STEAM (STEM + ARTS) News in Review: 07/31/20

Our STEAM (STEM + Arts) News in Review for this week. Below are the articles we read and wanted to share. Enjoy!

Did you know that the Finnish public school system is one of the best in the world? This article discusses the late 60’s educational reform that guided Finland to the top, and how these transitions helped promote learning. Read on to learn about the “5 Finnish steps for educational success,” and how these concepts work to enhance intelligence throughout classrooms. 

SagoMini: Joyful Learning: How the Finnish Education System Gets it So Right

There are so many styles of art, and they are all appreciated at different levels throughout the world. Abstract art, for example, may be appreciated by some individuals, but bore others with its simplicity and lack of fine strokes. Why is this the case? This article discusses this concept and how it connects with our brain networks.

ScienceMag: Do you like weird art? Blame your brain  

Are you familiar with the Droste effect? If you’re not, this article is the perfect example, portraying and presenting the work of artist Seamus Wray—that is, the famous work in which Wray painted pictures of himself painting pictures of himself. 

Colossal: Artist Seamus Wray Paints a Dizzying Series of Portraits of Himself Painting Portraits of Himself

Unsure of what is open or closed in your town these days? Curious about the particular status of an open restaurant? Looking for a COVID-19 testing site or a place to take your family for a socially-distant activity? Both Apple and Google Maps can provide you with all of that information. Read this article to learn about the specifics behind these updated map features.

 NYTimes: Your Trusty Maps App Can Help You Navigate the Pandemic

Interested in the science of evolution? If so, then this is the perfect read for you. This article discusses the hypotheses and research concerning different types of landscapes and their effects on human evolution. Read on to learn about the factors that are predicted to have impacted the evolution of the human brain, and discover the meaning and importance behind the “Goldilocks” zone.

ArsTechnica: How the geometry of ancient habitats may have influenced human brain evolution