Response BLog to October Sky

Today, some 125 students watched the movie "October Sky", I was one of them. It's a very interesting story about a boy, Homer H. where he is in high school and he becomes intrigued by the works of rockets. With three other school friends, they continuously try and try to make a rocket. There was a lot of connections to make and facts to state, such as dangers like coal mining increases the chance of cancer. This is due to all that time of breathing in the cold air. Also, there is a chance that the coal mine might explode or collapse and you'll die or get stuck. In this movie, Sputnik and the Russians were also mentioned, the whole thought of making a rocket was actually based on the Sputnik that was visible to Homer and the town for a small portion of time. It was a very big deal to everyone back then because it was the first successful satellite, and many got to see it while it was boosted into space. Math was the "base" of the story because nothing could've happened without it. Math was used to calculate the needs and power of the rocket, and it was even used to prove the boys innocence in the cause of a fire. It took a lot cooperation, responsibility, and patience for the boys to finally dominate the conflicts of getting a rocket to fly. Yet there was also many traits that weren't showed in certain people like self-control, when one of the boys fathers beat him because he was crafting the rocket. And there was no respect in Homer's dad's eyes because he wanted Homer to follow in his footsteps as a miner. Another interesting fact is that this story took place in a town that was completley owned by the coal mining company.

Response Blog to Tay Sachs Disease!

I just finished reading about a disturbing disease called "Tay Sachs" disease from "Saints Are The Best"'s blog. It's very interesting yet so horrible. You know that you have Tay Sachs disease if you have a red spot in your retina, or in other words, the back of your eye. Anyone that gets it isn't "scheduled" to live longer than 10 yrs. If you have it as a baby, you won't live past 4, and if you get it between 2 years of age and 12, you'll die before 16. This occurs because there is an absence of Hex-A, a fatty substance, or lipid that's called GM2 ganglioside. The worst part is that there is no treatment or cure! I feel very surprised that this disease isn't even well-known throughout the world, especially when 1 out of every 250 people will get it. I believe that we should nationally aware people on diseases like this, and try to end it.

Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease is a very serious and now common disease amongst people. It's so scary that something so horrible would have so many symptoms! Symptoms are such of Abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, stomach upset, joint pain, weight loss, muscle cramps, stunted growth(in children), general weakness and fatigue, vitamin, mineral, and nutritional deficiencies. Fortunately, some people don't have ANY symptoms at all, but you never know when you might develop one. Those that have the disease but don't experience any symptoms must still be careful because of the fact that there is an increased mortality rate in victims with Celiac disease that is about two to four times that of the general population! It's a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients. What once started as a rare child-hood disease, it is now known as a genetic disorder. It's quite common all around the world but mainly in Europe. 1 in every 133 people have Celiac disease in the USA, 1 per 122 in Northern Ireland, and 1per 100 in Western England. It's interesting how long ago Celiac disease was discovered and that we still don't have any cure, it was discovered by a man named Aretaeus of Cappadocia in the 1st century. Thankfully there is a treatment, a gluten-free diet for the rest of your life. It's easy to remember, but hard to deal with because gluten is found in so many different foods. This is especially hard on children because they'd never get to experience some types of food. Something that needs to be remembered to find a cure is that the diagnosis of celiac disease requires finding characteristic changes in small intestinal biopsy, together with clinical and/or histologic improvement on a gluten-free diet. It's sad to know that there are diseases out there like this one, but good to know that people are definitely working to eliminate it. I strongly feel that we should concentrate more money, time, and energy into finding cures for the unfortunate people that are stuck with this disease.

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/
http://www.csaceliacs.org/library/howsandwhys.php
http://www.celiacdiseasecenter.columbia.edu/A_Patients/A03-WhatAre.htm

S.S. Wood Chipper Incident

Did you know there was a death of an innocent man at a recycling companies building? Well, the death was reported about 12 noon on Tuesday. All this took place in Edison, and police/authorities finally wrapped up the case with saying it was an accident where "Henry Aguilar", 31, was taking some wood up on a converyor belt or so; and then went with the wood into the chopper. It's very unfortunate that things like this happen. Not only that, but he was living in New Brunswick, and his parents were all the way back in their homeland of Honduras. It is expected/guessed that this was all an accident. Though I don't have more info to offer, I think it's important that people know of what's happening around them, and that you're always aware of the enviornment you are in.

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/middlesex/index.ssf?/base/news-4/123562605448140.xml&coll=1

My Roller Coaster Website

Free Fallin'

Roller Coaster Project

This week in science, we grouped ourselves with four other partners, and our groups started building either a skate park or roller coaster(all the groups in yellow science chose a roller coaster.) We used supplies collected for almost the past 3 months consisting of toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, cardboard rolls, and boxes. My teacher supplied most of the boxes and all the tape for keeping the project together! In order to obtain these items and objects, you would have to use "Omega Money". A student would be awarded with Omega money when a student does something good, helpful, or honorable. Anyway, we have to include hills, and loops in the track/project to show how momentum and Newton's three laws is applied; and instead of an actual skateboard or train, we would use a marbel. The project hasn't ended yet so I don't know if my group's project is successful, but so far we've had ups and downs of the roller coaster.

Reflection, Refraction, & Defraction Lab Response

Last week, we did a little project where we had to complete a packet with about 10 stations. At these stations, either reflection, or refraction was shown. Some examples of the reflection stations are, at one of those stations, you would most likely have a mirror or obviously something to be reflected back into your eyes. At stations such as refraction, there might be something to do with a liquid, and how the light is bent through the liquid, or how the light travels through it... in this case, a strong and excellent example of refraction is when you put an item such as a pen in a half full cup of water. But you wouldn't see the pen where you expect it to be, because the light is refracted (bent) through the water to show you the image a little bit off of where the actual object is. It was quite interesting to learn about reflection, and refraction because you basically have seen it your whole life, but never knew why it happened or what it was.

Social Studies Local C.E.-SB FOOD PANTRY

This week in South Brunswick, a report and studies show that becuase of poeple losing their jobs, they need help. We all know what that means right? Food Pantry! Word is trying to be spread to let others know to do their share and donate some food to the food pantry. Here in South Brunswick about 40 families in 2008 have used the Pantry becuase they have no other choice! It is important that we take care of each other, becuase if not, we might not even live becuase of hunger. Some people are very generous and go almost everyday to drop off a WHOLE BOX of canned goods; But the Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf also said that diapers, disposable utensils, and canned meats are also needed. Last year, in 2008, about $73,000 was spent on gift cards and services needed! Donations for 2009 are pretty strong for right now, but the Pantry could always use more. I think it's important that we all pitch in,becuase if everyone put one item in, it equals a lot for those families.

centraljersey.com

Social Studies Current Blog

As we all know, Obama was sworn into his new office on January 20th, 2009! There's a lot to know about the Inauguration of Barrack Obama, but these pointers are most helpful. A "Presidential Inauguration" is "an event that's about as close to a royal coronation as American government gets". In other words, it's so important to some, and hopefully all, that nothing can ruin the day. It's a day full of ceremony, guards, salutes, parades, speeches, a "ball"(party), and symbolism: of new beginnings, rites of passage, and of course change. Now, there is usually something at an Inauguration that sparks a light in people, what makes someone say, "Hey, you're right!" In this case, Obama's somewhat of a speech, "We need change!" is also close to JFK's most famous speech, "Ask not what not what your country can do for you... ask what you can do for your country"
-It's quite amazing that we are living through this one-in-a-life-time moment where Barrack H. Obama is the 44th, First Black President of the United States! But did you know there were hours of practice to make sure that everything was flawless? There was so much practice! Like there were actually other people dressed up to resemble Obama, George W. Bush, Obama's wife, Joe Biden and others expected on the stage, just all because of possible terrorist threats. Did you even notice the glass in front of the select people sitting up front on the Capitol steps? This is all precocious steps that are actually necessary. It's important that we don't get carried away on days like these. But luckily everything went well, except for Obama when he stuttered when reciting the oath! After a long day of practicing and dressing up... "As the sky over the Capitol grew light, cannons boomed, military bands played marching music", Obama finished the last words of the oath, finally it was all done! History was made on January 20th, 2009. Imagine how you would feel if you were a black in the '50's, not even, let's say the 60's. you would get beaten up, and some even died, some walked juxtaposition from Martin Luther King; And you could look only 50 years into the future and see the first Black man to be elected President. I truly do believe Obama is right when he said, "We need Change" and he's definitely brought it to us!

Nintendo Wii Fit is Healthy

New studies show that the Nintendo Wii can be a big help with increasing physical activity. Researchers say that since the Wii always requires at least some movement regardless of the Wii Fit or the Wii and requires some energy of the body, that it could help an individual maintain a healthy lifestyle. This is so because even bowling(little movement required) leads to using body energy. Though you can't successfully play games in small indoor places, all Wii Fit games follow basic principles to exercise programs; like having goals, and tracking those physical goals.
"I think there is a great potential to develop ways to promote physical activity through technology," said David Dzewaltowski, professor and head of the department of kinesiology at K-State and director of the university's Community Health Institute. This Wii Fit is also good to people of all ages especially useful for elders, because if it's too cold or too hot outside, the seniors can use this handy-system for their daily exercise!

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090106181733.htm

Butterfly Lab Response

In Yellow science class last week, all the students made butterflies and colored them so that they would camouflage into the classroom. We timed a predator(teacher) to come in and try to find them wherever they were hidden. Most of the butterflies were found in time, but some like mine was never found. There were four rounds, the first two were in normal classroom light, the 3rd one was in the dark, and the last one we had to hide the butterflies out in the open! It was entertaining to see the "predator" running around trying to find the last of the butterflies; especially when I hide mine on the back of the door that the predator came through!

Symbiotic Relationships Response

In yellow science class, I learned about symbiotic relationships and how they are important. There are three types of the symbiotic realtionships. The first one is mutualism, a mutualism relationship is where both the organisms benefit from the realtionship. For example, a human and pet dog both benefit because the dog has proper shelter, food, and the right enviornment; and the human gets a trustworty companion out of it. The next type of relationship is commensalism, this relationship is where only one organism benefits, and the other one is unharmed, basically a neutral. An example is a hawk which rests on a branch, the branch is unharmed, and the hawk gets a break. The last relationship is parasitism, this is where one benefits, and the other organism is harmed, bothered, or affected health wise. Fleas on a dog would be a perfect example because the fleas benefit from having somewhere to live; but unfortunatley, if the dog itches too much, it could get an infection through all those scratches. Though there are ups and downs to these relationships, it is important to the everyone and everything because these realtionships are how some organisms live, some remain the same, and some don't.

The "World's Most Relaxing Room"

Professor Richard Wiseman is a Phsychologist who has designed a large-scale multi-media space that is supposed to calm you down. Your mind gets soothed by starting out laying on soft matting, and your head on lavender-scented pillows. Then green lights surround you, trying to give you that environmental feeling. A specially composed soothing soundtrack will start to play, and then you're looking at an artificial blue sky. The point of this room is to relieve you of all your stress. Such as students that are stressed about all their exams, and the financial crisis for the adult. Some research suggests that the blue sky creates a mild form of deprivation that helps to distract the people from all their stress.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020192707.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020192707.htm

Surfing The Web Helps?

New studies show that adults middle-aged or over, could increase their brain function by surfing the web. Scientists suggest that if they read a certain subject, it triggers that category that it goes under; and getting your brain more active leads you towards better decision-making. For example, if your reading something about the weather, then it would trigger the memory of weather in the past, and natural disasters. Scientists say that several functional changes occur, including atrophy, and reductions in cell activity; but keeping your brain active by staying online and thinking up topics to search preserves their brain's health. Studies also show that playing simple video games with their grandchildren, or even doing crossword puzzles will help.

source: www.ScienceDaily.com
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081014111043.htm

Math Is...

Math is way more important to me now then it was last year because I've learned so much. Like percents, decimals, mean, median, mode, scientific notation, finding variables, graphs, inequalities, solving for x, fractions, probability, and much more. And what's good about all this is that I could apply it to real life situations where I don't have a calculator. An example would be percent increase and decrease. If I need to find out 20% of some clothes or something, I would be able to quickly and mentally figure out how to do it, then solve it. Also, I'm not so good with finding the area, but after all the hard work, I understand it much more now and am prepared for next year.

EC: Falling Snow

Falling Snow

See the pretty snowflakes
Falling from the sky.
On the walk and housetops
Soft and thick they lie.

On the window-ledges
On the branches bare:
Now how fast they gather,
Filling all the air.
Look into the garden,
where the grass was green;
Covered by the snowflakes,
Not a blade is seen.

Now the bare black bushes,
All look soft and white,
Every twig is laden—
What a pretty sight!

Author Unknown

The Weather is used to help explain a beautiful sight. The poem no longer is just a poem, it seems more because it includes weather. In this case, snowflakes are used in the poem, so the time of the year would be Winter. I would say that the poem might not seem as descriptive, because it is more creative to use weather. Rhyming is used in the poem to put a catchy tune to it. And, a lot of descriptive words are used which explain a lot more. The poem doesn't further my knowledge about weather except for making me realize that there is a lot more to think about when weather occurs. Like, just thinking of how everything looks different or feels different.

Kites

Over the past few days,I have learned some very important facts about kites and how they fly in class. we discussed that because of the kites unique shape, it can fly. Because a kite is so light, it can easily be lifted to flight. But what exactly lifts the kite? Wind does, in fact wind helps with many other objects and items. In this case, the wind is so strong that it controls the kite, except for the fact that you have a string attached to it. But what makes the wind? Simply, the different temperatures and air pressures of the atmosphere causes convection currents. Convection Currents move the air around which makes the kite move. As you can see, there is a lot to learn about kites and how they fly.

Arctic Tale Class Response

In Science class, we watched a movie on how we might be affecting polar bears, walruses
and more. It showed how over time, the ice is melting more than usual. This is called Global Warming, its like a greenhouse effect. All the species,could go extinct because there is nofood they could get to, or at all. For example, the melting of the ice decreases the amount of space for the polar bears to walk on. And even though polar bears can swim, not very long. Its already hard enough to find food in the Arctic, when you have little room, it makes it way more harder. Remember,global warming also affects the walruses, because they use the ice to rest on and get away from danger. But with little ice, they barely get rest. And ice is where the walruses hide underneath. Now they don't have anywhere to hide. As you can see, Global warming has a great effect on many animals, and we could do a little to help.