Alom Shaha
@alomshaha.bsky.social
Dad. Science Teacher. Author of books including “Why Don’t Things Fall Up?”, "Mr Shaha's Recipes for Wonder" and “How to Find a Rainbow”. Lots of free stuff and more about me at alomshaha.com
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Alom Shaha
@alomshaha.bsky.social
· Oct 12
I’ve spent 25+ years teaching and “ communicating” science. As well as being a schoolteacher, I’ve worked with scientists and science institutions to help them explain their work to the public. This book is the culmination of all that work. Out in paperback Nov. 7th www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1529...
Reposted by Alom Shaha
1/3 What Musk is really referring to here is, of course “race” - that construct that served to define the hierarchies of wealth & power structured by modern colonialism. Like other far right racists though, he uses the word “culture” as a seemingly less pernicious synonym.
February 15, 2026 at 3:14 PM
1/3 What Musk is really referring to here is, of course “race” - that construct that served to define the hierarchies of wealth & power structured by modern colonialism. Like other far right racists though, he uses the word “culture” as a seemingly less pernicious synonym.
Reposted by Alom Shaha
Explaining the plot of Scooby-Doo to my daughter and realizing the central irony of the show is that the gang cruises around looking for magic and mysteries that never pan out, while the only truly supernatural element is the talking dog they all ignore.
February 14, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Explaining the plot of Scooby-Doo to my daughter and realizing the central irony of the show is that the gang cruises around looking for magic and mysteries that never pan out, while the only truly supernatural element is the talking dog they all ignore.
Reposted by Alom Shaha
My local library is literally a 2 minute stroll from my front door. I popped in yesterday & borrowed 3 great books & it's honestly such a treat. I see people getting English lessons there, baby groups, SEN kids getting tuition, there's a boardgame club - it's a genuine community hub.
February 15, 2026 at 1:28 PM
My local library is literally a 2 minute stroll from my front door. I popped in yesterday & borrowed 3 great books & it's honestly such a treat. I see people getting English lessons there, baby groups, SEN kids getting tuition, there's a boardgame club - it's a genuine community hub.
Reposted by Alom Shaha
This is really not good. Measles is so easily caught and so dangerous. If you haven't been vaccinated please ask at your GP surgery - to protect not just you but those around you.
“Seven schools and a nursery have reported more than 60 suspected cases of measles in an area of north London, and labs have confirmed 34 cases since January 12. Some children have been treated in hospital.”
archive.md/2026.02.1...
archive.md/2026.02.1...
February 15, 2026 at 8:41 AM
This is really not good. Measles is so easily caught and so dangerous. If you haven't been vaccinated please ask at your GP surgery - to protect not just you but those around you.
Reposted by Alom Shaha
“At least 34 children have been infected by a "fast-spreading" measles outbreak in several north London schools, health officials have said.”
North London measles outbreak hits several schools with at least 34 children infected
A number of children have been hospitalised as officials urge families to check they are up to date with their vaccines.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 12:14 PM
“At least 34 children have been infected by a "fast-spreading" measles outbreak in several north London schools, health officials have said.”
Reposted by Alom Shaha
This was a bit fiddly to make but very satisfying when finished. Used this video (with banging soundtrack) as inspiration www.youtube.com/shorts/wIM7I...
February 15, 2026 at 10:51 AM
This was a bit fiddly to make but very satisfying when finished. Used this video (with banging soundtrack) as inspiration www.youtube.com/shorts/wIM7I...
Reposted by Alom Shaha
They should reveal that Small Prophets was written by AI just to see the look on your faces
February 15, 2026 at 12:07 PM
They should reveal that Small Prophets was written by AI just to see the look on your faces
Reposted by Alom Shaha
This is all a bit Carry On… isn’t it?
Self-Portrait in a Cap https://collections.artsmia.org/art/42108/
February 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM
This is all a bit Carry On… isn’t it?
Reposted by Alom Shaha
Sometimes he made things just for the sheer pleasure of it. Like these miniature cannons: these are two of many he gave away as gifts to friends and family.
February 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Sometimes he made things just for the sheer pleasure of it. Like these miniature cannons: these are two of many he gave away as gifts to friends and family.
Reposted by Alom Shaha
Have shared a couple of things we’ve made so far this half-term. Will share more as we go along. I know not everyone has the privilege of being able to do arts and crafts at home (I didn’t growing up) but if you do, there are all sorts of benefits for your children. Free videos of toys to make:
Mr Shaha’s Marvellous Machines
Hello! This is where I’ll be putting links to FREE resources to accompany my book Mr Shaha’s Marvellous Machines, including videos of the activities and any templates or other informati…
alomshaha.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Have shared a couple of things we’ve made so far this half-term. Will share more as we go along. I know not everyone has the privilege of being able to do arts and crafts at home (I didn’t growing up) but if you do, there are all sorts of benefits for your children. Free videos of toys to make:
Going to make this later today!
February 15, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Going to make this later today!
Recently chatted to a bright young 16 year-old who’ll probably get an 8 in science but is on track for a 3 in Technology because he hasn’t got any interesting in anything remotely decent for his coursework. Sad that he doesn’t seem to have experienced or understood the joy of making.
The Joy of Making
This is the introduction to my new book, Mr Shaha’s Marvellous Machines I was born in a little village in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Back in 1973, there was no electricity or running water, but ther…
alomshaha.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Recently chatted to a bright young 16 year-old who’ll probably get an 8 in science but is on track for a 3 in Technology because he hasn’t got any interesting in anything remotely decent for his coursework. Sad that he doesn’t seem to have experienced or understood the joy of making.
Reposted by Alom Shaha
Youngest has made a car from the foam packaging of a laptop and some take-away sauce container lids. Below is a video on how to make a “pull-back” rubber band powered car that is easy and delightful to make
February 15, 2026 at 10:46 AM
Youngest has made a car from the foam packaging of a laptop and some take-away sauce container lids. Below is a video on how to make a “pull-back” rubber band powered car that is easy and delightful to make
Reposted by Alom Shaha
I am genuinely a bit concerned for literally every famous person. I think it is a curse.
Unfortunately if your art is acting/your calling is TV broadcasting/you make a good living at Tiktok videos it's unavoidable. But I think it is a significant risk for mental health and general thriving.
Unfortunately if your art is acting/your calling is TV broadcasting/you make a good living at Tiktok videos it's unavoidable. But I think it is a significant risk for mental health and general thriving.
And the sense of ownership of renowned people long predates social media. Having grown up in periphery of fame, I can confirm that it’s really weird, oddly enduring and leads people to do incredibly inappropriate and sometimes terrifying things to those they perceive as having it.
February 15, 2026 at 11:42 AM
I am genuinely a bit concerned for literally every famous person. I think it is a curse.
Unfortunately if your art is acting/your calling is TV broadcasting/you make a good living at Tiktok videos it's unavoidable. But I think it is a significant risk for mental health and general thriving.
Unfortunately if your art is acting/your calling is TV broadcasting/you make a good living at Tiktok videos it's unavoidable. But I think it is a significant risk for mental health and general thriving.
Reposted by Alom Shaha
I read somewhere that people who work in fields where they build stuff are happier than office workers because office work just...continues....whereas if you are building stuff there is a physical object that's gives a feeling of completion and centres pride.
February 15, 2026 at 11:42 AM
I read somewhere that people who work in fields where they build stuff are happier than office workers because office work just...continues....whereas if you are building stuff there is a physical object that's gives a feeling of completion and centres pride.
Reposted by Alom Shaha
“There are other benefits to making things for yourself, including developing your creativity, scientific thinking, problem-solving, and practical skills. I think we all have an innate desire to make things, but often lack the opportunity to do so in the modern world…” Read more:
February 15, 2026 at 11:05 AM
“There are other benefits to making things for yourself, including developing your creativity, scientific thinking, problem-solving, and practical skills. I think we all have an innate desire to make things, but often lack the opportunity to do so in the modern world…” Read more:
Reposted by Alom Shaha
For any parents / carers who might have missed this - here’s a thread of videos of TOYS you can make using scrap materials you probably have lying around your home. Perfect indoor activities for a rainy day like today
Fellow parents! Carers! Anyone looking after children over half-term! Here is a thread of videos showing TOYS you can MAKE at home from scrap stuff you probably have lying around. First, the utterly delightful "balancing bird" alomshaha.com/balancing-bi...
February 15, 2026 at 10:58 AM
For any parents / carers who might have missed this - here’s a thread of videos of TOYS you can make using scrap materials you probably have lying around your home. Perfect indoor activities for a rainy day like today
Reposted by Alom Shaha
My father was a difficult man with many flaws, but his abiding talent was that he could and did make*anything*.
Bushes need trimming? Here's a long handled pruner I knocked up. Incinerator broken? I'll just weld some legs onto this old washing machine drum.
A tool for every task.
Bushes need trimming? Here's a long handled pruner I knocked up. Incinerator broken? I'll just weld some legs onto this old washing machine drum.
A tool for every task.
February 15, 2026 at 11:15 AM
My father was a difficult man with many flaws, but his abiding talent was that he could and did make*anything*.
Bushes need trimming? Here's a long handled pruner I knocked up. Incinerator broken? I'll just weld some legs onto this old washing machine drum.
A tool for every task.
Bushes need trimming? Here's a long handled pruner I knocked up. Incinerator broken? I'll just weld some legs onto this old washing machine drum.
A tool for every task.
Reposted by Alom Shaha
This is an example of a format that works perfectly well in a printed magazine, but is actively harmful to its aims when presented in the context-collapsed world of the internet. Editors, you have to commission with an awareness that the biggest reach a story will have is as a half-read headline
I was so impressed with this story about measles in the Atlantic -- the depth of reporting it would take to weave in all these details so fluidly.
Turns out, it was a work of fiction. She researched the effects of measles, but lots of fiction writers do research. www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/the-...
Turns out, it was a work of fiction. She researched the effects of measles, but lots of fiction writers do research. www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/the-...
The Atlantic’s Elizabeth Bruenig on her “hypothetical,” heavily reported measles essay
"We were attracted to the idea of providing a play-by-play of the progression of measles in granular detail."
www.niemanlab.org
February 15, 2026 at 11:07 AM
This is an example of a format that works perfectly well in a printed magazine, but is actively harmful to its aims when presented in the context-collapsed world of the internet. Editors, you have to commission with an awareness that the biggest reach a story will have is as a half-read headline
Reposted by Alom Shaha
An utter tragedy. Science solved this problem, but a bunch of charlatans fucked everything up and brought it back
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Health officials are racing to contain a growing measles outbreak in London, which has struck down dozens of young children and affected 7 schools and a nursery.
UKHSA has warned an outbreak across London could see 40,000 - 160,000 cases:
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
UKHSA has warned an outbreak across London could see 40,000 - 160,000 cases:
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
London measles outbreak: more than 60 children infected
Cases are spreading between children in Enfield as the virus exploits low MMR vaccination rates, medical experts say
www.thetimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 6:57 PM
An utter tragedy. Science solved this problem, but a bunch of charlatans fucked everything up and brought it back
Reposted by Alom Shaha
If you’ve ever wondered how Vader made it back to the Empire after the first Death Star exploded.
February 15, 2026 at 10:51 AM
If you’ve ever wondered how Vader made it back to the Empire after the first Death Star exploded.
“There are other benefits to making things for yourself, including developing your creativity, scientific thinking, problem-solving, and practical skills. I think we all have an innate desire to make things, but often lack the opportunity to do so in the modern world…” Read more:
February 15, 2026 at 11:05 AM
“There are other benefits to making things for yourself, including developing your creativity, scientific thinking, problem-solving, and practical skills. I think we all have an innate desire to make things, but often lack the opportunity to do so in the modern world…” Read more:
Reposted by Alom Shaha
I've said it before but, in the absence of proper regulation and the licensing of metal detecting, then we must rely on the good old fashioned fairy curses attached to each and every hoard. Let the folk beyond the veil sort it out. 🏺🪙🧚🏼♂️☠️
February 15, 2026 at 10:45 AM
I've said it before but, in the absence of proper regulation and the licensing of metal detecting, then we must rely on the good old fashioned fairy curses attached to each and every hoard. Let the folk beyond the veil sort it out. 🏺🪙🧚🏼♂️☠️
For any parents / carers who might have missed this - here’s a thread of videos of TOYS you can make using scrap materials you probably have lying around your home. Perfect indoor activities for a rainy day like today
Fellow parents! Carers! Anyone looking after children over half-term! Here is a thread of videos showing TOYS you can MAKE at home from scrap stuff you probably have lying around. First, the utterly delightful "balancing bird" alomshaha.com/balancing-bi...
February 15, 2026 at 10:58 AM
For any parents / carers who might have missed this - here’s a thread of videos of TOYS you can make using scrap materials you probably have lying around your home. Perfect indoor activities for a rainy day like today
Have shared a couple of things we’ve made so far this half-term. Will share more as we go along. I know not everyone has the privilege of being able to do arts and crafts at home (I didn’t growing up) but if you do, there are all sorts of benefits for your children. Free videos of toys to make:
Mr Shaha’s Marvellous Machines
Hello! This is where I’ll be putting links to FREE resources to accompany my book Mr Shaha’s Marvellous Machines, including videos of the activities and any templates or other informati…
alomshaha.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Have shared a couple of things we’ve made so far this half-term. Will share more as we go along. I know not everyone has the privilege of being able to do arts and crafts at home (I didn’t growing up) but if you do, there are all sorts of benefits for your children. Free videos of toys to make: