Alex Weatherall
@aweatherall.bsky.social
Physics Teacher (England and now Aotearoa New Zealand #NZEd #UKEd)
Technical-co-founder @teachertapp.bsky.com
Software dev for 12 years and teacher for 12.
Love music, the sky, and my new antipodean home.
Also on mastodon and no longer on twitter.
Technical-co-founder @teachertapp.bsky.com
Software dev for 12 years and teacher for 12.
Love music, the sky, and my new antipodean home.
Also on mastodon and no longer on twitter.
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
Helium is a colourless, odourless gas that barely reacts with anything, which makes identifying helium leaks a real challenge. This sensor detects them by monitoring how sound waves propagate through a topological material – no chemical reactions required. 🧪⚛️
physicsworld.com/a/new-sensor...
physicsworld.com/a/new-sensor...
New sensor uses topological material to detect helium leaks – Physics World
Device works by monitoring frequency of sound waves propagating through a kagome material
physicsworld.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Helium is a colourless, odourless gas that barely reacts with anything, which makes identifying helium leaks a real challenge. This sensor detects them by monitoring how sound waves propagate through a topological material – no chemical reactions required. 🧪⚛️
physicsworld.com/a/new-sensor...
physicsworld.com/a/new-sensor...
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
Surprising result has implications for quantum multicloud storage and information loss from black holes. 🧪⚛️ ow.ly/Zcvr50Y1LOH
Encrypted qubits can be cloned and stored in multiple locations – Physics World
“Elegant” result has implications for a quantum internet
ow.ly
January 26, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Surprising result has implications for quantum multicloud storage and information loss from black holes. 🧪⚛️ ow.ly/Zcvr50Y1LOH
A reminder, penguins reside in the southern hemisphere.
You ain't going to find them in Greenland.
You ain't going to find them in Greenland.
January 24, 2026 at 1:13 AM
A reminder, penguins reside in the southern hemisphere.
You ain't going to find them in Greenland.
You ain't going to find them in Greenland.
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
I was thinking yesterday that if you spent the morning saying that Starmer was doing the sensible thing and indeed any criticism of his approach was our fault for being childish "love actually" fans, that surely meant you were committed to the view that Carney was making a big mistake.
One of the most depressing things about Carney’s brilliant speech is the certain knowledge that neither Keir Starmer nor any other senior British politician of any party could have given anything like it - even if they understood the arguments.
“Principled and pragmatic: Canada’s path” Prime Minister Carney addresses the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting
Thank you, Larry.It’s a pleasure – and a duty – to be with you at this turning point for Canada and for the world.Today, I’ll talk about the rupture in the world order, the end of a nice story, and th...
www.pm.gc.ca
January 21, 2026 at 10:09 AM
I was thinking yesterday that if you spent the morning saying that Starmer was doing the sensible thing and indeed any criticism of his approach was our fault for being childish "love actually" fans, that surely meant you were committed to the view that Carney was making a big mistake.
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
Primary Teachers! If you’re making plans for science week in March and want to do something cross-curricular (science, art, literacy, PHSE), my picturebook “How to Find a Rainbow” would make a great focus for KS1. Happy to share resources / ideas for free if you contact me.
How To Find a Rainbow
“This charming story can be read on two levels – that of two sisters in search of a physical rainbow and that of emerging from a gloomy emotional episode and beginning to find joy again. It …
alomshaha.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:23 AM
Primary Teachers! If you’re making plans for science week in March and want to do something cross-curricular (science, art, literacy, PHSE), my picturebook “How to Find a Rainbow” would make a great focus for KS1. Happy to share resources / ideas for free if you contact me.
Four more days - then it's back to school for academic year 2026. That summer break went very quickly.
January 21, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Four more days - then it's back to school for academic year 2026. That summer break went very quickly.
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
Yesterday it was cows using tools, today its penguins using satellite imagery.
January 20, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Yesterday it was cows using tools, today its penguins using satellite imagery.
I endorse this message.
To all children out there: keep up with the 6/7 thing, I love how some adults clearly cannot cope with not knowing what it’s about. (It’s on BBC news again) come up with something new too. 😂
January 21, 2026 at 9:39 AM
I endorse this message.
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
what a shocking turn of events
who could’ve seen this coming
who could’ve seen this coming
OpenAI Reportedly Planning to Make ChatGPT "Prioritize" Advertisers in Conversation
OpenAI employees working on ChatGPT report plans to unleash sponsored advertisements above organic results.
futurism.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:07 AM
what a shocking turn of events
who could’ve seen this coming
who could’ve seen this coming
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
From math basics to problem solving: What two new studies teach us about the math wars theeconomyofmeaning.com/2025/09/04/f...
From math basics to problem solving: What two new studies teach us about the math wars
Learn how explicit instruction vs constructivist methods in math education can shape student success and problem-solving skills.
theeconomyofmeaning.com
December 30, 2025 at 9:09 AM
From math basics to problem solving: What two new studies teach us about the math wars theeconomyofmeaning.com/2025/09/04/f...
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
Currently the Quadrantids meteor shower is active. Peak 3-4 January 2026. Can be a good one but affected by the Full Moon this time around. 🔭 🧪
December 30, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Currently the Quadrantids meteor shower is active. Peak 3-4 January 2026. Can be a good one but affected by the Full Moon this time around. 🔭 🧪
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
You're thinking avocado.
It's actually a virtual representation of a person, mostly used in video games or social media.
It's actually a virtual representation of a person, mostly used in video games or social media.
You're thinking of an accordion.
It's actually a fruit with a big seed, often served on toast for breakfast.
It's actually a fruit with a big seed, often served on toast for breakfast.
You’re thinking of accumulator.
It’s actually a musical instrument with folding bellows that cause free metal reeds to vibrate, the notes being determined by pressing on studs or a keyboard.
It’s actually a musical instrument with folding bellows that cause free metal reeds to vibrate, the notes being determined by pressing on studs or a keyboard.
December 28, 2025 at 8:04 AM
You're thinking avocado.
It's actually a virtual representation of a person, mostly used in video games or social media.
It's actually a virtual representation of a person, mostly used in video games or social media.
Unpopular teacher take: hearing kids shrug 6-7 doesn't annoy me.
December 28, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Unpopular teacher take: hearing kids shrug 6-7 doesn't annoy me.
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
![Comic. [Banner: Mathematical Society: 2025 Meeting.] PERSON 1 with bun: Any other new developments from the year to cover before we wrap? PERSON 2: Oh, the teens picked a new funny number. PERSON 3 with short hair: Aww, I’m glad to hear they’re still doing that. PERSON 4 with ponytail: I’ll add it to the list. [List: 23 (skidoo!; 42; 69; 420; 1,337; 58,008; [circled]: 67]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreig43e2u4zzpifhq6fbf2iwplmva2lt5rokfg5uws5dysbe55up6wa@jpeg)
December 26, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
Make more stuff with colleagues you love.
What is your theme for the new year?
Mine is: Go where you are wanted.
Mine is: Go where you are wanted.
December 27, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Make more stuff with colleagues you love.
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
I think all of the tech bros should be first to the Mars colony.
December 16, 2025 at 4:35 AM
I think all of the tech bros should be first to the Mars colony.
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
An illustration of the 'commission-based' theory of evolution.
The Pilot Whale
www.worldofmoose.com/products/pil...
The Pilot Whale
www.worldofmoose.com/products/pil...
December 16, 2025 at 9:11 AM
An illustration of the 'commission-based' theory of evolution.
The Pilot Whale
www.worldofmoose.com/products/pil...
The Pilot Whale
www.worldofmoose.com/products/pil...
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
Still in a state of shock trying to process the tragic loss of one of the most gifted men in the entertainment industry & his wife when the Embarrassment-in-Chief disgraces common human decency with this repulsive, deranged statement.
#NoWords 🤮
#NoWords 🤮
December 15, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Still in a state of shock trying to process the tragic loss of one of the most gifted men in the entertainment industry & his wife when the Embarrassment-in-Chief disgraces common human decency with this repulsive, deranged statement.
#NoWords 🤮
#NoWords 🤮
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
It's so bad, we now have an article in the international edition of The Guardian.
“unprecedented in both its length and its language”
@evacorlett.bsky.social doing some of her best work, again.
#nzpol
“unprecedented in both its length and its language”
@evacorlett.bsky.social doing some of her best work, again.
#nzpol
UN report sounds alarm over Māori rights in New Zealand
UN committee raised concerns over government policies including scrapping the Māori Health Authority and funding cuts for Indigenous services
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:31 AM
It's so bad, we now have an article in the international edition of The Guardian.
“unprecedented in both its length and its language”
@evacorlett.bsky.social doing some of her best work, again.
#nzpol
“unprecedented in both its length and its language”
@evacorlett.bsky.social doing some of her best work, again.
#nzpol
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
At the start of the year my year 9s were by far my worst class. On every level.
They were rude, late; they’d scream and shout and not have a clue what was going on.
It couldn’t continue. So I started selecting a few books at the end of each lesson to ‘mark’. 1/n
They were rude, late; they’d scream and shout and not have a clue what was going on.
It couldn’t continue. So I started selecting a few books at the end of each lesson to ‘mark’. 1/n
December 6, 2025 at 8:54 AM
At the start of the year my year 9s were by far my worst class. On every level.
They were rude, late; they’d scream and shout and not have a clue what was going on.
It couldn’t continue. So I started selecting a few books at the end of each lesson to ‘mark’. 1/n
They were rude, late; they’d scream and shout and not have a clue what was going on.
It couldn’t continue. So I started selecting a few books at the end of each lesson to ‘mark’. 1/n
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
This one is for the foodies 🧑🍳
You've heard of elf on a shelf. Now get ready for...
🔭🐡🧪
You've heard of elf on a shelf. Now get ready for...
🔭🐡🧪
December 6, 2025 at 8:42 PM
This one is for the foodies 🧑🍳
You've heard of elf on a shelf. Now get ready for...
🔭🐡🧪
You've heard of elf on a shelf. Now get ready for...
🔭🐡🧪
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
My @politicshome.bsky.social story from the summer about the AI-generated "I rise to speak" phenomenon in Parliament has made it into @nytimes.com 🇺🇸
(sadly, without credit)
(sadly, without credit)
December 6, 2025 at 2:46 PM
My @politicshome.bsky.social story from the summer about the AI-generated "I rise to speak" phenomenon in Parliament has made it into @nytimes.com 🇺🇸
(sadly, without credit)
(sadly, without credit)
I was 43 5 years ago, and after spending my 42nd year tweeting a lot of Hitchhiker related quotes and silliness, I spent much of 43 (back in my prime) tweeting number facts. (Next year I'll be 7^2)
So I appreciate the factoids about 246 at the start of Tom's post here.
So I appreciate the factoids about 246 at the start of Tom's post here.
December's #CarnivalOfMathematics is in town! This month I am your Ringmaster, and Carnival #246 is here: tommaths.blogspot.com/2025/12/carn...
#MathsToday
#MathsToday
Carnival of Mathematics #246
The 246th issue of the wandering Carnival of Mathematics!
tommaths.blogspot.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:18 AM
I was 43 5 years ago, and after spending my 42nd year tweeting a lot of Hitchhiker related quotes and silliness, I spent much of 43 (back in my prime) tweeting number facts. (Next year I'll be 7^2)
So I appreciate the factoids about 246 at the start of Tom's post here.
So I appreciate the factoids about 246 at the start of Tom's post here.
Reposted by Alex Weatherall
