A Wide Variety of Chemicals - Test Tube Chemistry

A Wide Variety of Chemicals - Test Tube ChemistryThe ability to combine chemicals in a test tube is a powerful tool for chemistry students. It provides a single, relatively simple way to experiment with many different types of chemical mixtures.Some schools use the combination of a few graduated levels that combine several different classes into one. Students do not have to worry about mixing by hand, since a graduated machine can do the mixing. They can also combine several different classes of chemicals for more effective use in experiments.Graduated power with graduated machine - This type of chemistry lab machine uses a mixture of graduated levels. As you add graduations, your computer allows you to mix different chemicals. The graduations increase in power as you add them. You can combine all types of chemicals, including organic, basic, metallic, and base.Test tube chemistry allows students to experiment with more complex chemical mixtures. The variety and number of different c hemical mixtures are greater when students are using a test tube chemistry lab machine. The numbers are larger than if students only used graduated power or graduated machine power.Having a wide variety of different mixtures allows students to mix a lot of different chemical mixtures without worrying about mixing by hand. These hands-on, class-based experiments allow for a deeper understanding of how different materials interact with each other.There are three common types of test tube chemistry machines available. They are:When selecting a test tube chemistry machine for your lab, look for students who are able to solve problems in their own labs with test tube chemistry. The ability to mix several different mixtures by hand, without the use of a computer, can create a wonderful educational experience for students who love to explore the scientific world.

5 Things Math Majors Should do this Fall - TutorNerds

5 Things Math Majors Should do this Fall - TutorNerds Tips from a Los Angeles Math Tutor: 5 Things Math Majors Should do this Fall Math is a popular major because it provides students with so many opportunities in different fields ranging from finance to business and engineering to accounting. Whether students are currently learning about math theory or applied math, there are some things they need to know to be successful in their classes. Students will need to get some real world experience in addition to what they learned in the classroom in order to have a good start in the math-oriented career field of their choice our private Los Angeles math tutors are here to help you succeed this fall. 1. Organize formulas Math majors should keep a list of every formula they see on a test or as part of an assignment. It seems easy enough to remember a few formulas here and there, but by the end of the semester, students will have a dozen formulas they need to recall at will to pass final exams. One of the best ways students can prepare for these tests is to have a pre-made list of formulas with any necessary explanations so the student doesnt have to spend hours organizing before they can start studying. Saving time and learning efficiently is one of the best things math majors can do this fall. 2. Join a study group By nature, mathematics is often done alone, sometimes preventing students from social networking and becoming a part of their on-campus community. Students can combat this by joining a study group full of motivated and goal-oriented peers who can provide encouragement and assistance when it comes to completing assignments and studying for tests and quizzes. Regardless of major, all university-level students should have the opportunity to make new friends and make business connections for the future. Joining a study group is one of the best ways of getting to know other smart students with great careers in front of them (READ: 4 Important Things to do Before Taking the ACT this Fall). 3. Learn to love the calculator While many students may be able to get through college math classes geared towards non-majors with just a four-function calculator, math majors will need several calculators in their desk drawer ranging from graphing to financial. Once a student learns how to use their calculator properly, it will make total sense and make assignments a lot easier. However, students who are using a financial calculator for the first time, for example, may find the keystrokes to be very different. Students can either learn as they go or take a few instructions on how to use their calculator before they start their courses. 4. Real life math Math theory is important because it gives students a conceptual background for all of the calculations they will be doing and helps explain why computations are done in a particular way. However, most career fields will require workers to utilize applied math. When students are taking advanced level courses, they are encouraged to think about how a particular formula or calculation can be related to the real world. Does it apply to economics for finance? Can it be used to calculate statistics? Understanding the applications of math helps students understand its importance and also help them choose the particular career field that best suits their talents (READ: 5 Signs You Need a Math Tutor in College). 5. Apply for an internship Its also a very good idea for students to apply for summer internships early on in the year. One of the best ways for math majors to get career experience is to work at a company or firm that utilizes numbers on a regular basis. Internships also provide great business networking opportunities so that students have a foot in the door of their chosen career field upon graduation. Our private Los Angeles math tutoring will help you succeed this fall. Call us today, and we will match you with one of our experience LA math tutor. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Learn a Language Through Songs with These 9 Groovy Tips

Learn a Language Through Songs with These 9 Groovy Tips Learn a Language Through Songs with These 9 Groovy Tips You hum them while you work.You belt them out in your car.You dance to them when no one is watching, and sometimes, even when everyone is watching.Songs are an integral part of your life, so why shouldnt they be part of your language learning routine?Listening to music is so much more than just a fun way to pass the time. It can also be one of the most powerful language learning tools in your arsenal!You just need a good approach and the right song in your heart and on your playlist. Heres all you need to know to learn a language through songs. Why You Should Incorporate Songs into Your Language StudyLearning with music is a fun way to break up your study session without halting your learning. Conventional study methods are useful, but they can also zap your energy. Eventually, youll need a break to recharge. Listening to music in your target language can give you the refreshing break you need from your normal study methods while still upping your language skills.Plus, popular song s will be well-known in their countries of origin, giving you another connection to local culture. Not only can this make you feel more deeply connected to the culture, but it also provides a great topic of conversation for interactions with native speakers. You might even want to discuss your favorite songs and performers with your language exchange partner. For instance, Korean students will have no problem finding someone to discuss BTS with.Songs are also easy to memorize, so you can use them to remember grammar rules and vocabulary. The combination of rhythmic lyrics and a melody make songs much easier to remember than words alone. That makes them great tools to remember vocabulary and grammar rules you might otherwise forget.For example, beginning Portuguese and Spanish students can reinforce some key vocabulary with Meu Menino/Minha Menina  (My Boy/My Girl) by Luan Santana featuring Belinda. Luan Santana (the man) sings in Portuguese, while Belinda Peregrín (the woman) sings in Spanish.The vocabulary is pretty basic, so beginners can see common vocabulary in context and get more comfortable with word gender and past and present tense verbs. Plus, you can always read along if you need a little extra assistance.Music is also  easy to have with you wherever you are. Music is one of the most portable language learning tools imaginable! Its easy to load onto your phone and listen to in your car, on a plane, in line or anywhere you are when the desire to practice your target language strikes.Its easy to listen to music in short bursts. Songs are just a few minutes long, and listening to one isnt much of a commitment. You dont have to set aside long chunks of time, so its easy to squeeze in whenever you have a couple minutes. Because its so quick and easy, you could listen several times throughout the day.Finally, songs use repetition, which is great for reinforcing vocabulary. Songs are inherently repetitive, particularly the choruses. For instance, anyone w ho has heard Despacito  (Slowly) by Luis Fonsi can probably remember the titular word even if they dont speak Spanish because of the repetition alone. Because repetition is often the key to language learning, music and learning seem like a natural fit.Learn a Language Through Songs with These 9 Groovy Tips1. Pick the right song.Choosing the right song is the key to success. However, it isnt as easy as just selecting any song in your target language and listening to it. Instead, there are some key points to take in consideration.The first thing to consider is whether you find a song enjoyable. You want to pick a song you truly like listening to. The more you like it, the more likely you are to listen to it. The more you listen to it, the more likely you are to learn from it.You should also consider whether or not the song is level-appropriate. If a song is much simpler than your current skill set, like a childrens song, you probably wont learn as much as you could. However, if a song is way too hard, like a rap, everything might blur together, and you end up learning next to nothing. If you understand some but not all of the song the first time you listen, its probably at an appropriate level.2. Keep your target song handy.Keeping your target song with you wherever you go makes it easier to squeeze in a quick learning session. Because learning through music requires repetition, being able to listen whenever the mood strikes can increase your learning potential. Keep the song on your phone, on your computer and anywhere else where you might like to listen to music.Resources:iTunesPurchasing your target song on iTunes can make it easy to save it on your phone, computer and/or favorite device. And you never have to worry about English-language ads interrupting your immersive language experience!The selection on iTunes is hard to beat, so youll find plenty of great options in your target language. You can download individual songs or entire albums so that you have plenty of content at your fingertips.SpotifyNot only can you listen to some of your favorite songs on Spotify, you could even craft your own learning playlist! If youre not up for creating your own playlist, thats fine, too. There are a lot of existing foreign language playlists that can help learners find and enjoy great songs in their target languages.If youre using a free Spotify account, your playlist will be interrupted with some ads, so try to tune out the English and focus on your target language if youre looking for a more immersive language exercise. If you cant ignore the ads, though, try translating them in your head for a little extra practice!3. Use the lyrics for added support.Even native speakers cant always understand all the words in songs. While misheard lyrics can be hilarious, they can also create headaches for language learners.Thats why theres no shame in using the lyrics for added support. Not only can they help you make out individual words more clearly, but you can use them to study even when youre not listening to your target song. Referring to the lyrics gives you ample opportunity to look up and practice new vocabulary without interrupting your favorite tune.Resources:FluentUWant to take some of the work out of learning a language with music? FluentU can help! FluentU takes real-world videos, including music videos, and turns them into language lessons.FluentU gives videos a unique learning twist. Each video is captioned, and the captions are annotated to give you easy access to any words definition and example sentences. If you want to study a word from a music video more, just add it to your vocabulary list.But your love of authentic language learning materials doesnt have to stop at music! FluentU also offers other authentic videos, like news broadcasts, movie trailers and informational talks, so youll have plenty to choose from.When you want to change it up, hop on over to Quiz Mode. Quiz Mode combines videos, images and example sentences into flashcard activities that provide an authentic, engaging experience.And FluentU can help you access some of your favorite videos, including music videos, wherever you are, whether you use FluentU online, enjoy the iOS app or use the Android app.Lyrics TranslateLyrics Translate provides lyrics translated between languages, so you may be able to find English translations of your target song. Perhaps best of all, you can view the original song lyrics side-by-side with the translation, making it easy to check the meaning of any word or phraseIf you dont see a translation of your target song, though, all is not lost! You can post a request for a translation, and a friendly translator may help you out. If youre feeling particularly ambitious, you could even offer translations for songs as an additional way to practice your target language.GeniusGenius provides tons of song lyrics, so you can find a lot of popular foreign language songs through this website.However, Genius is more than just song lyrics. Annotations provide additional details on inspiration and meaning, allowing you to understand songs in greater depth.4. Look up new vocabulary words.Even if you understand your target song for the most part, looking up words youre unfamiliar with can expand your vocabulary and ensure you understand the song more completely.If youre using printed lyrics, looking up new vocabulary words is simple. Just read through the lyrics, jot down any unfamiliar words and look them up. Then you can study them in greater depth so that you understand them better when listening to the song.If youre not using lyrics, youll need to rely more on your ears. When you hear a word you dont know, write down what you think you hear. Then look that word up. If the meaning you find doesnt seem to make sense in context, try listening againâ€"you may have misheard a lyric.You can also maintain vocabulary lists for all your favorite songs to give yourself reference material and trac k how much youve learned.5. Learn one chunk at a time.When you first start out, approaching an entire song at once may be challenging. One great technique to learn and enjoy a song in your target language is to break it into tiny chunks.To do this, just listen for a set length of time, like 15 seconds, or just choose a section of the printed lyrics. Look up unfamiliar words and study them until you know everything in that chunk.The chorus is an ideal segment to start with. Because the chorus is repeated, youll hear it often, so learning it right away can make it easier to enjoy the song.6. Sing along.Finally, the excuse youve been looking for to sing at the top of your lungs! Singing along is definitely fun, but theres so much more to it than that. When youre singing along in your target language, youre also practicing your pronunciation and reinforcing the vocabulary youve learned from the song.Not confident yet? Try lip-syncing. It will get you used to thinking of what lyrics come next, and it might help you transition toward singing your heart out.If you have friends who are studying the same language as you, even better. You can get together and have sing offs, of just enjoy a language learning binge on your next road trip.7. Watch music videos.Watching music videos is a great way to feel more immersed in the music. Not only do you get great visuals to go along with the music (and possibly hint at the meaning), you may also have the opportunity to watch the singers lips, which could make it easier to figure out what theyre singing and learn how to replicate the sounds yourself.While FluentU is a great resource for music videos, there are even more options to accompany it.Resources:YouTubeYouTube provides a wealth of music videos. You can find a lot of the most popular international hits, so you can probably find the music video of your target song.And YouTube comes with some major bonuses! You can interact with other fans in the comments section, and many of the videos offer English subtitles. For instance, French students who dont mind adult language can enjoy Balance Ton Quoi (Expose Your What) by Angèle with English subtitles.To find your target song, try searching the song name and official video in your target language.VimeoVimeo also offers up a lot of official music videos. You can encounter plenty of foreign language content just by searching official music video, or you can search the title of your target song. Regardless, Vimeo has some great options, such as  Oasis  (Oasis) by La Chica, which Spanish students may enjoy.8. Dance along.Wait if the goal is to listen to your target language, why should you dance?Well, studying can be a pretty sedentary activity. However, studies indicate that physical movement can aid learning, so if youre sitting still, you might be missing out!The next time you watch the music video of your target song, just try to pick up as many dance moves as possible. Once you have a handle on the moves , try to dance when you listen!Not only is it a fun, active way to break up your study session, but associating words and phrases with specific movements might make that vocab easier to remember.9. Interact with other music fans.While music is great for listening practice and building vocabulary, it doesnt provide great writing practice. However, that doesnt mean your passion for music cant fuel your writing practice! There are avid music fans all over the world, and connecting with them online can be a great way to practice your writing skills and make new friends.To find fan groups using your target language, try searching music fans for your target language. You can even search the name of the performer/group and fans to try to find people who share your specific preferences.Resource:RedditReddit has plenty of subreddits dedicated to music, including international music communities. While these groups may discuss both English and non-English songs, they communicate in different l anguages. So if you find the right subreddit, you can practice reading and writing in your target language. And if no one is talking about the music you want to talk about, you can simply start your own thread to launch the conversation.Spanish students can try out their skills at Música en Español  (Music in Spanish), where members share music videos and discuss songs.Francophones who love music can interact in the La  musique française  (French music) subreddit.Learning Italian? You guessed it! Theres an Italian Music  subreddit, too.While not all languages have a dedicated music page, you can also discuss music in other foreign language subreddits. For instance, music definitely isnt the focus of the Japanese subreddit, but that doesnt mean you cant bring it up!To find subreddits for music in your target language, just search the name of the language and music in your target language on Reddit.If it sounds like music to your ears to learn a language through songs, try these ti ps to get started! Theres no groovier way to learn a new language.

Early Learning A Step to Success - ALOHA Mind Math

Early Learning â€" A Step to Success In our last newsletter, we discussed early learning and how it’s beneficial for kids to start as early as possible. This week we’re looking deeper into early childhood education. The Facts According to the Chicago Longitudinal Study that was conducted by the University of Minnesota, kids who attended an early childhood education program were 29% more likely to graduate high school than those who did not attend one. Kids are most impressionable during the first eight years of their life; their minds are like a sponge that absorb information at a rapid pace. It is also the time when kids form the habits that they will follow for the rest of their lives. The early learning that takes place at ALOHA Benefits of Early Learning The key areas that are directly affected by early education are social and emotional development, improvement of language use and cognitive growth. The development of these areas are vital for a successful school life. Here are a few advantages of early learning: Gives your child a head start in the academic process Develops attention span, learning abilities and common sense in the long run Assists in making healthy relationships with peers and seniors How you can help Giving your kids a head start in school would be the best gift ever as a parent. The earlier a child begins learning and developing skills, leads to better performance at school, they are more likely to be ahead of their peers in school, cultivate socially accepted habits and get better grades. Start the learning process as soon as possible and discover the genius in your child. About ALOHA Mind Math Founded in 1993, ALOHA Mind Math has been guiding children between the ages of five through 12 years to achieve academic excellence. The interactive learning process is proven to enhance a child’s math, reading and writing capabilities. The teachers also assist children in developing skills and abilities such as observation and listening that result in the overall growth of the child. ALOHA Mind Math is currently training children in over 20 countries with 4200 different centers. For more details on this unique program, please visit alohamindmath.com or search for the center closest to you by using our locator alohamindmath.com/locations/

A Physician Form For Tutoring

A Physician Form For TutoringA physician form for tutoring will be used by you to assess the needs of your child, and can have them identified in a number of ways. The goals will be based on your child's performance in school. Your child's school work and aptitude are all factors. If your child has done well in school, then you can probably request that they be assessed for this.A social worker may need to look at your child as a whole, and then write a report about the social, emotional and academic aspects of your child. They can find this information out in school, through teachers, friends and teachers. Your child may also provide some details about their personality, or other areas that might not be mentioned in your child's teacher reports. A physician form for tutoring is not the same as a report or assessment form that the school administration will use. It is a more comprehensive form that you need to fill out.There are many different things that can cause a person to strugg le with mental or emotional health, and you will need to conduct research into each one. In addition to interviewing your child, you should look into the school environment. If your child is bullied, there may be other issues that need to be looked at. If there are multiple problems at school, you should discuss it with your child's teacher.Some parents think that their child is too young to learn. This is not the case, as long as they understand how they can interact with others and why they are learning at a certain level. They can learn all they need to by the time they are four. They just need to be taught at a very early age, so that they are able to start their educational journey at an early age.One difficulty that many parents have is having a difficult time with schooling. Youmay have experienced this situation, and it can be extremely stressful. Another difficulty is that your child might not be able to concentrate on the task at hand.Teaching your child is not difficult, it is simply a matter of being consistent and clear. Your child will understand your lessons better if you are easy to understand. Always direct your child's attention to what you are trying to teach them. Never try to force your child to do something.As you can see, a physician form for tutoring can be of different ways of examining your child. It will be based on a number of different situations and factors.

Chemistry Jobs Orlando

Chemistry Jobs OrlandoThere are a number of chemistry jobs Orlando that are available. When you are looking for chemistry jobs in Orlando, you want to make sure that the position that you choose has all the requirements that you require. Below are a few of the positions that you will find in the area of the Florida that you may be interested in.OCA (Office of the Chief Medical Examiner) - The OCA is a division of the state that is charged with conducting investigations in homicides, suicide and other traumatic death cases. They conduct autopsies, autopsy reports, forensic serology, and DNA testing. As you can imagine, this office requires a great deal of skill, and a certification in the field. You can get this certified by taking a short course online.Occupational Health and Safety Compliance - The Occupational Health and Safety Compliance Division (OH&S) of the state of Florida is responsible for ensuring that construction projects and maintenance jobs are being done safely. Fo r example, if you are employed in a state department or agency, you are required to have the following level of training. First-class Obstructive Sleep Apnea Certification. CPR certification, AED certification, full-body restraints and airway devices certification are also required. If you want to work in a facility, you should consider obtaining your certification.UK (United Kingdom) - The United Kingdom is an extremely well-populated country, with approximately five million residents residing in it. When it comes to jobs that are available, it would be a good idea to do a little research about the city that you wish to live in. Doing a little research will help you narrow down your search to a select few that are available in the area. When you want to look for chemistry jobs Orlando, the area in which you reside will help you figure out the needs that you might have.Medical Office Positions - Those that work in offices that are filled with medicines and other products are more li kely to be required to work in a medical environment. Medical office jobs Orlando include sales associates, administrative assistants, and laboratory employees.Chemical Labs - Those in chemical labs will work with chemicals that they use in the creation of products. These jobs may require that you have certifications in other fields, but generally your studies should go into chemistry. Chemistry jobs Orlando might be found at facilities that produce pharmaceuticals or some other medical field.These are just a few of the chemistry jobs Orlando available. It is important that you know what you want when you are searching for employment opportunities in the area, so that you can make sure that you are getting the position that you want and need.

Tutor Pace Tips for Raising Good Kids in a Violent World

Tutor Pace Tips for Raising Good Kids in a Violent World 0SHARESShare Violence, harassment is becoming a serious issue these days which not only abuse adults but now are penetrating in the lives of kids and teens. These days, the major challenge for school and college academics is to nurture kids keeping their physical and mental health intact. Tutorpace, a renowned online tutoring company has a few tips to raise good kids in a violent world. Safety begins from home Online tutoring is available right at home which makes your child safe from worldly abuse. A parent can protect emotionally and physically their child as they remain at home all the times. Build Strengths in and around your child Tutorpace work as towards nurturing your child with overall development of kids and teens. The study says that development assets play an important role is making your child calm and steady while they grow from kids to teens. The development asset that avoids your child becoming victim includes self-control, school engagement, positive peer influence, peaceful conflict resolution, safety at school, home and neighborhood. Gives Support, Love and Comfort Tutorpace focus to give a comfort level to your child no matter how much upset they are. It gives support and love by giving an ear to the kids difficulties and guide them through doing the right thing no matter even if your child is a victim of harassment or at fault harassing others. Love and comfort are the only way to understand and cast your child towards betterment. Forbid Peer Harassment When your child is learning at home means they are in a safe place. Online tutoring protect your child from the conflicts that cause due to color, race, gender, national origin, physical and mental disability etc. Tutorpace forbid peer harassment allowing your child to give full concentration on their academics Divert with the use of Rich Media conversation     Typically, online tutors make use of rich media conversation divert kids who are victim of violence and harassment in the school. Tutoring online through music, movies, videos and presentations not only keep your child engaged in academics but stop thinking about the harassment that make them disturb all the time. [starbox id=admin]

Product rule

Product rule Product ruleis a formula which is used to find thederivativesof products of two or morefunctions.If u(x) and v(x) are functions, continuous in an interval [p, q] with derivatives u1(a) and v1(a) respectively at the point x = p, then the derivative of the product y(x) = u(x).v(x) at that point is y1(p) = u(p) v1(p) + v(p) u1(p) It is used to find the derivative of two or more functions. If the equation is y = uvw then dydx = uw dvdx + vw dudx + uv dwdx Example 1: Differentiate y= 3x2.e2x Answer: Here u = 3x2 and v = e2x dydx = u dvdx + v dudx dydx = 3x2 . ( d )dx (e2x) + e2x ddx (3x) dydx = 3x2.(2e2x) + (e2x) (6x) dydx = 6x2.e2x + 6x e2x dydx = 6xe2x (x+1) Example 2: Differentiate y = (3x3 + 4x2 + 2) (5x3 +9x) Answer: If y = uv dydx = u dvdx + v dudx Here u = 3x3 + 4x2+ 2 and v = 5x3 + 9x dydx = (3x3 + 4x2 + 2) d/dx (5x3 +9x) + (5x3 +9x). d/dx (3x3 + 4x2 +2) dydx = (3x3 + 4x2 + 2) (15x2 + 9) + (5x3 +9x). (9x2 + 8x) dydx=45x^5 + 27x3 + 60x4 +36x2 +30x2 +18 +45x5 + 40x4 +81x3 +72x2 dydx= 90x5 +100x4 +108x3 + 138x2 +18

The Mesopotamian Civilisation

The Mesopotamian Civilisation What was Civilisation Like in Mesopotamia? ChaptersMesopotamia: Basic FactsReligion in MesopotamiaMyths and Legends of MesopotamiaMesopotamian CultureTechnological AdvancesThe Legacy of MesopotamiaQuick: scan your memory banks for any references to Mesopotamia: what do you come up with?Maybe you flashed on The Babylonian Marriage Market, painted by Edwin Long in 1875, or you remember thrilling to The Epic of Gilgamesh, a poem that originated in that region, which is often seen as the world’s oldest literary work.If you particularly enjoy films, you might have called up the Scorpion King franchise, starring The Rock and Michael Clark Duncan.There have been several works inspired by this ancient civilisation â€" paintings, operas, graphic novels and science fiction tales among them. But even taken together, they do not begin to encompass the magnitude of this ancient society.To truly understand life in Mesopotamia, the civilisation’s social structures, innovations and cultural advances, we have to travel back to a time wher e few written records remain.Piecing artefacts together, your Superprof now weaves a fabric of life in ancient Mesopotamia. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsMesopotamia: Basic Facts Mardin, an ancient city on the banks of the Tigris, was absorbed into the Assyrian Empire Image by Tuna Ölger from PixabayThe name comes from the Greek: ‘mesos’ meaning ‘middle’ and ‘potamos’, which translates to ‘river’, making the meaning ‘Land between the Rivers’.GeographyCradled within the Tigris-Euphrates river system, this was a rich, fertile land protected on the northeast side by the Zagros mountain range.A vast expanse of desert capped off the region’s north; travelling south, the land gets progressively wetter, dotted with marshes and mudflats.Seen on a contemporary map, the region referred to as Mesopotamia encompassed most of Iraq, Kuwait and parts of Syria, as well as southeastern Turkey.The major settlements â€" Babylon, Nineveh, Kalah and Arbela, as well as Assur (until Assyria broke away to form its own empire) all nestled on the east bank of the Tigris.This location afforded them plenty of water, whereas the cities to the west had to depend on the fickle Euphrates to deliver an inconstant supply of water.GovernmentMesopotamia was ruled by kings, emperors and series of rulers from the same family â€" dynasties.Of these, King Ur-Nammu left an amazing legacy: the world’s oldest complete legal code.When they happened, transfers of power were generally not peaceful; even within the dynasties, they were rather brutal. Invasions and takeovers, led by powerful men or families were generally how leadership was won.A prime example of such: the Sumerians, the oldest Mesopotamian civilisation (and one of the first in the world, along with Ancient Egyptians), were overtaken by the Akkadians.They were permitted to keep their culture and way of life; in fact, they swapped cultural elements, especially language, to the point that both societies were, at one time, bilingual.Eventually, the Sumerian language became completely subsumed. By 2,000BC, everyone throughout the empire spoke only Akkadian.Are you curious to know how closely the Mesopotamian civilisation resembles Ancient Egypt’s?Mesopotamia in Economic TermsIn the foothills of the Zagros mountains, it was relatively easy to farm but further south, agriculture was only possible with irrigation of dry lands and frequent drainage of wetter areas.After gaining control of water, harvests became bountiful â€" so much so that Akkadians could afford to engage in a bit of trade with their neighbours.As they did not employ slaves, they had to devise tools to make farming easier; the use of wooden plough blades permitted them to plant onions, turnips and barley.This area that millennia later was dubbed the Fertile Crescent is known as the cradle of civilisation.The ability to grow food allowed the people to settle, establish cities and form governments, and spurred them to intellectual discovery.Religion was exceedingly important to them for many reasons, one of them being that their temples functioned as banks.The earliest large-scale credit system was developed b y the Sumerians but it was the Babylonians who developed the first commercial banking system.Was there a rivalry between the two?Not necessarily. After the Akkadian Empire fell, the region split into two nations: Assyria occupied the north while the Babylonian Empire encompassed the south. Both countries spoke the same language and actively traded with one another.So this was a peaceful time in human history?Between power grabs and fighting for territory, one could hardly contend that these early civilisations were content to coexist.There would often be fighting between cities; those battles would sometimes be arbitrated by an official of a nearby neutral town. Thus, strategic alliances formed. Later, as the region was governed by a succession of emperors, they mostly fought against foreign powers.A prime example of such is Sargon the Great, humanity’s first emperor, who often led campaigns into neighbouring lands to appease his constant hunger for territory.In Mesopotamia, warri ng was a fact of life.What was life like in Aboriginal Australia? Madrasas such as this were built to further Islamic instruction Image by Tuna Ölger from PixabayReligion in MesopotamiaThe earliest colonies praised natural forces â€" wind, rain and sun, because they helped to sustain life. It was only later that those forces became personified and a religious hierarchy was established.Early on, the deities demonstrated a balance of power between males and females.For instance, An was the name given to the supreme god, their personification of the heavens. The goddess Ki represented the earth.The Sumerian word for ‘universe’ is an-ki, reflecting their two highest-ranked deities.Their cast of gods soon grew to represent every aspect of Sumerian life, from the god of water to the moon goddess.One their pantheon of gods was established to oversee daily life, Mesopotamians turned their minds to greater philosophical questions.‘Who am I?’ and ‘What is my purpose?’ - the answers were construed as having divine influence.As society evolved, so too did the people’s relationship with their gods; it became more personal and, as more believers worshipped in their own way, Mesopotamian religion became more fractured.That had the effect of weakening the overall bond to their pantheon of deities.When Cyrus the Great claimed Mesopotamian lands as a part of his Achaemenid Empire, the people more or less abandoned their religious beliefs in favour of the religion their conqueror brought: Syriac Christianity.Do you know the deities of the Incan Civilization?Omens played an important part in mythology; it was thought that the will of the gods could be divined if only one could interpret the clues they occasionally gave.As such, a treatise was compiled regarding signs from the gods: what it means should a being be born deformed, for example, or what destiny awaits a people whose city is perched on a hill.Immortality was a common theme in Mesopotamian mythology: Etana, a king with no heirs, liberated an eagle and flew on his back to the heavens. This was meant to serve as a cautionary tale, warning against dynasties.Adapa, who had vexed the gods and was summoned to them, was careful to not consume anything the gods offered him, thus staving off immortality.From these two examples, it would seem immortality was undesirable. On the other hand...Atrahasis had been warned by the gods that a great flood was imminent. He followed their advice and built a boat, in which he was able to withstand the water’s great power.Ishtar was the goddess of fertility and war. Her descent into the underworld and subsequent reemergence justified the seasonal change from winter to summer.Mesopotamian mythology is full of stories that have been ‘borrowed’ and incorporated into other societies’ belief systems. In fact, they resonate still today, having undergone revision to suit new religious beliefs.What beliefs did the Ancient Greeks hold as truth? As depicted in this Sumerian tablet, warring became a way of life Image by Mariusz Matuszewski from PixabayMesopotamian CultureEarly in forming the Mesopotamian civilization, males and females had equal social power, a facet of the social fabric that changed dramatically over time.Women held positions as high priestesses in Sumer. They could own property, benefit from education and engage in a trade.Later, as warring became a way of life, women lost much of their social power: they were denied the right to education or to a trade. Soon, the societal role of females was reduced to caring for the home and children.Subsequently, Mesopotamia’s patriarchal social structure influenced every aspect of life.What kind of life did they have? What kind of life did the Mayans have?A Life of Leisure?Assyrian kings especially enjoyed hunting and the rich played an early version of polo â€" men rode on other men’s shoulders, not horses. Boxing was also a popular sport; scenes of boxers and wres tlers frequently adorned artwork.Board games were quite popular then. In fact, what we know as backgammon originated in Mesopotamia. Oddly enough, Islam expressly forbids the game even though it was invented by their ancestors!For the particularly energetic, there was a game similar to rugby, played with a wooden ball.Besides these pastimes, singing and music were important cultural signatures.People would sing at home or in the marketplace; oftentimes, songs were composed specifically to entertain royalty.  There were also plenty of drinking songs sung; after all, the Mesopotamians regularly brewed beer and made wine.Frivolity aside, songs had a far more important role to play in Mesopotamian culture.There were renderings of specific events such as battles or coronations, and they were handed down through the generations, becoming, in effect, oral histories.Musical instruments such as the lute, drums and other percussion instruments must have made for lively entertainment, especial ly as the Mesopotamians had developed an early form of music notation.Besides entertaining royalty, these early musicians were called on to play at religious ceremonies, funerals and festivals.Mesopotamian FestivalsPredictably, many of this people’s rites revolved around natural phenomenon:Lunar cycles: waxing moons were thought to encourage agricultural abundance; waning moons were times of conservation, reflection on philosophical matters and a time to revere ancestors.Seasons: sowing and reaping; celebrating a bountiful harvest or, conversely if pickings had been sparse, to implore the gods to intervene ahead of the next growing seasonThe first full moon after the Spring Equinox: called the Akitu or ‘head of the year’ in AkkadianEquinoxes: the days of equal amounts of light and dark must be observed!Solstices: the longest days and nights deserved special considerationNaturally, the reigning monarch and local heroes would be regularly celebrated, with odes and epics composed in their honour; the aforementioned Epic of Gilgamesh is a fine example of such.The fact that these tales were written and still exist today suggest that they originated from a very intelligent, organised society.Discovering proof of those people’s ability to observe natural phenomena such as solstices and equinoxes leads archaeologists to conclude that those living in Mesopotamia were very clever indeed.Did their celestial observations bear any resemblance to those of the Aztec civilization? Cuneiform is one of the world's oldest writing systems Image by Mariusz Matuszewski from PixabayTechnological AdvancesWe’ve already hinted at how technologically advanced the Mesopotamians were: irrigating dry lands and draining swamps, building ploughs and increasingly sophisticated weaponry to fight their wars...Right now, what is furiously debated in academic halls is whether the screw pump was actually invented by Archimedes, as has been long-thought.Many now believe such a device was used to water the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which suggests the pump was invented some 350 years before he travelled to Egypt, making the device a Babylonian creation.Besides, a clay tablet with a description of how to cast a water screw in bronze, written in cuneiform by an Assyrian king, certainly lends credence to the new school of thought!Sumerian cuneiform is one of the earliest systems of writing, consisting of wedge-shaped marks in clay... another of Mesopotamia’s accomplishments.As the Mesopotamian civilisation endured for so long â€" by some accounts, more than seven millennia, they were instrumental in shaping the Bronze Ages, the Iron Age and Antiquity, meaning they were crucial to many of the innovations of that time.And, in case you were wondering, they invented the wheel!All of their innovation means that they left a substantial legacy.The Legacy of MesopotamiaPerhaps without knowing it, you use Mesopotamian math every day.Their numerical system, based on a value of 60, gave us the seconds, minutes and hours of our days. Ditto the number of degrees in a circle. We also got our 7-day week from them.While both Sumerian and Semitic languages were spoken in early Mesopotamia, cuneiform was invented for the Sumerian language only. This gave the world one of the earliest, complete writing systems.Thanks to this writing, today we understand and enjoy the culture and legends of a people long buried.Babylonian astronomers were adept at math, a faculty that permitted them to map the stars with stunning accuracy. Their ability to ‘predict’ eclipses and other celestial events helped priests plan for religious observances.Medicine: the Babylonians pioneered the concept of physical examinations, medical diagnosis and dispensing medicine by prescription.Logic and rationality featured heavily in medicine as in other aspects of life, including agriculture.Mesopotamia is called the cradle of civilization because it was there that the first societies took root and grew.Their knowledge and skill at planting and harvesting crops, directing water where it was needed and developing the skills needed to advance civil living â€" glass-making, textile weaving and water storage, made it possible for humankind to form nation-states, political systems, laws and religions.And, thanks to their skill at metalworking, more deadly weapons were designed, ensuring that warfare would continue to be a part of the human legacy.How do the Mesopotamian accomplishments com pare to those of other ancient civilisations?