Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Explain this joke....

and asks the bartender, "how much for a drink?" A neutrino walks into a bar

Email me an explanation for 5 pts extra credit on your next exam. Open to all classes. Due 10/3.

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/basic-space/2011/09/23/faster-than-light-neutrinos-show-science-in-action/

Is the universe expanding asymmetrically? | COSMOS magazine

Is the universe expanding asymmetrically? COSMOS magazine

6th, 8th, and 10th grades ONLY:

For 10 pts extra homework credit, email me a paragraph explaining to me how this might effect the laws of physics as we know them. Due by Monday, 10/3

Monday, September 19, 2011

Need some artificial blood vessels?

Just print them out on your handy 3d printer! Amazing!

Do you have allergies?

Phylogenetic trees can help explain relationships between things to which you are allergic!

What if the moon didn't exist?

Sixth graders
Read this article and email me a paragraph detailing what the author thinks the earth would be like with no moon for 5 points extra credit towards your homework. Due by class on Friday, Sept. 23.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Scientists take first step towards creating 'inorganic life'

Scientists take first step towards creating 'inorganic life'

Would inorganic life still be living? Leave a comment telling me what you think and be prepared to defend your answer!

'Synthetic' chromosome permits rapid, on-demand 'evolution' of yeast; Artificial system has built-in diversity generator

'Synthetic' chromosome permits rapid, on-demand 'evolution' of yeast; Artificial system has built-in diversity generator

7th graders! Five extra credit homework points for any of you who can email me a paragraph describing what this article has to do with Thursday's lecture. Due by class on Monday.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Chemistry....



Remember this? For 5 points extra credit on your last exam, email a detailed paragraph explaining what I did and how it relates to the information in 3.2.

Due by class on Thursday.

Eighth graders....

Reading this article reminded me of something we learned about in chapter one.  Any ideas?

First correct receives 10 homework extra credit points!

For anatomy...

From a fascinating discussion on the ethical considerations of transhumanism:

"Transhumanism as a philosophy argues we can become better than human through technology. Unguided, natural evolution has done all it could hope to do. Transhumanists believe that from here on out, humans should take up the reins and craft the evolution of our species using nanotech, genetics, pharmaceuticals, and augmentations to go above and beyond our biology."


.....issues that will be at the forefront of your generation's struggle to integrate and understand science, technology and society.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Greatest bar/bat mitzvah present...

.....ever!!!

7th graders!

Autotrophic extremophiles are in the news!

Anatomy Extra Credit

Email me a detailed description of how the study of anatomy is used in this research to help scientists better understand human evolution.

Due by 9/14/11

NASA Launches Mission to Study Moon From Crust to Core

NASA Launches Mission to Study Moon From Crust to Core

Even though the shuttles are shuttered, scientific work proceeds.

Extra Credit Opportunity



For 7th, 8th, and 9th grades:

Post as a comment 3 detailed paragraphs that explain:
  1. what was being researched
  2. how the research was conducted
  3. what the research means - the "big picture"
Due by 9/16/11

Friday, September 2, 2011

From a flat mirror, designer light: Bizarre optical phenomena defies laws of reflection and refraction

From a flat mirror, designer light: Bizarre optical phenomena defies laws of reflection and refraction

Eighth graders: post a three paragraph response to this article using the 3R format for 10 points extra credit on today's exam score. Due by Wednesday, Sept. 7.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Chemistry Extra Credit - 10th graders only!

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/333924/title/Fighting_flames_with_greener_materials

Please post detailed summary of and response to this article by Tuesday, September 6th for 10 pts extra credit towards your UP score.