Exploding watermelons a result of speeding up the growth process | Image via www.guardian.co.uk Melon Bombs A new reason to go organic? Some agricultural chemicals can make watermelons explode. The growth accelerator, forchlorfenuron, can increase the size of a watermelon by 20 percent. If the chemical is not added in the right way or at

Dinosaur dude Jack Horner | Image via ansp.org5/17 Dinosaur Discussion This evening, prominent paleontologist Dr. Jack Horner will present a free lecture on Dinosaurs, mainly “how to get rid of some old ones and make some new ones.” If you’re not familiar with Horner, he’s a bit of a dino-celeb. He served as the technical

Image via www.westphillytools.orgLast Monday I blogged about the awesome West Philly Tool Library that’s loaning tools to community residents to jumpstart their home and garden projects. The Library just announced some great news: They’ll be moving just down the street, a mere 200-300 feet away to 1314 South 47th Street, and tripling their size! With

The Solar Impulse HB-SIA | Image via solarimpulse.comSolar Impulse After a 12 hour and 59 minute flight that required no fuel, the Solar Impulse HB-SIA, which ran only on solar energy, landed in Brussels last Friday evening. (Link) Pedal Power A pedal-powered helicopter created by engineering students at the University of Maryland achieved liftoff early

“We CAN Take a Slice out of Hunger” | Image via Barry Halkin of CRB Consulting Engineers, Inc.On Friday night a group of the city’s architects, engineers and contractors gathered together at Chestnut Street’s Shops at Liberty Place to take part in Canstruction, an intense 12-hour build that utilizes cans and only cans to create

In our March 2011 issue, we featured Iris Marie Bloom on our cover. The director of Protecting Our Waters and a declared environmental activist, Bloom is helping lead the fight against irresponsible natural gas drilling—or fracking—in Pennsylvania. As Bloom’s efforts have shown, the issue of fracking is complicated–from the technical aspects of drilling operations to the

Just a friendly reminder that tonight is the night! We’ve got boxes of freshly printed June issues to dole out, Flying Fish is ready to tap open a keg of their Farmhouse Summer Ale, and Rolling Barrel has created an expertly paired spread of chocolate, wine and cheese. We’re incredibly excited to bring you this year’s

Philips’ EnduraLED A21 | Image via nytimes.comBright Lights Early next fall, Philips will begin marketing its new LED lamp that has a light output equal to that of a 75-watt incandescent bulb. Those who purchase this lamp are expected to save $160. (Link) Salmon > Sea Lions After failed attempts to humanely prevent a group

The race is on this SaturdayTomorrow, Saturday, May 14th, nearly 350 local students will take 140 solar-powered cars to the Franklin Institute for the 18th Annual Junior Solar Sprint. Participation in this competition has given these budding young engineers a change to participate in a hands-on experience that has broadened their knowledge of solar energy,

image via healthylifestyleplus.comOn average, an American wastes a half pound of food daily. At Philadelphia’s Riverside Correctional Facility this translates into 150 pounds of food waste each day that is dumped into landfills. But thanks to a grant from the EPA, future food waste at the facility is destined for a different end.         With