Week 16 - Science Toys: What Will You Make?

 

As winter break is rounding the corner, it is time to figure out and discuss what homemade scientific toy you will be making over the break.  For some ideas, visit the following website: http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/.  Also, check out YouTube videos for step-by-step directions of how to make your homemade scientific toy.
 
The toy I decided to make this year is a giant water prism.  Not only will these be exciting to build, but it will be beautiful and hysterical to look through in the end too!!!  I can hang these prisms outside on my porch and watch the different way in which light passes through/reflects, and I can also use these to look at the ways in which it changes people's faces in funny ways! 

So, this week I want you to conduct some research about what science toy you plan on making over winter break.  Discuss why you made this decision, what function the toy serves, and where you found the directions.  Try to include pictures, as well!
In addition to this initial post, respond to your classmates' posts, as well.  Provide feedback, elaborate on ideas, and share experiences if you have made something similar in the past.  I look forward to hearing about all of your ideas and can't wait until you bring them into class after the break!

Week 15 - Touch Senses: Can it be Artificial?

The next unit we will move on to involves our senses.  While we focus on the signals being sent to and from the brain, the pathways they take, and the senses involved, this week's blog is going to go in depth about a new scientific study that can have a tremendous impact on the future of humans.  This week's reading discusses a new experiment that proves electrodes implanted in the brain can send signals that make a monkey think its finger has been touched.  As a result, this experiment suggests ways to build artificial hands or arms for humans that restore a feeling of touch to users.

"In this study, the scientists implanted electrodes — small devices that can detect or relay an electrical signal — into the animals’ brains.  Then they trained the monkeys to look in a certain direction whenever a particular finger was touched.  The electrodes took notes of the animals’ brain activity during that touch.  The scientists used the electrode data to identify which brain cells, called neurons, had become active.  Then the scientists used the implanted electrodes to zap those same neurons, which caused the monkeys to react as though their finger had been, when it really wasn't.  Overall, this experiment is trying to mimic natural signals in the brain" (Ornes, 2013).

Okay, with this being one of the most interesting articles discussed in a blog throughout this year, I am especially expecting the posts this week to be exceptional!  There is no doubt that the sense of touch is crucial to every day tasks.  People without it may have difficulty cracking an egg, lifting a cup or even turning a doorknob.  That’s why restoring this sense is a major goal for designers of artificial limbs.  Knowing this, you are required to post two substantive posts this week and respond to your classmates.  Answer the following in two separate posts:

1) Finish reading the article and conduct some research on this topic.  After doing so, discuss whether you believe this experiment will eventually be successful.  Do you think it will ever work?  Or do you think working in monkeys is the closest this idea will get to humans?

 

2) Imagine that these findings become successful in working for humans missing limbs or senses.  Describe/predict the impact this will have on humans if so.  Do you think it would be affordable?  Would this discovery lead to similar devices for other senses?

I look forward to reading all of your responses and will definitely be a part of the discussion even more this week as this topic has spiked my interest!!!

Click Here to Read the Entire Article

Week 14 - The Smell of Fear: Is it Inherited?

Hi everyone, as we progress in our cell unit, we will touch upon genetics and how specific traits are inherited, etc.  In this week's blog, we are going to elaborate on this topic by discussing a new genetic discovery.  Scientists have just published findings of a recent study that provides evidence of a new genetic trait.  This specific study shows scents associated with terror may be passed on for two male generations.  "Scientists have shown for the first time that fear can be transmitted from a father to his offspring through his sperm alone in a ground-breaking study into a new kind of genetic inheritance" (Connor, 2013).

 

This specific study experimented on mice and demonstrated that they can be trained to associate a particular kind of smell to a fearful memory.  It also discovered that this fear can be passed down through subsequent generations via chemical changes to a father’s sperm cells.  Therefore, these new findings raise questions over whether a similar kind of inheritance occurs in humans.  Connor (2013) provides an example of "whether men exposed to the psychological trauma of a foreign war zone can pass on this fearful behavioural experience in their sperm to their children and grandchildren conceived at home."

 

As the article progresses, different scientists and researchers agree that while these results are encouraging, more careful mechanistic studies of animals is needed before associating such finding with humans.  Therefore, you have two main tasks for this week's blog.  First, read the article and respond with your thoughts in a blog post.  Second, create a possible experiment that can be the next step in testing these findings.  This experiment should be outlined in a discussion post, as well as mention how the results would impact human genetics.

 

Click Here to Read the Article

Week 13 - Bacteria Cells: Do They Age?

Hi class, since we are continuing to focus our attention on cells, specifically bacteria, I thought it would be great to start this week off with a debate about whether or not bacteria cells age.  We have already learned last week that when a bacterial cell divides into two daughter cells, those two cells divide into four more daughters, then 8, then 16 and so on.  Well, the result of this cell division has led to biologists assuming there will always be an eternally youthful population of bacteria.  Therefore, according to this article, in a way, scientists believe that bacteria, in other words, don't age...at least not in the same way all other organisms do.

This article does a great job at establishing an internal debate, because it goes on to describe the thoughts of other scientists.  "Others conclude that not only do bacteria age, but that their ability to age allows bacteria to improve the evolutionary fitness of their population by diversifying their reproductive investment between older and more youthful daughters" (Science Daily).

This is where all of you come in.  For this week's blog, you will click the link below and read the entire Science Daily article, paying close attention to both sides of the argument.  After reading the article, conduct some research in this area and chose a side that you believe is correct (either bacteria don't age OR they do age).  Post your thoughts, opinions, and supporting research in a post throughout this week.  Then defend your ideas as your classmates try to prove you wrong. 


Click Here To Read The Article

Week 12 - Cell Division: Is A Biological Clock Used?

This week we move on to our cell unit.  One of the main concepts we will discuss is cell division.  One of the greatest ways to demonstrate this process is to watch videos of live cellular division.  The video we will watch in class this week is of a bacteria cell dividing.  The reason we are discussing this in the blog is because there is an article that was just published that has evidence that cell division depends on a biological clock.

This discovery would be very tremendous in the scientific world because this idea was never thought of before.  We all know how essential a biological clock is for humans.  It plays a role in whether we gain or lose weight, when we fall asleep or wake up, how we respond to certain illnesses, etc.  Well, it seems that cells are just as dependent on this biological clock, as well!

"A team of biologists has unraveled the biochemistry of how bacteria so precisely time cell division, a key element in understanding how all organisms from bacteria to humans use their biological clocks to control basic cellular functions" (Science Daily).

Therefore, further studies in this area could apply to human problems that result from disorders in the biological clock, circadian clock, etc.  So, what I would like you all to do this week is research specific human disorders that are caused by or affected by these biological clocks, circadian clocks, etc.  Discuss this disorder and make a prediction about the impact this bacteria cell division knowledge could have on it.  Would it be positive, negative, and explain why.  Support your prediction with scientific evidence.


Click Here To Read The Article

Week 11 - Global Warming: Are Humans The Only Ones To Blame?

As we move onto the environmental unit, we will begin covering environmental problems and solutions.  One of the first topics we will discuss is global warming.  As mentioned in class, global warming is by far the most significant and dangerous environmental issue the world is currently facing.  For the past 2 centuries or so, researchers, scientists, and environmental experts have singled out humans as the sole cause for this global warming problem.  However, are humans the only ones to blame?

New evidence has emerged which proves that cosmic rays are the main cause of global warming.  According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, cosmic rays are thought to derive from supernovas (explosions of distant stars) which results in an increased number of clouds in the atmosphere.  This increase in clouds, in turn, reflects rays back into the atmosphere.  However, although there is significant research conducted, this theory is still somewhat new and very few people have taken this issue seriously.  So, I want to know what you think.

However, before you can post your thoughts and opinions, you must conduct research of your own.  First, read the article provided below and then find evidence to support these claims.  Include sources and references in your posts.  Defend your arguments and support classmates' evidence, if it applies.  Overall, you should either agree with this theory or disagree (no in-between status) and prove why you made this decision. 

Global Warming Article: Click Here to Read

Week 10 - Digital Stories: Any Ideas?

 

Hey class!  This week we will be beginning our digital stories.  Your job is to choose ONE topic we have learned about so far and create a digital story that teaches others about this concept.  Before you post to this discussion, I want you to complete some research first.  Visit the following three websites and watch some examples of digital stories.  As you do so, write down any ideas or information that sparks your mind! 

1) http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/example_stories.cfm

2) http://mcli.maricopa.edu/storytelling

3) http://www.schrockguide.net/digital-storytelling.html

If you came across any additional websites during your research, please share them in your post.  Out of your research, I want you to post one explanation/description of your favorite digital story that you came across.  Describe what it was about, the entertaining features, what program was used, if text was used, what kind of visuals were created, and any other technical aspects you discovered.  This is to help ignite some creative ideas you and your classmates may have!

Your second post for this week will be about your initial ideas for a digital story.  After reading your classmates' posts and viewing many examples, discuss what program you are leaning towards using to create and narrate your digital story.  Explain the technical side, but also the academic side.  At this point, you should have a concept in mind and may just need to tie it to a theme, etc.  Please provide feedback to your classmates and I look forward to hearing all of your creative ideas!!!

Week 9 - Online Games and Simulations: The Future of Education?

Hi everyone, this week we will be using online games and simulations in order to learn about the three phases of matter.  Since it is very difficult to actually show you visible particles and how they separate, move, or condense in the classroom, simulations are an excellent way to bring this concept to life.  We will be using simulations to change different elements from a solid, liquid, and a gas.  You will use a simulation provided to "freeze" an element, "boil" an element, etc. 

So, with that being said, I thought it would be an excellent discussion topic to hear your thoughts about online games and simulations.  Many teachers believe that, with technology, these games and simulations are the future of education.  I also agree, because it allows teachers to demonstrate, teach, and bring certain activities/labs to the classroom that would otherwise be impossible.

Therefore, for this week's blog, I want you to visit the following site: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/new.  This website offers a ton of online simulations to choose from.  I want you to search through the science simulations and pick one to discuss.  Please do not use the phases of matter simulation being used in class.  You can compare simulations if you would like to discuss multiple ones, as well.  How do you think these simulations affect science classrooms?  Does it bring an added benefit?  Do you find that using simulations helps you understand the content better?  Or do you find that it makes learning more confusing?

After you have discussed your chosen online simulation and discussed the talking points above, I would like you to make an additional post about an online learning game you find to be helpful.  This game can be for any subject.  Also, this online game can be an app, as well.  Provide the name, website (if applicable), a description of the key features, and a reason why you find it so beneficial.

Week 8 - Gravity: To See or Not To See?

The newest hit movie, Gravity, has been described as "magnificent", "ground-breaking", "an absolute must-see", etc.  This movie, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, is about two astronauts and their journey in space.  Why discuss this movie in our blog this week?  Well, in this next unit, we learn about mass and weight, as well as why your weight changes from the Earth to the Moon, while your mass remains the same.  All of these features depend on gravity.  The gravitational pull is the reason why Earth remains in orbit, why we don't fly off the Earth, etc.

Therefore, in class this week, we will be viewing this movie.  Your assignment will be to take notes as you watch this movie.  In addition, you will be required to list 20 facts your hear.  Upon completion of the film, I want you to choose several of your favorite facts and perform research to see if these facts are true or if the movie had any errors in its script.  I understand that the descriptions of the movie above are opinions only.  While I do want to hear your opinions, I am more focused on hearing about all of the facts this movie contains and if any of these "facts" were actually incorrect.


It is amazing how much science has changed the world of media.  Not only is this movie about science, but the making of this movie wouldn't be possible without science, either.  There is so much science has affected, changed, and improved.  Therefore, I strongly believe that viewing this movie will not only be a great transition to our next unit, which is scientific technology, but it will show us how important and overlooked gravity truly is.

Post your thoughts, research, and findings throughout this week and be sure to comment on at least three of your classmates.  Please note, that your original posts should be factual and include your research.  If you would like to share your opinion, please do so on an additional post.

Week 7 - Science Fair Projects: Find Any Advice?

 

Now that you have all finalized your science fair project choice, we will begin working on them.  The first checkpoint is next week, in which you have to have your experimental design layout presented, as well as your experiment started.  I thought this week's blog would be most beneficial to discuss many helpful tips, pointers, and advice that experts share in regard to science fair projects.  Your task this week is to visit the following site:  http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_guide_index.shtml

After reading through this site, I want you to choose your top three pieces of advice that you have found.  You will share these tips during this week's blog.  Please note, if you use a different website, you must include the link to that website. 

In addition to this task, I also want you to ask an expert a specific question about your science fair project.  This can be done only through the Science Buddies website.  Share your question and the expert's response on this week's blog.  This will be the last blog dedicated to the science fair, so it is essential that you understand the many ways and resources you can use for help with your projects.  If you have any questions not specific enough for the experts, please feel free to ask them on here and we will all help each other out.

 

*This blog will remain open until the projects are complete, so any time you have a question you can ask it on here and it will be answered.

Week 6 - Science Fair Ideas: What Interests You?

Now that it's time to begin conducting research in order to develop a creative science fair project, I thought it would be appropriate to share an article about the Broadcom MASTERS competition. (MASTERS stands for Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars.)  If this sounds like something you would dream of being apart of, then it is important for you to understand how essential this science fair truly is. 

This year's Broadcom competition was won by an eighth-grader who researched “dancing” endangered tortoises. "River’s entry project described an unusual swaying behavior in an endangered species of tortoise.  The animals lived at a captive breeding facility where he volunteers.  In a project he called “The Rain Dance of the Radiata,” the teen observed how the tortoises rise up on their legs and sway back and forth whenever it rains.  At first, he thought the strange behavior might help the tortoises better avoid drowning during flash floods, which sometimes occur in their native Madagascar.  (It’s an island nation off Africa’s southeastern coast).  River conducted tests that disproved that notion." (Science News)

For this science fair, you will not only be creating an experiment, but you will also be conducting research, just like River Grace did, as well.  Therefore, during this week's blog, you are to begin researching ideas that you may want to focus on for your project.  Share your ideas, support it with a reason why, etc.  Also, if you come across any helpful tips, sites, or videos, feel free to post these as well.  By the end of the week, you will submit your final decision.

To read more about River Grace's project, as well as the Broadcom MASTERS competition, click the link below.

https://student.societyforscience.org/article/tortoise-studying-teen-takes-top-broadcom-prize

Week 5 - Frogs Hear Through Mouth: A Possible Impact on Human Hearing?

When learning about reptiles and specifically dissecting a frog, we learned that, unlike humans, frogs have no middle ear.  Well, without a middle ear, how does sound get transported to the inner ear so the frog can hear?

In order to figure that question out, several scientists created an experiment.  "To establish whether these frogs actually use sound for communicating with each other, the scientists set up loudspeakers in their natural habitat and broadcasted pre-recorded frog songs. This caused males present in the rainforest to answer, proving that they were able to hear the sound from the loudspeakers" (ScienceDaily).

After establishing that frogs could actually hear, many other tests confirmed that frogs hear sounds through their head with the mouth acting as the transporter.  Scientists currently believe this is possible due to adaptations of the frogs' tissue between its mouth and head.  Throughout history, they believe that the frogs' tissue eventually got thinner and thinner which has allowed them to hear through it.

After hearing about this discovery and the facts supporting it, do you think this will happen to other animals over time?  Explain your answer.  Also, if so, give examples of which animals you think this type of adaptation can occur in. 

Finally, there is no doubt that humans are always trying to invent new technology, improve health in many ways, etc.  Do you think that this discovery in frogs will impact human hearing in the future?  For example, do you believe that humans that can't hear may have surgery done to thin the tissue in their head?  Would this work?  Conduct some research to support your opinions and be sure to include these researched facts in your post.


Frogs Hear With Their Mouth: Click Here to Read

Week 4 - Dog's Mouth vs. Human's Mouth: Which is Cleaner?

This week we will be discussing the myth that has been around for centuries...a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's.  Although this myth has seemed to withstand the test of time...is there now evidence that will bust this myth?  The answer is yes!  Throughout our classes, we study bacteria, the different shapes it comes in, as well as the effects it can possibly have on living things.  At this same time, we have also been learning that our bodies need bacteria in order to survive.  Although some bacteria are bad, there are good/helpful bacteria that our bodies need, too.  Well, just like we need bacteria, so do our dogs.

In fact, the bacteria humans contain are completely different from that of a dog.  Therefore, according to the article below, scientific research has concluded that comparing the cleanliness of a dog's mouth to a human's mouth is just like comparing apples and oranges.  "Although there’s a vast overlap of bacteria in the mouths of both species, Harvey considers the question of which one is cleaner to be irrelevant because a) both are teeming with microbes, and b) in many cases, a dog’s dental bacteria differ from their human counterparts" (Jiang, 2012).

In addition, "One of the rumors related to the cleanliness of a dog’s mouth is the idea that human bites are more infectious than dog bites. However, this too doesn’t hold up to scrutiny...the danger of both human and dog bites depends on the kinds of bacteria in the mouth and the depth of the wound" (Jiang, 2012).  Therefore, do you believe this evidence will finally put this myth to rest?  Why or why not?

Now that we have this myth "busted", the article below mentions several interesting types of bacteria.  For example, Porphyromonas is a family of rod-shaped bacteria known for causing gum disease.  What is the scientific shape of this bacteria?  Research another type of bacteria, whether from humans or dogs, and describe the shape, cause, and side effects it may have.

Is a Dog's Mouth Cleaner Than a Human's?: Click Here to Find Out

Week 3 - Periodic Table: Will Changes Affect the World?

With our atom model projects coming up soon, I thought it would be extremely interesting to discuss the news just announced about the periodic table.  "The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) announced that they've approved new weights for the elements thanks to more precise measurements and better calculations of the abundance of certain isotopes (atoms of an element with different numbers of neutrons)" (Gannon, 2013). 

According to this article, the atomic weight has been changed for 19 elements.  Several of these elements include gold, fluorine, phosphorous, and aluminum.  Along with these more common elements, 15 additional elements also had their atomic weight changed.  So, why does this matter?  What do these changes affect? 

I want you to think about all that we have learned and discussed in class.  We know science is full of concepts that are all closely related to each other.  Do these changes to the periodic table only affect chemistry?  What other science topics and subjects does it affect?  Finally, do you think that these changes will require scientists to redo past experiments that relied strongly on the initial atomic weights?  Maybe there are scientific laws and theories that will be affected, as a result.  Research several related laws and theories and be sure to share your findings.

Periodic Table Article: Click Here To Read

Week 2 - Flu Vaccine: Worth the risk?

As we have studied in class, vaccines are used to protect us from certain illnesses and diseases.  In order for it to work effectively at protecting us, a vaccine injects us with certain parts of the actual disease.  For example, when we are babies, we get the chicken pox vaccine.  During this, we actually get injected with the chicken pox virus so our bodies can produce antibodies that fight off this virus in the future.  However, when a vaccine isn't fully developed, it can actually cause us to develop that very illness in which it is trying to protect us from.

In this regard, last flu season was considered one of the worst in the history of the United States.  How can that be now that we finally have a flu vaccine?  Well, it seems as though this vaccine is just not as developed as doctors thought it was.  In the NBC interview, they describe this flu vaccine as "a dismal failure among those who need its protection the most."  In fact, during this past flu season, over 49,000 Americans passed away from this horrific illness.  Also, the number of people hospitalized 65 years and older has been the highest amount recorded since 2005.  The truth is, statistics and facts don't lie.  This vaccine is only 56% effective on average.  Also, it is only 9% effective on people 65 years and older.

So, why take this vaccine at all?  In the NBC video, they provide an example of a doctor who has receieved the flu vaccine and ended up getting the flu anyway.  On the other hand, I have never had the flu vaccine and have never gotten the flu.  Yet, my three year old cousin received the vaccine this past flu season and ended up with a severe case of the flu two days after receiving the vaccination.  Although the current vaccine may be the best option at the moment and may work for some, it may also have drastic side-effects for others.  The bottom line is, there is no doubt that doctors and scientists need to develop a much more effective solution for the flu.  Until then, should people take the current vaccine?  Is it worth the risk?
 
NBC News Flu Vaccine Video: Click to View

Week 1 - Pollution: Will it ever stop?

Since we start off the school year learning about the environment, this week's article focuses on pollution.  Pollution comes in many forms, mainly categorized as land pollution, air pollution, noise pollution, and water pollution.  The ScienceDaily article, "Pollution", states, "Motor vehicle emissions are one of the leading causes of air pollution."  So, my main question is: Will pollution ever stop?  We have done years and years of research and have seen the consequences firsthand, yet statistics show that there are more vehicles on the road now than there ever was.  At this rate, the number of vehicles owned and driven in the United States alone, does not seem to be decreasing any time soon.  So I wonder, what will it take to reduce air pollution?  How many more people have to be diagnosed with "cancer, lupus, immune diseases, allergies, and asthma" before we make a change?  I know that a few electric cars have been developed; however, they are still in the process of being mastered.  Also, the cost is out-of-reach for everyone except the upper class. 

As a result, the Earth is going to lose precious years of existence, because pollution is causing global warming to reach an all-time high.  Do you think there will ever be an invention successful enough to prevent pollution completely?  If everyone can afford electric cars in the future, will this still make a large enough difference if we still have factories and businesses polluting the air?  So many factors go into pollution, the consequences it causes, and the ways to prevent it.  In the end, no matter what consequences occur (whether it is to the environment, animals, or humans) we have nothing and nobody to blame but ourselves.


Pollution Article: Click to Read