Plasticity Lab Conclusion

In green science we did a lab activity on plasticity. Plasticity is a state in which the earth's mantle is in and that is when there is extreme pressure and heat it is a solid. Yet, when it relived of some of that pressure it becomes a hot gooey liquid. The lab activity included corn starch, a small amount of water, and a spoon. We first put a quarter cup of corn starch in then the water and stirred. As it joined together it was becoming more of a solid yet still a liquid. Then, each member of our lab group took a handful and rolled it around in their hands to demonstrate the extreme pressure on the earth's mantle. As, it was rubbed around it became a solid but when you stopped rubbing it became a gooey liquid. All in all, this lab was a fun actvity which clearly demonstrated the plasticity of the earth's mantle.

October Sky Response

In school recently the Omega unit watched the movie "October Sky". Now I am going to type a long response for science so please try to learn. IN the movie there are two major connections to science/math and this years character education traits. Firstly, the movie was about the boys aspiring to make a rocket. What inspired the boys to build a rocket you may ask? Well the movie takes place during the 1950's when the Russians launched the first space satellite Sputnik. This satellite became a major crisis for the Americans cause the US tried to send satellites into space but failed. So naturally Americas greatest enemy, the Russians, had gained the upper hand on the US. Thus leading to the creation of NASA and a renewed effort to explore space. Yet, not only did it do this it helped Homer Hickim to cooperate with his two good friends and the rocket geek Quintin to build a rocket. Now they first, got books on rocket building. Rocket Science is probably the most difficult job to master. You need a strong understanding in physics, math, many different types of engineering, and flight. So, how in the heck would a group of teens from a coal mine town in Virgina be able to learn all that? Well, with enough determination you can overcome any obstacle which these boys certainly did by eventually building a working rocket that did not explode, unlike many of the other rockets they built. Which brings up a good point about exploding rockets. In part of the movie the four boys are arrested because it is believed that one of their rockets started a forest fire near where the boys shot off their rockets. Yet, Homer was able to prove that it was not their rocket by using math!!!! By using calculus he showed where his rocket landed and found it the day they shot it off. Now, the amazing thing is he learned that in a coal mine during his breaks. Now that's, showing some assertion because even though it seemed Homer had lost all hope of a future outside the mines he still stayed positive and eventually proved he could find a great future as a rocket scientist. All in all, the movie October Sky was a quality film with connections to science and a lesson about character education and to never stop pursuing your dreams no matter what.

Response to Angelman Syndrome

I have just read a blog about a genetic disease called Angelman Syndrome. It is a hereditary disease and is fatal. Symptoms include seizures, hyperactivity, hand flapping, sleep disorders, and movement and balance disorders. This disease inffects infants but science has been able to find ways to help the patient cope with their symptoms. It's truly amazing that patients with Angelman Syndrome are still able to live a long life. It gets extremely hard for them to cope sometimes but they still live their life to the fullest and that is very inspring. We can all learn a lesson about vauling our life and to be happy that we are lucky enough to live a normal life without those hardships.
http://babybblue14.blogspot.com

Tay Sachs Disease

Tay Sachs disease is a fatal genetic disorder discovered by ophthalmologist Warren Tay in 1881. It mainly infects infants of French, Canadian, Cajun, Eastern European and Ashkenazim Jewish descent. Yet, a child can only be infected if both of the parents are carriers of the disease. Tay Sachs is the effect of not enough activity of an enzyme called beta-hexosaminidase A. This enzyme controls the amount of a fatty tissue in the brain called ganglioside. Without the enzyme the ganglioside builds up in tissues and nerve cells in the brain that causes, firstly cherry-red spots in the eye. Then, deterioration of mental and physical abilities begins along with paralysis setting in. Other symptoms are blindness, deaf, losing the ability to swallow, dementia, seizures, and increased startle reflex to noise. There is absolutely no treatment for this disease, only anticonvulsants to control the seizures. Most of the money donated for Tay Sachs disease is gone to comforting the children who have it, because infected infants live to about the age of five. This disease is deadly and has no pattern. yes it is rare but it is still fatal and we need to vigorously search for a treatment otherwise many more infants well die.