noise. It's not till you get up close (or use a magnifier) that you can actually see all the digits.

Image: Largest explicit prime poster, and magnified view.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Awesome Girl Geek: The Guild's Felicia Day

Felicia Day may have come to mainstream attention when she costarred in Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, but my love for her comes from The Guild, "an independent sitcom webisode about a group of online gamers. It is written for gamers, about gamers by a gamer." And yes, Day both writes and stars in the series. She told Lifehacker:
I would say the end result of writing makes me very proud, but the process of acting is my joy. I created the role of "Codex" because there are not a lot of geek-girl archetypes out there in mainstream media, other than Tina Fey. I tried to tailor the role to feature my best qualities as a performer, and show the world that a lead woman character doesn't have to be perfectly put together to be able to carry a show. I spent years in Hollywood trying to be something I wasn't. When I finally embraced who I truly was and created a role for it, that was when I finally started feeling fulfillment.

Awesome!

If there is a girl gamer in your life, why not buy her a copy of The Guild Season 1 DVD?

Friday, August 15, 2008

Home Chemistry Experiments

Cool Tools waxes nostalgic about the 1960 edition of the Golden Book of Chemistry, now worth $200 on eBay. Unlike today's home chemistry guides, it has little concern for safety - no wearing gloves or worries about creating poisonous chlorine gas! While you can probably find a pdf copy of the classic on BitTorrent, KK actually recommends purchasing the Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture (DIY Science). Sounds like  fun!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Patron Saint of Biologists: Saint Albert the Great

Saint Albert Magnus was a Dominican priest who introduced ancient Greek and Arabic science to medieval Europe, and who personally had a great interest in botany and biology. Today he is considered the patron saint of the natural sciences and scientists. What better way to keep him close to your heart than to wear a sterling silver medal depicting St. Albert with his scientific tools!

Star Wars Wedding

Are you engaged? Are you considering a Star Wars-themed wedding (and why wouldn't you be)? You should check out jwinokur's Star Wars Wedding photo set at flickr for inspiration. My only criticism would be the mixing of characters Episode IV-V-VI ("classic Star Wars") and Episode I-II-III ("horrible Star Wars"). No Queen Amidala for me, thank you.

(via Neatorama)

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Get Ready for Fall: Pi Scarf

The greatest thing about this crocheted pi scarf created by Craftster mellifluousfondue is that you can make it as long as you like and the digits never run out!

(via CRAFT blog)

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Knitted Power Cord

Etsy seller KnitKnit is selling a cute knitted power cord
It can be worn as a decorative skinny scarf, or even a decorative belt. Use it to pull back your curtains or replace that boring old tie. Whatever you choose to do, let your imagination lead the way!
It comes in cream, brown, or black.


(via Popgadget)

We Are Made of Carbon!


The new Threadless T-shirt by Matthew J. Elliot is an homage to the 6th element on the periodic table: carbon. It makes us - and the rest of the organic world - what we are.

Buy the T-Shirt

Monday, August 11, 2008

Space Camp Barbie

If your girl geek loves both Barbie and exploring outer space, she might just love the limited edition Space Camp Barbie (and friends Teresa and Nikki too). 
Space Camp uses space to excite and educate children in the fields of math science and technology. Teamwork, self-confidence and communication are achieved through state-of-the-art simulations, missions, rocket building and robotics.

From learning about Space Shuttle Systems and life aboard the Orbiter and Space Station, to trying out space food and learning how to sleep in space. These customized dolls come complete with a space camp suit, t-shirt, helmet and jacket.
Space Camp Barbie can be ordered directly from the Space Camp shop.

(via Women in Science)

Stylish Floppy Disks

There's nothing that says "retro" in the tech world like old-fashioned floppy disks. Now Pure Design has created a bracelet that will let you proudly present your 20th-century geek chic.
This bracelet boasts funky and floral-like forms, and excellent designer and eco-credentials. Made from recycled floppy diskettes, the diskette flowers are mounted on a delicate cotton band.
At £55, definitely more expensive than the original floppies - or even a present-day 1Gb thumb drive. If you, like me, have a box of useless floppies stashed amongst your belongings, maybe you could create your own as a DIY project.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Geeky Science Merit Badges

The Boy Scout Store has a great selection of unusual and geeky scout merit badges - and despite the store's name, definitely great for girls as well as boys. Who wouldn't want a badge for blogging or brain surgery or Game Boy playing or rocket science (shown at left)?

Of course if you don't mind virtual rather than physical patches, check out the badges for the Order of the Science Scouts of Exemplary Repute and Above Average Physique. They even have a Facebook group, so join today!

(Boy Scout Store patches via Neatorama)

Friday, August 8, 2008

Stained Glass Brains

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is perhaps best known for talking about experiencing her own stroke from a neuroanatomist's point of view. Less well known is that Dr. Taylor also creates colorful anatomically correct stained glass brains. She's in the process of creating a line of bags and t-shirts using that brain as a logo. Watch her site for details!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Geeky Cakes


While surfing about, I came across this old post at Retrospectacle that has a great gallery of geeky cakes. Check it out if you have an upcoming wedding, birthday or other cake-related event coming up!

(shown: circuit-board cake, with yummy chocolate chips)

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Math Whiz Clock


OK, so its official name is the "Pop Quiz Clock", but that makes it sound like it's a chore. You don't even really need to be an arithmetic whiz to use it, assuming you are familiar with the layout of non-digital clocks. I like it for it's "I love math" sensibility. Unfortunately, there's no price or purchase information on the web site, so I don't know how you would actually acquire one for yourself.

And, yes, I know that the equation for "9" actually comes out to 9.005 (when rounding off, anyway). I figure it's within the margin of error for the second hand, so close enough.


(Via Nerd Approved, who for some reason appears to think the clock involves calculus)

Parasites Unleashed!


Zygote Games has released a cool new card game based on real world parasites.
Become one of life's ultimate insiders! In PARASITES UNLEASHED! you control a wily parasite, racing to complete your life cycle, mate, and lay eggs before your opponents. Do all the entertainingly gross things real parasites do -- bore into vital organs, hide inside a blood cell, hitch a ride inside a mosquito, even take over your host's brain! But beware, because your enemies can add stages to your life cycle, and zap you with medicine!
You can feel what it's like to be one of the most gross and powerful creatures on Earth! The game is for players age 8 and up.

(via The Loom)

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Patron Saint of Astronomers: Saint Dominic de Guzman


Saint Dominic de Guzman - founder of the Dominican order of friars - didn't become the patron saint of astronomers and astronomy because of any scientific leanings of his own. Instead, at his baptism the Blessed Joan saw a star shining from his chest, which associated him with heavenly bodies thereafter. A plaque depicting St. Dominic with a star on his brow (pictured at left) is the perfect piece of art to watch over your astronomical endeavors. (Other St. Dominic items.)

Monday, August 4, 2008

GeeKISSexy T-Shirt

Being a geek is sexy.  Why not give her a tee that says just that: GeeKISSexy!

Saturday, August 2, 2008

The Perfect Ad to Attract a MoBio Mate

PopperFont has a funny personal ad by a molecular biologist or biochemist looking for same. Is it real? I have no idea, but it's a cute way to search for a date who can understand your work.
replicationad

(via The Science Creative Quarterly)

Friday, August 1, 2008

Giant E. Coli and Other Microbes

Are you sick in love with a biology geek? Why not show her how much you care with a plush Giant E.Coli or other giant microbe?