Mr. President......I have a question.

You may have watched the presidential press conference on Tuesday, March 24, 2009.  One of the questions that was asked on President Obama was with regard to stem cell research.  Click on the following link to read a transcript of the exchange between a reporter and President Obama on the subject of embryonic stem cell research.  Press Conference

You will have to scroll down quite a way to find the section.

Now,... based on what you read from the press conference, based on what you now know about cells in general and stem cells specifically, and based on your personal beliefs, what is your opinion on the use of stem cells.  You can go back and read what your wrote on your other blog question several months ago.  You opinion may have changed, but maybe not. 

Blog On !

It's Your Morning Wake-Up Call

GOOD MORNING !  

Think about the changes that occur in your body when you wake up in the morning - changes in your heart rate, in your breathing, and in the movements of your arms and legs.  

You will be posting to your own blog. (I hope you remember the settings you had !)

•  Describe in a blog entry some of the environmental and physical changes that you experience. 
  
•  Which organ systems seem to be involved?  
  
• What feedback loops might be working to make sure that the changes you experience do not become too extreme?
•  Then you must look as the postings of two of your classmates and comment on them.  You could agree, offer suggestions, or correct them if you feel they have made an error.

Please be considerate and follow web etiquette when posting.   Yes, of course, I will be reading them !

To Rap or Not to Rap ? ...That is the Question !

So,...  by now all of you are ready to sign on with a well known record label and see your rap career take off ! ! !

RRRiiiigggghhhhtttt..............

Well, my question is this.... Do you think that this assignment improved your knowledge and understanding of Photosynthesis?  If you think it did, why?  If you don't think it helped, why?

What were some of the advantages of the assignment?  What were some of the drawbacks?

Would doing a lab that demonstrates plants giving off oxygen have been more helpful to you personally?

Blog On !

Happy Thanksgiving THIS POST IS FOR EXTRA CREDIT

Hello Students,

It's the time of the year that most students refer to as ..."2 days off plus the weekend."  Some students feel like it's a day to stuff ourselves and let the TRYPTOPHAN take over.

But,... here's the thing... It's supposed to be a day to reflect on what we have to be thankful for.

Take a few minutes to tell me

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR ?  PERSONALLY AND GLOBALLY ?

Tell me about it.

SCIENCE "FAIR" PROJECTS........ Are they really fair?

The dates will be soon approaching when your applications to SYNOPSYS are due.  Are you ready?  Have you started this process?  Are you secretly hoping that it will magically come together...somehow?

During this process have you really learned anything?

Here is a website that may be helpful in deciding how to carry out a successful science fair project .  

Today's question is... DO SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS ACTUALLY HELP "TEACH" SCIENCE?

STEM CELL....SCHMEMM CELL

So,.... There has been considerable debate over stem cells and stem cell research.  What are stem cells and why is their use so controversial?

Watch the following video from CNN to see one practical aspect of using stem cells.

If you still need some background info you can use the STEM CELL TUTORIAL link to gather information about stem cells.  It's a tutorial so you will have to "click " your way through it.  The information is explained in the first tab Stem Cells Defined.  But feel free to go through the entire tutorial to understand the definition, history, uses, and controversies regarding this technology.

So the question I would like you to reply to is....

IS THE USE OF STEM CELLS A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING ?  PICK A SIDE !