by Greg Kellner
It was a big year for events in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) areas. From the solar eclipse watched by millions of Americans to the reconstruction of the Notre Dame cathedral, 2024 had no shortage of amazing moments in STEAM. All of the moments below are rooted in Jewish values, particularly wonder-malchut, kavod-respect, sakranut-curiosity, taglit-discovery, wisdom-hochma, and so many more!
10. The largest known prime number, with 41,024,320 digits, was calculated. The last new prime number was discovered in 2018. Even with the assistance of computers it was very challenging. Prime numbers are numbers divisible only by 1 and themselves.
9. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took the Red-cockaded woodpecker off of the endangered species list and downgraded it to the threatened status list. Collaboration between the U.S. Interior Department, federal and state partners, Tribes, and landowners made this possible.
8. It was a huge year for AI, so much so that it could probably have its own list. The most notable thing about AI was when the EU passed the AI Act, addressing ethical guidelines for those developing and using AI. The risk of AI being exploited by bad actors or manipulated for unethical purposes is a pressing concern.
7. Robotics company Boston Dynamics unveiled the new all-electric Atlas robot, designed for work, and it got busy in 2024. The company has been leading humanoid research longer than just about anyone. The robotics community was unsure whether Atlas (with hydraulics) would ever be more than a research tool.
6. In 2024, thirty hospitals in England joined the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad, which matches patients with upcoming trials using the same mRNA technology found in COVID-19 vaccine. Thousands of cancer patients could soon access trials of a new vaccine treatment. It's designed to prime the immune system to target cancer cells and reduce recurrence risk. These vaccines are also hoped to produce fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapy.
5. 2023 was the hottest year on record, then 2024 destroyed it. Scientists say it was even hotter than expected. From Jan-Aug, the records from the previous year fell. Aside from the usual suspects causing this, a volcanic eruption occurred, and there were fewer clouds than usual in certain areas of the world. Scientists predict 2025 will be even hotter than 2024.
4 The world experienced a global coral bleaching event that was the fourth on record and the second in the last 10 years. Mass bleaching was confirmed in at least 70 countries and territories, including the Great Barrier Reef. It's due to warmer waters than usual with rising global temperatures in an El Nino year.
3. One of the biggest feats of science, technology, and engineering was the "catch heard round the world" when SpaceX's Starlink rocket was caught in mid-air by a robotic arm engineered by NASA and SpaceX experts.
2. People were glued to their television sets in horror as they watched the Notre Dame cathedral burn to the ground in 2019. The almost 700-year-old cathedral was a historic site for so many people. The construction was finished in 2024, just 5 years after it was destroyed. More than 1000 people worked together in France and other countries to rebuild the cathedral in record time.
1. At the beginning of April, the news about the solar eclipse in America dominated the news. Millions of people were in the path of totality and were able to see the magnificent celestial event. 'nuff said!
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