Blog 18: Article

       “Scientists Find 3 New Species in ‘Lost World’ "

                                          -  Time Magazine 

               Noah Rayman, of Time magazine, published an article on October 28, 2013. The brief article, “Scientists Find 3 New Species in ‘Lost World’ ”presents to the public their discovery of a newly created “world” found in a mountain range located on Cape York Peninsula (situated on the northern tip of Queensland, Australia). On this very mountain rage is where the scientists have found a total of three new different types of vertebrate species, as announced on Monday by a university called James Cook. The Boulder-strewn rainforest was said to be the home of these lately uncovered species. Classified as a skink, a gecko (species of a lizard), and a frog, these creatures have fallen under the category of being “highly distinct”, as said by Rayman. Professional herpetologist and curator of reptiles and frogs, Patrick Couper also announces that the species found have been the most unique out of those that have reached his desk in his long, twenty-six year career. These interesting new creatures will soon be documented and posted in the monthly issue of Zootaza: a reviewed journal for animals.  One may never know how many other hidden species, that have not yet been discovered, lay in the depths of the Earth.

Blog 17: Prompt

 To what extent do our schools serve the goals of a true education ?

What is education? Education might be science, Math, English or it could be things like politics, current events, and even manners and etiquette. Schools play an important role in teaching students and providing them with the education and knowledge they need. But is knowledge in subjects like math and history more important than being educated in etiquette, manners or simply just being polite? School is a big part of a child’s life; however their home, family and environment all play a role that is just as important. If a child does not come from a stable and healthy lifestyle at home, and they attend a public school, then their school fails to provide knowledge of things around them in their everyday lives such as, buying a house, learning how to apply to colleges or getting  jobs. This is when the controversial question is raised. To what extent are schools serving the goal of true education? Some may easily say that schools teach children all they need to know to all extents. Others may argue that there are a lot of things schools have a lack of. All in all, schools should consider adding classes that help students develop social skills, and focus less on the material that is being covered.

Blog 16: Article

“Satellite Photos Show the Appalling Extent of China’s Air Pollution”

                                              -Time Magazine

 

 

 On the twenty fifth of October 2013 someone, whose name is not specified, from Time Magazine published an article called “Satellite Photos Show the Appalling Extent of China’s Air Pollution”. The intriguing article discusses severe air pollution in the city of Harbin: the capital and largest city of a province located in China's northeast region. Earlier this week, much of the residence living in the northeast area experienced “horrific air pollution”, as Time called it. A tremendous amount of smog was created due to the burning of fire, for heat on the first, few, cold days of the fall season. Conditions were so severe, that children were sent home, highways were closed and hospital admissions soared. The Chinese people were forced to wear masks to protect themselves from the dangerous and deadly white smog that was wafting through the air.The article provides a clear picture, taken by a NASA satellite on the twenty first of October, of how China was covered in smog. If china does not cut down and decrease their high percentages of coal combustion, then there will be no doubt that this situation can become vastly worse. It is important to be aware of things not only going on in one’s country, but also around the world. Knowledge of a countries whereabouts can only help and lead the way to preventing future dangers.

Blog 15: Article

"I Don't Think You're Ready For This Yeti"

                         - Time Magazine

Noah Rayman of Time magazine published the article, “I Don’t Think You’re Ready for This Yeti”, on the seventeenth of October 2013. In this interesting and unique article, Rayman educates and informs the audience about a rumored animal that might be real, due to certain studies that have been done. The whispered Himalayan beast, which is also referred to as the Yeti, could be related in some way to the living species of polar bears, according to a British scientist. This scientist, through his conducted research, “…found a DNA match between alleged Yetis and an ancient polar bear.”, as Rayman wrote in the article. Rayman also includes a few words said by the Oxford University genetics professor, Bryan Sykes. “I think this bear, which nobody has seen alive…may still be there and may have quite a lot of polar bear in it.” Sykes, of Oxford, had also conducted a test himself regarding DNA from hairs of two unidentified animals that have added to the myth. One was a beast which is killed by hunters in India, and the other one was a single hair found in a bamboo forest in Bhutan. After submitting the genetic information into an animal data base, Sykes found a hundred percent match to an ancient polar bear jawbone found in Norway that goes back a few thousand years.

                All this new information found day by day through scientists truly challenges one in understanding all that the Earth has to offer and what new secrets it may hold.

Blog 14: Article

"Astronaut Scott Carpenter is Dead At 88"
                    - Time  Magazine

        On October 10, 2013, Time magazine published an article written by Charlotte Alter. In the informative and descriptive article, “Astronaut Scott Carpenter Is Dead At 88”, Alter reviews Carpenter’s successes and accomplishments. “…Scott Carpenter, [was] one of the two remaining astronauts from NASA’s Mercury program and the second American to orbit the earth, died Wednesday at the age of 88.” as Alter wrote. New York Times had also added that when Carpenter passed on the tenth of October, his family did not specify the reasons for his death. However,. before this tragic incident he had been under hospice care due to a stroke that had occurred previously.  In addition to his numerous accomplishments, as not only an astronaut but also an aquanaut-one who remains under water for quite a while to do research studies-, Carpenter was a part of NASA’s first project. The goal was to send a manned aircraft into orbit with the Earth. As a part of this mission, Carpenter served as the back up astronaut for John Glenn. Aside from this, Scott Carpenter was also an author of many books he published about his journey and experiences. It is truly amazing to learn about someone who as done so much to contribute to the field of astronomy. One should appreciate individuals like Scott Carpenter, even when they are not around anymore.  

Blog 13: Presentation reviews

Nicole’s and Ellen’s PowerPoint presentation that was given last week was indeed exquisite. Every aspect it included, from the topic to the slide designs were fascinating. Their production presented Margaret Sanger’s speech, “The Children’s Era”. Sanger’s speech discussed her views on legalizing birth control, obviously displaying her pro-birth control opinions. This effective and persuasive speech successfully covered all aspects of SOAPST as well as included all three claims. The speech had a classical oration structure; however a Toulmin model was also able to be made due to the flexibility of the speech. Aside from the argumentative techniques Sanger used, she also included literary devises such as anaphora and metaphor. Referring back to Nicole’s and Ellen’s actual presentation, they indeed did justice to Sanger and her speech with their presentation. The slides were lengthy, informative, and they sure delivered during the verbal discussion. They had wonderful knowledge of the topic and maintained a decent amount of eye contact with the audience. Even though they included some pictures, a few more would have made their project even more vibrant. Out of all eight or so presentations that were given, this particular project made one think the most. The topic displayed was one, which most people can relate too. It is an important topic frequently discussed in today’s day. Well done, Ellen and Nicole!