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For Science Nerds - Random Envie!

Launch gallery slideshow

Swap Coordinator:Katica (contact)
Swap categories: Random Items  Themed  Nature 
Number of people in swap:17
Location:International
Type:Type 3: Package or craft
Last day to signup/drop:April 9, 2010
Date items must be sent by:May 3, 2010
Number of swap partners:1
Description:

Take a medium sized envelope (approx the same size as when you take a standard sheet of paper and fold it in half - I understand this can vary slightly from country to country) and cram it full of science-themed goodies for your partner. Put at least 5 different things in it.

I'm not setting a dollar value (since you can incude handmade or found items and how can you value that, really?), but please put things in there that you'd find nice or interesting. You want to put a big grin on your partner's face.

So, what are science-themed goodies? Glad you asked! They could include (but are not limited to)

  • Science-themed stickers
  • Postcards about science
  • Pocket protectors
  • Mini giant microbes from giantmicrobes.com
  • Amigurumi style sewed or crocheted microbes or organs
  • Fossils
  • Gemstones
  • Random things you've swiped from the lab (nothing hazardous!)
  • Interesting articles or abstracts
  • ATCs or artwork depicting scientific themes
  • Zines about science
  • A letter about something nerdy you do
  • Images or pages from textbooks (useful for collage or altered art)
  • Astronomy posters or images
  • Scented hand sanitiser (check profile for allergies)
  • Sciencey snacks (astronaut ice cream, rock candy, those mints that come in a test tube, etc)
  • A ballpoint pen that looks like a syringe
  • A shiney new pair of forcips
  • A laser pointer
  • A jello mould that makes brain-shaped jello
  • A microscope-slide keychain
  • Science-themed bookmark
  • A build-your-own model dinosaur skeleton
  • Photographs from the lab
  • A bonsai potato kit
  • A sciencey book
  • Prints of anatomical or botanical drawings
  • Souvenirs from the Body Worlds exhibit or some other cool sciencey or anatomical exhibit

oh my god! just think of the possibilities!

Now, since science is such a broad and encompassing term, you could end up with gifts related to all sorts of topics; biology, anatomy, astronomy, geology, paleontology, forensics, medicine, chemistry, microbiology, genetics....Be prepared for random surprises :)

Please be sure to seal your envelope well with packing tape or consider using a bubblewrap envelope so that there is less chance of having the envelope tear in transit. You could also put the contents inside of a bagggie before putting it in the envelope.

To join: A rating of 4.8 or above and at least five rated package swaps. I will check profiles!

Flakers will be mailed a gob of the Serratia marcescens colony I found growing on old tofu in the back of the fridge. Well, not really, but I will shake my fist menacingly in your direction unless you have a damn good excuse. :)

Discussion

Bastet 03/26/2010 #

Too bad I haven't any science-themed goodies to swap, your idea is SO fun ! (and I'm too afraid of the Serratia marcescens colony ^^)

Katica 03/26/2010 #

Bastet, if you really want to participate, you can still have the oppurtunity if you are crafty; You can make science ATCs, or write a science letter, or make science inchies or a science greeting card. You could draw pictures of scientific things, or write a story or a letter or an article about something scientific. You could crochet or sew or knit a microbe or an organ. There are all sorts of ways to participate that don't necessarily involve having access to a store that sells science stuff :)

crescendo 03/26/2010 #

awesome.

user2637 03/26/2010 #

I posted this to the Geek Swap Central group forum, as many geeks are science geeks. :) Great idea. I'm not sure how busy I am, so am watching for now.

Katica 03/26/2010 #

I see a lot of watchers but not a lot of people jumping in...If anyone has any suggestions or reservations regarding the swap, by all means lemme know. I'd like to make it a swap that people want to jump into.

crescendo 03/26/2010 #

Maybe make the signup date and swap date farther out so more time to advertise it and for gathering cool stuff to send?

Katica 03/26/2010 #

Done and done.

jadesmus 03/26/2010 #

waahhh i'd love to join this, but next month is going to be quite hectic. Plus i have only three rated package swaps so far since i'm a newbie. (I have pictures of my swaps in my flickr though!)

I think i'll PM Katica later and try to persuade her to let me join... x)

robotlove 03/26/2010 #

The only thing keeping me from joining is not having a set value for this swap. Otherwise, I like the idea of this swap.

littlepinkflamingo4 03/26/2010 #

This is the the most interesting, unusual and thought provoking swap I have come across.

robotlove 03/26/2010 #

Well, not having a set value or a minimum amount of items to send.

Katica 03/26/2010 #

I adjusted the swap. I'm uncomfortable with putting a price range, but I specified now that five or more things should be sent :)

pickleme 03/26/2010 #

Love Love Love the idea! My science/math nerd son will enjoy it as well. Watching for now b/c of no set value and the need to find some things.

obstreperousv 03/26/2010 #

Watching because it's super-awesome but I am too new to participate.

rogo09 03/26/2010 #

As a middle school science teacher, this swap is so, so, so awesome. Thanks for setting it up.

HippieChick 03/27/2010 #

Great swap idea! Love science geek stuff. Just watching for now; hope to get enough swaps to join.

user2637 03/27/2010 #

I'm watching actually because the date is so far off. I'm 82% sure I'll join, but I'm typically in around 20 swaps (all I'm allowed to join), so I don't join in until the last minute. Now, I've just got to dig out that stuff I got the the Atomic Testing Museum in Vegas... ;);)

CheekyMango 03/27/2010 #

This is so much fun, I joined straight away! I just wanted to remind people to be a bit careful if sending 'specimens' internationally. I am from Australia, and I know that our restrictions are rather strict with regard to plant and animal products. So things like plant pressings etc would definately be a problem. I would say other counties would be similar. Can't wait to start collecting for this one!

Katica 03/27/2010 #

Thank you for that reminder, Cheeky!

Katica 03/27/2010 #

I've had a few PMs for people who don't quite meet the requirement, asking to join in. I don't feel that it is fair to let in newbies after already making the swap a no-newbies swap, and I don't have the finances at the moment to do a private swap with everyone who wants in, BUT! fear not! Just be patient because I would love to do a part two of this swap in a month or so. Keep an eye out :)

jadesmus 03/28/2010 #

yay, looking forward to it!

robotlove 03/29/2010 #

Would sending computer/tech items be okay for this swap? I'm not sure if that really qualifies as science-related... but if not, I could just leave them out :)

Katica 03/30/2010 #

Sure, Robotlove :)

You could include stuff about robots, too ;)

shinywen 04/ 1/2010 #

What an awesome idea! With the animals and the plants and the minerals and the robots and... glavin!

washingtonmaverick 04/ 3/2010 #

So if I send things from the lab I should probably include a note on what the tool is used for correct? and shouldn't other people just incase the receiver doesn't know?!

Katica 04/ 4/2010 #

Yep, you should totally include a note with your swap, at the very least saying what your username is and what the swap is - and explaining any of the swap components if they aren't obvious :)

fromheathershands 04/ 6/2010 #

love it!!! I am so in :O)

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