October Sky Blog

I recently watched the movie October Sky during class. This movie was about an underappreciated boy named Homer Hickem who must overcome challenges and obstacles to do what he wants to do, build rockets. In one part of the movie, Homer and his friends have to prove their innocence because they are falsely accused of starting a forest fire, due to one of their rockets. Homer and his friends shoot one of their rockets, and nearby on the same day, a forest fire is started. The police find an object that looks like a rocket near the site of the fire, and they blame Homer. However, Homer uses mathematical equations to prove to Mr. Turner (the principal of Homer’s school) and the police that his rocket could not have started the fire. Homer calculated the final location of the rocket and it was no where near where the object the found. Later, it is confirmed that it was a military flare that started the fire, set off at a nearby airport. A character education trait that was not shown in the movie towards Homer was respect. Homer was not shown respect by his brother and father, because they did not appreciate his academic pursuits. Homer was not shown respect by his brother Jim because Homer wanted to build rockets, and Jim thought football was all that mattered. He felt that Homer’s dream was a joke. Homer also was not respected by his father because his father did not “approve” of Homer’s dreams. Since Homer did not excel at football, his father thought that Homer should spend his life working in the coal mine. His father proudly went to all of Jim’s football games, but never to one of Homer’s rocket launches. I found this movie to be interesting and enjoyable, especially since it is based on a true story. It also delivers a very important message - Always follow your dreams, and listen to your heart since no one can choose your life for you.

Genetic Disorder Response Blog

After I completed my project on Down Syndrome, I took the time to look at other people’s blogs and I found a very interesting blog posted by silver star. Silver star’s blog was on the genetic disorder known as Patau’s Syndrome, and it was very descriptive and informative. I learned many facts regarding this genetic disorder; for example, I learned that this disorder is caused by three copies of chromosome 13. Also, I found out that one in every sixteen thousand fetuses is diagnosed with Patau’s Syndrome. People who are born with this disorder can have certain abnormalities including extra fingers or toes, heart defects, and incomplete eyesight, to name a few. Another bit of information I have learned while reading this blog was that people with Patau’s Syndrome die at a very young age. In fact, the oldest age that someone has lived when diagnosed with this disease is the age of 33. This is a very sad and upsetting disease, because I learned lastly a very sad fact. 82% of the infants who are diagnosed with Patau's Syndrome and survive birth die within the first month of their lives. This article was very informative and well organized, but it made me feel very sad. I was sad while I read this article because this made me aware of the worst disease I have ever known. I have never thought it would be possible that a disorder could be this severe. This article made me aware of this disorder, and I will now know that this disorder is out there. These types of disorders exist out there in the world, and we all should be more aware of all of them, and treat the people who have them with special care and respect.

Genetic Disorders Blog

As the amazing Omega year ends, I continue to enjoy the interesting topics I am studying in my science class. Currently, I am learning genetic disorders. For my genetic disorders project, my assigned genetic disorder was Down Syndrome. While researching Down Syndrome, I learned many different details about this disorder. One detail that I learned is that humans with Down Syndrome have one extra chromosome. This means they have 47 chromosomes, instead of 46, which is the normal amount of chromosomes. Another thing I learned about Down Syndrome is that as a woman gets older her chance of having a baby with Down Syndrome increases. Finally, the last detail that I will tell you about Down Syndrome is that 1 in every 800 children born in the United States is afflicted with Down Syndrome. Also, 1 in every 1,000 newborn children in the world is born with Down Syndrome. Apart from class, I have used the internet to learn about Down Syndrome information not required in the packet. One thing that I learned about Down Syndrome on the internet is that Down Syndrome is a condition that cannot be cured. People with Down Syndrome usually have lower IQs, slow motor development and delayed language development. However, they can lead normal and happy lives. The other thing that I have learned about Down Syndrome on the internet is that doctors can take a blood test on a baby to tell whether or not the baby has Down Syndrome. I learned this information at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/down_syndrome.cfm. I found this topic to be interesting. I learned so much of this genetic disorder, and I am more aware of it now. I will be sensitive towards the capabilities of people with Down Syndrome.

DNA Extraction Conclusion Paragraph

My science class recently completed a lab on extracting DNA. I extracted DNA from a plant cell. I added ingredients to the cells, such as detergent and alcohol. In order to get the ingredients to mix in well, I had to swirl the cell’s container gently. As I performed these steps, right before my eyes, I saw the DNA rise from the cell. The detergent gets rid of the fats/lipids, and the alcohol separates the DNA from the cell. My observations of this project are that when the DNA is separated, it looks gray and it looks like clouds. Also, I noticed that the cells were the color red, and they had a foul odor. I thought this lab activity was fun and informational.

Science Blog #8

Early on February 24, 2009, NASA experienced a devastating failure when a satellite attached to the tip of a Taurus XL rocket failed to separate from the rocket and fell in to the Pacific Ocean, near Antarctica. The Optical Carbon Observatory (OCO) was doomed by the very apparatus that was supposed to protect it. The clamshell shroud wrapped around the satellite to safeguard the satellite’s sensitive equipment did not automatically shed from the satellite upon entering the thickest part of the atmosphere. Therefore, the OCO did not get the boost that it needed to get into orbit, and fell into the Pacific Ocean, along with the rest of the Taurus XL rocket. This was truly a great loss to NASA because this satellite was to provide measurements on harmful gases, and how they are dispersed around the globe. This satellite was going to provide us with valuable information that could help diminish global warming. The Glory satellite, which is also meant to collect data about global warming, will be checked thoroughly before being launched in October on another Taurus XL rocket. This investigation will help avoid devastation like OCO.

In my opinion, I thought that this article was informative, and it provided details about a great loss for NASA. Rockets and satellites cost millions of dollars, and it is just like throwing away a substantial amount of money. But more importantly, valuable information that would help this earth will not be collected. I thought that this article was interesting because it told me a lot about this event. The article is located at http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-amp-space/article/2009-02/rip-orbiting-carbon-observatory

Social Studies Blog #3

Cracked sprinklers caused $158,327 in damage to the lower floors of the South Brunswick Police Station in the Municipal Complex on Ridge Road during the late hours of January 18 through the early hours on January 19, 2009. The repairs are almost finished, but the large amount of water given off by the sprinklers significantly damaged furniture, equipment and ceiling tiles. Surprisingly, the water and repairs have not interfered with the police dispatch service yet. Repairs were made to walls, alarms, and fireproof mechanisms. A projector with a lamp, a computer, and the most expensive of all, the carpet, need to be replaced. Hopefully, the repairs will be finished soon, so that the ability for the Communications Department to handle 911 calls is not disrupted in any way.


http://www.centraljersey.com/articles/2009/02/24/south_brunswick_post/news/doc499d784aeabb3278823730.txt

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