Google Easter Eggs and Bacon (Kevin)

Just in time for Easter I have put together a short list of fun hidden features that makes Google amazing.

Do a Barrel Roll 

This one is easy to find. Simply type "do a barrel roll" into any Google Search bar and see what happens!

Calculator 

This is not exactly a hidden feature, but it shows what you can do with a Google Search bar. 

Type any function into the search bar to automatically graph it. For example "y=3x+4" can easily be graphed using the Internet, sadly my TI-84 is becoming obsolete. Other math can be done here as well. For example type in "5*56+sqrt 144" and the answer will appear as a search result. 

For more calculator fun try these functions that create 3-D graphs. 

• cos(x) + cos(y)
• (sqrt(cos(x))*cos(400*x)+sqrt (abs(x))-0.4)*(4-x*x)^0.1 Copy and paste this one into a search bar to graph a heart. 
• Click on the graph and drag to manipulate the graph in 3-D space

Unit Converter

Unit converter is a part of calculator. Just type in any unit of measure to convert it to a different form. But be aware that it is impossible to convert galons to feet. Follow the examples below to get a feel for the unit converter.

• feet in furlongs
• miles in kilometers
• 3 galons in cups
• 2 watts in Newtons
• horsepower in donkeypower (yes, Google recognizes donkeypower) 
• beardsecond in lightyears (yes, the length a beard grows in one second)

Click on the "more about calculator" link to see some more cool ways to make calculator work for you and your students. 

Do the Harlem Shake (YouTube)

As most of us know Google owns YouTube so... Easter Eggs can be found here too.

In a regular YouTube Search bar type "do the harlem shake" and press enter. You must wait at least 45 seconds to get the full effect. 

The answer to life, the universe and everything 

Type "The answer to life, the universe and everything" into the search bar to find the answer!

Fun with vocabulary

Type these words in the Google bar to reveal some fun definitions that students could really learn from. 

• tilt
• askew
• zerg rush
• once in a blue moon

Bacon Number 

Kevin Bacon is in everything. He is in so many movies and tv shows that someone has made the game "the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon." The goal is to name an actor or famous person and try to deduct their Bacon number (the number of degrees of separation in which the subject appeared in a show with Kevin Bacon). For example, John Lithgow's Bacon number is 1. John Lithgow appeared in Footloose with Kevin Bacon. 

Just type "Bacon Number (name of famous person)" and low and behold the Bacon number appears. This is a great party game! The object is to get the largest Bacon number. It is harder than you think.

 For more fun and ideas on how to use Google in the classroom, please visit my website www.21learning.net and checkout my book Google Apps Meets Common Core