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Martin Rundkvist, speaker at TAM 5.5, archaeologist and friend of the JREF, spent some time with Randi during his European tour. He reports:

I spent Tuesday in the charming company of James Randi and his assistant, journalist Brandon Thorp. Myself and P.J. Råsmark had taken it upon ourselves to act as native guides and gophers for Randi during his days in Stockholm at the invitation of the Swedish Skeptics. So in the morning we went cane shopping together, though none of the canes we found were sufficiently antique-looking for our guest, and he seemed to manage effortlessly without one. And then we checked out the Vasa 17th century warship museum, since this is Stockholm's one truly unique attraction as far as I'm aware. (You'll recognise my M.O. from Massimo Polidoro's and Manuel Paz-y-Mino's visit a year ago.) Randi uses the Vasa, which sunk on its maiden voyage due to unrealistic royal demands incorporated into its design, as one of the test cases in his upcoming book Wrong!. In the afternoon there were interviews with Lars Björkvall of Vetenskap & Historia and Christer Sturmark of Humanisten, the latter periodical being a publication of the Swedish Humanist Association.

You can read more at scienceblogs.com.

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Among the many highlights to be found in the jam-packed TAM8 schedule, is the robust lineup of expertly-led workshops offering practical, and often hands-on reviews of important topics relating to science, critical thinking, and skepticism. Many will be pleased to hear that among them is a teacher’s workshop focusing on some of the specialized skills needed to bring the tools of scientific skepticism into the classroom and beyond. I am very excited that the workshop is being presented by Barbara Drescher and a number of experts with many accumulated years spent learning the "ins and outs" of this sometimes tricky endeavor.  Below is a sneak peak at the workshop from Barbara.

The "E" in JREF at TAM8

You do not need to be a teacher to educate. Each of us takes on the role of educator when we promote critical thinking, science, and skepticism through private debate and public talks. So, you do not need to be a teacher to take home something of value from a workshop to be hosted by Michael Blanford, Director of Educational Programs for the James Randi Educational Foundation, at The Amazing Meeting 8.

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Brandon has been extremely busy in Europe with Randi's sold-out tour. Crowds have been large and enthusiastic. But he did have time to send off this missive and video:

Greetings, Jeff. It's late at night in Tallinn, Estonia, where Randi just lectured in the old city center at the Science Academy. The Academy is one of those glorious old estates meant to be lived in for generations, gilted walls disappearing beneath decades' worth of portraiture. (Didn't happen: A century after it was built, a bunch of scientists took it over.) This was a classier joint than we're used to, but Randi comported himself as well as you'd expect.

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June 08, 2010 — Impromptu vid shot with a camera we're only just learning to use. We are in a lounge at Miami Int'l Airport, waiting on our Swiss Air flight to Helsinki, where Randi will make the first appearance of his Sleep of Reason Tour, 2010. The audio is a little low, but bear with it. Much more on the tour in the days ahead.

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In its continuing efforts to provide resources to teachers and other educators, the James Randi Educational Foundation is proud to announce its grants for educators.  These grants are intended to help offset the cost of developing or improving critical thinking and scientific skepticism programs in the classroom and beyond. The grants will be awarded annually to educators of grades K-12 to help improve the education of their students, school and/or community in the methods of science and critical thinking through the examination of the paranormal and pseudoscience. Grants will allow teachers to:

  • Purchase materials and / or equipment for the classroom, school or community for use in skepticism and critical thinking education.
  • Begin new school and / or community skepticism and critical thinking outreach and educational programs.
  • Enhance and expand existing skepticism and critical thinking educational programs.
  • Attend courses, workshops or conferences related to scientific skepticism that will significantly enhance their teaching activities.

  1. Last Week In Science-Based Medicine
  2. Project Alpha Lookback with Michael Edwards
  3. Skepticism at the Granite State Comicon
  4. Grassroots Skepticism At TAM 8