O CHRISTMAS TREE
Give your prof a dose of cheer this holiday season with this little USB-powered Christmas tree. Just 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) tall, the tree's LED cycles through a rainbow of festive colors – red, bright blue, light blue, green, purple, and white. Compatible with PC, Mac, Sun, and Playstation2. ($14.99;
CAFFEINE NECESSITIES
Proudly display the molecular structure of your favorite pick-me-up on this glass mug. It's the gift that says, "I know my caffeine." ($7.99;
BAFFLE YOUR IN-LAWS
A doormat with a cool, funky retro pattern? No. Continuing the binary theme, the scientist in your life will see seven binary numbers that encode the word WELCOME (in 8-bit ASCII). May also be useful in the event of visitation by extraterrestrials. Made from durable, polypropylene carpet, this easy-to-clean mat provides the necessary friction for efficient sole cleaning, while the rugged vinyl backing offers skid-resistant traction. ($44.99;
WEIGH OUT THERE
With this pocket-sized digital balance, one need never be at a loss for hard data. And, it is great for winning bar bets on the weight of a roasted peanut. About the size of a bifold wallet, this balance automatically calibrates to 100 grams, weight included. The range is 200 grams with a resolution of 0.1 gram. Comes with protective pouch. ($59.95;
FUN WITH 0S AND 1S
Anyone can read a regular clock, but it takes a special breed to decipher the display on this binary display timepiece. This clock isn't just for computer wonks; an easy-to-understand explanation will help even ordinary folks go binary. And everyone will enjoy the ever-changing light display. Your choice of red LED display with a semi-translucent red face, or blue LED display with a silver face. ($25.00,
MAGNIFY, POINT, AND CLICK
If FBI agent Fox Mulder of
PI, ANYONE?
What's the holiday season without some yummy pi? Allow the scientist in your life to indulge his or her obsession with this mystical, irrational number with a blue cotton t-shirt sporting the number's first 4,493 digits. Transcendental! ($14.99 each;
EXPLORE THE NIGHT SKY
Perfect for the novice astronomer, this handheld computer tracking system shows you precisely where to find the star or planet you want to see. And if the object isn't viewable that night, the Night Navigator will tell you the next time it will be. If you don't know which particular star, planet, or constellation is in view, simply point the Night Navigator at the sky, and it will do the identifying for you. Comes with a 50-page booklet, "Navigating the Universe." ($99.95;
EXECUTIVE GEEK
Everybody loves a good Levitron. Use the Levitron Omega to demonstrate your understanding and control of the electromagnetic force in executive, cherry-wood style. With practice, you'll be able to spin the top on nothing but magnetic waves. ($38.50;
FUZZY WUZZY MICROBES
Who wouldn't like to get close to their favorite pathogens? Surprise the microbiologist in your life with a stuffed version of his or her life's work. Select from a roster including yeast, viruses, and bacteria; there's even a Martian microbe (
LASER LUNACY
Add a touch of humor or surprise to your next presentation with this laser pointer keychain. Twelve different filters allow you to project a hand, a foot, a UFO, a happy birthday message, and many more choices. ($6.95;
Interested in reading more?
Become a Member of
