Computers Learn from the Language of Love

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 10 February 2017 > In the News

Reading romance novels is a relaxing activity for millions around the world. But could it also be a way for computers and robots to become more human? Researchers at Google’s Brain division have been feeding thousands of romance novels into working an artificial intelligence (AI) system to try to encourage the system used in search … Continue reading “Computers Learn from the Language of Love”

Stephen Hawking at 75

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 20 January 2017 > In the News

Stephen Hawking is a phenomenal scientist and scientific phenomenon. He enjoys his unique position as a popular cultural icon as well as one of the most respected scientists of his generation. The man who doctors gave two years to live when he was 21 has just celebrated his 75th birthday. To coin a phrase from … Continue reading “Stephen Hawking at 75”

Martin Luther King Day on the Web

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 16 January 2017 > Webpicks

These videos will help you discuss Martin Luther King Day in class. The third Monday in January, close to MLK’s birthday on the 15th, is a federal holiday and a day of service when citizens are encouraged to volunteer in their communities. This 60-second Public Service Announcement for the day of service s simple – … Continue reading “Martin Luther King Day on the Web”

2020: The Year of Women

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 16 January 2017 > In the News

A campaign to get a woman honoured by featuring on an American banknote had even more success than the campaigners hoped. Both women and ethnic minority figures will feature on dollar bills by 2020, the centenary of women’s suffrage in the U.S.! National symbols are a wonderful way into discussing a country’s culture – and … Continue reading “2020: The Year of Women”

Australia Day

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 15 December 2016 > Celebrate

Australians celebrate their national day on 26 January, the anniversary of the first British colonisation of the continent in 1788. On 26 January, 1788, the British flag was first flown over the penal colony that was to be established at Sydney Cove. It marked the end of a nine-month journey for the 1,500 people, half … Continue reading “Australia Day”

Space Pioneer Dies

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 09 December 2016 > In the News

John Glenn was both the American to orbit the Earth, and the oldest human to go into space, when he participated in a Space Shuttle mission at the age of 77. He died on 8 December at the venerable age of 95. In 1962, the U.S.A. was losing the Space Race. The previous April, the … Continue reading “Space Pioneer Dies”

High-School Science Heroes

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 02 December 2016 > In the News

When they see injustice in the world, some teenagers take to the streets, or social media to demonstrate. And some take to the science lab. A group of high-school students in Australia have just synthesised an essential medical drug that is at the centre of a pharmaceutical pricing scandal in the U.S.A. In September 2015, … Continue reading “High-School Science Heroes”

Collaborative Science Online Resources

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 02 December 2016 > Webpicks

The recent success of Australian students who have drawn attention to a pharmaceutical price scandal by synthesising an essential medical drug in their high-school lab is a great subject for class discussion, involving science but also ethics and economics, as well as English of course. It can also inspire pupils to get involved in crowd … Continue reading “Collaborative Science Online Resources”