Aidan Dwyer, 13, discovered that tree branches are arranged according to the Fibonacci sequence. Now this has been known since the Eighteenth Century, but Aidan arrived at that conclusion through his own observations. He speculated that trees evolved into this pattern because it presents an efficient means of acquiring solar energy. If so, could he built an efficient solar energy collector in the same pattern? The answer was a definite 'yes', and his efforts have led to a new type of solar power collector:

First he determined the ratios representing the spiral pattern of the leaves and branches on an oak tree, using a cylindrical double-protractor tool of his own design. Then he copied the pattern using a computer program, and built an oak tree-shaped solar array out of PVC pipe. He next built a flat-panel array mounted at 45 degrees, like a typical home rooftop array, and attached data loggers to each model to monitor voltage.[...]

He determined the tree’s Fibonacci pattern allowed some solar panels to collect sunlight even if others were in shade, and prevented branches on a tree from shading other branches.

http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-08/13-year-old-designs-breakthrough-solar-array-based-fibonacci-sequence | Photos: Young Naturalist Awards

Furf, a Brazilian design studio, came up with this children's chair that features angel wings. It would be ideal for a time-out chair. http://www.coroflot.com/public/image_file.asp?portfolio_id=5364187&individual_id=293647&s=0&v=4&a=4&t=0 -via NotCot | Studio Website | Photo: Furf

This photo was taken by Gregory Ferenstein in a CrossFit gym -- a company that brands itself as bring hardcore fitness training to the average person. I really like this picture because it's a good reminder of how totally badass is merely going through pregnancy. Link -via Super Punch

Matthew James, a 14-year old boy from the UK, jokingly wrote a letter to Mercedes's F1 racing team. He needed an expensive prosthetic hand and offered to wear a Mercedes logo on it, just like race car drivers wear on their outfits, if they would pay for it. They wrote back and agreed to foot the $57,000 bill. Now Matthew has one of the most advanced prosthetic limbs currently on the market:

The hand is so versatile Matthew can grip a pen to draw pictures and write, tie his shoe laces and catch a ball.

The hand, made from high-grade plastic with a black silicone socket, literally plugs into Matthew's arm.

Two electrodes on the inside of the socket detect electrical impulses made by the muscles in Matthew's lower arm.

The signals are then beamed to a mini-computer in the palm which translates the messages into movements, replicating a normal hand.

The hand even comes equipped with bluetooth technology for remote computer control of its functions.

Link -via DVICE | Photo: HEMEDIA

Well, it's about time that the little tyke started earning his keep! Make your child learn the value of hard work (or train for a future career) at an early age with this dust mop outfit. At the link, you can watch an advertisement that shows how practical is this ingenious device. Link -via Walyou

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Ian McMillan caught a baseball thrown out during an Arizona Diamondbacks game. He noticed that a younger boy was very disappointed that he didn't get it. So Ian handed him the ball. This generous act to a stranger was caught on screen and led to visits by players and the opportunity to throw out the first ball at another game. What did Ian learn? "If you do good things, good things will happen to you."

Somebody get this kid a copy of The Rules of Acquisition before it's too late.

Link -via American Digest

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The soccer team Real Madrid performed an exhibition match against 109 children from Guangzhou, China. Though outnumbered almost 10 to 1, Madrid prevailed with a score of 2 to 1. Link -via Blame It on the Voices

Cindy Hopper has a great idea for a kid-friendly craft. Have your child make a crayon picture on sandpaper. Place a piece of cardboard inside a white t-shirt. Then place the sandpaper face down with a hot iron on top. After thirty seconds of heat and a run through the washing machine, you've got a t-shirt front designed by your own child! Link -via Craft

Tattooing is no longer just for sailors, bikers, and punks. Now it's a rather mainstream and accepted practice throughout American society. So Phil Padwe wrote Mommy Has a Tattoo to help children get used to the idea of seeing inked people:

Mommy Has A Tattoo tells the story of a little boy named James, who is afraid of his tattooed neighbor until he discovers that his own mother has a tattoo as well.

The book emphasizes the importance of familiarizing children with tattoos at a young age and eliminates the common notion of SCARY that has sometimes been linked to tattoos.

http://www.amazon.com/Mommy-Has-Tattoo-Phil-Padwe/dp/0977023273/ref=pd_sim_b_21?tag=dealswoot-20 -via 21/2 Baker Street

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If you're one of my Facebook friends, then you know that I've been trying to teach my toddler to laugh diabolically. It's not really working well. Oh, she's laughing. But not with that kind of deep-throated cackle that a well-rounded adult needs when she goes out into the world.

This father, being a responsible sort, is trying to get his baby started on this essential life skill at a very early age. The baby is displeased by his efforts. -via reddit

People ask me, "John, why do you prefer DC to Marvel?" Well, this. I mean, do you really think that Wolverine would bother?

This kid had lost his dad in the crowd, and freaked out until he saw the Flash and Wonder Woman. He went up to the Flash to ask for help, because he knows him

Now to be clear: these were just cosplayers, not the real Flash and Wonder Woman. Link -via Fanboy

According to a new study conducted by the credit card company Visa, even the Tooth Fairy has been impacted by the recession. The per tooth payout has dropped quite a bit:

The study found that the average price per tooth dropped to $2.60 this year from $3 in 2010.

On the East Coast, last year’s highest-paid children are now the lowest paid ones. The price of a tooth dropped 38 percent to $2.10. In the South, children also took a big hit to their piggy banks as the price was cut 21 percent to $2.60.

The price for teeth in the Midwest and West Coast remained stable. Children in the Midwest noticed a decline of 3 percent, or 10 cents, to $2.80. While West Coast youngsters actually saw the price edge up to $2.80 from last year’s $2.70.

Link -via Marketplace| Photo by Flickr user PinkStockPhotos!

C.J. Senter is only ten years old, but he's already developed an amazing physique and an impressive football record. And beyond those accomplishments, he's teaching other kids to exercise effectively through classes that he conducts himself, as well as training DVDs:

C.J. started working out five years ago when his football coach told him and his teammates to go home over a weekend and get some exercise. He did some push-ups and sit-ups and loved it. Not too long after, he saw a P90X infomercial and loved that too. He's been working out ever since. C.J. does his own routines three times a week, after school and homework, and he's given new names to some old and boring moves, like the burpee, which involves a squat, push-up, and jump. C.J. calls that one the "shredder." He even teaches a class of (mostly older) kids at the gym near where he lives in Locust Grove, Ga.

You can see samples of his fitness videos at the link.

Link | Photo: The Post Game

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A Vancouver-based ad agency named Dare created this ad to promote child participation in sports. It makes clever use of the kids' bodies themselves to form infographics that express the dangers of childhood obesity. Agency Website -via Fubiz (Google Translate)

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This generous bulldog not only makes room for the little boy, but cuddles him, as well. Content warning: do not click the play button if you have a deficient cuteness gland, for it will be overloaded. -via Ace of Spades HQ