Response Blog ;)

In class, we did an experiment on plasticity. To start, we mixed corn starch with water. This created a substance that looked as if it were liquid, but acted as a solid. When put into my hands, and rubbed into a ball, the substance acted as a solid. After I stopped rubbing it into a ball, the substance flattened out almost immediately, showing liquid properties. This is an example of how the earth's mantle is. When heat and pressure are added to the mantle, it takes on the role of a solid. When it is taken away, it takes on the role of a liquid. Without the heat and pressure pushing on the earth's mantle, it would take on the role of a liquid, evidently, making us sink towards the center.

October Sky

Recently in school we watched the movie October Sky. This movie dealed with a lot of science/math, as well as character education traits that we have been learning about in school. The rockets, of course, were connected to science and math. This is because to find the right chemicals to mix to launch the rocket, it took science. Considering the Homer Hickam got into trouble for something he didn't do, he needed to find the trajectory of his rocket to prove that he did not start the fire in the forest. In the coal mines, health risks were a big issue. While mining for coal, dust particles are inhaled by the workers. This is extremely risky because this can lead to Black Lung, which is what Homer's father evidently died of. Homer and his friends showed cooperation in a few ways. In the beginning his friends were reluctant to participate in the science fair. Eventually they turned around, and cooperated with Homer, and helped him win the science fair. Homer showed assertion because he stepped up to the plate and showed everyone how bad he wanted to win that science fair. This movie made me realize that if I want something bad enough, like Homer did, I can do anything. It was a very inspirational movie.

RESPONSE! FROM SICKLE CELL ANEMIA (by uhmmmidk.)

I recently read a blog informing me on sickle cell anemia. Basically, it was explaining that there are certain blood cells that have sickle shapes to them. This can sometimes make the cases develop into anemia. The word anemia alone is a pretty frightening word. What I do not understand, however, is what the word jaundice means. Also, the blog explains that the cells break down faster, leading to infections. Personally, I feel that infections are horrible things (as I am sure most people do). Again, relatively normal humans take things for granted, such as normal blood cells, which we are not always aware of. Relatively normal people just go about their lives, not thinking about things such as 'sickle cell anemia' and 'down syndrome'. I think we all need to be a little more aware of our surroundings.

For the complete article, go to :
www.uhmmmidk.blogspot.com/

DOWN SYNDROME

Have you ever seen a child whose face is somewhat flat while having a short neck? Perhaps their ears are abnormally shaped, or they have small hands and feet? These are symptoms of a person with a condition called Down Syndrome. These people also have complications inside them. These consist of loose ligaments, skeletal issues, eye problems (such as cataracts) as well as hearing issues. Down Syndrome was first noted in 1866, however, the cause was not discovered until 1959. When a person has Down Syndrome, have an extra chromosome 21. There are three of the chromosome, instead of the normal two. Older woman who have children are more likely to have a child with Down Syndrome than a younger woman who is having a child. About 1 in 1,250 women over 25 years of age are at risk of having a child with Down Syndrome, whereas a woman over 40 has a risk of 1 in 100. On average, 85% of infants with the condition live longer than one year, and 50% live longer than the age of 50. Unfortunately, Down Syndrome is not a curable condition. However, the children with this condition benefit more with special education, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and special exercises. New treatments are not noted at this time. I feel awful for children with this condition. It must be extremely difficult to try to live with Down Syndrome. As a relatively normal people, humans take so much for granted, such as the shape of our face, our hearing and other elements such as those. Like they always say, nothing is real 'til it's gone.

For more information, go to:
www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Down_Syndrome.cfm
and
www.emedicinehealth.com/down_syndrome/article_em.htm