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Rethinking Evolution
In restrospect it also showed me that scientists are only human and not only make mistakes but alter data to make it seem that they are right, which I think is also a human thing to do. Who doesn’t want to be right? Based upon this a constant reevaluation of what is taught is necessary.Biology 103 also taught me this along with the fact that it takes an independent thinker to realize that the direction science has been going in is could be wrong, and that the data could be interpreted differently.
Another thing I learned from this class is that even if the course material has been covered in a previous class, in my case AP Biology, there are always new ways of explaining things and looking at things. The result of which could lead to a new discovery. At the beginning of the semester some of the material covered while not new new to me, completely blew my mind because I had never thought of it that way before. Even witnessing people who were learning different bits of material for the first time helped me to gain a new understanding of things.
While this book only covered a portion of what this bio course did I feel that it kept with the spirit of the course and would recommend it to any Bio 103 student looking for a book to read for the class. This course and book paired together helped me to see evolution as a story has more depth than previously thought because the way it was taught before was more of an open and shut case.
I found this part of a blog entry from a student at the college, on Serendip:
Remote Ready Biology Learning Activities
Remote Ready Biology Learning Activities has 50 remote-ready activities, which work for either your classroom or remote teaching.
Narrative is determined not by a desire to narrate but by a desire to exchange. (Roland Barthes, S/Z)
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Brain and Behavior Grant Request
BRAIN and BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE 2009 by Jack Marine
Materials Management Grant Request
My web page was an exploration of violence, and how the brain is affected by violent images. I found that particular areas of the brain are affected by seeing violence and also there are genes which give us an interest in watching offensive images, maybe having something to do with taking risks. At first I researched how the brain is affected in its development by exposure to violence. Then I looked for images that are not necessarily violent, as I did not wish to expose students to extremely violent images.
I realized later that I have no way of actually measuring changes in behavior after seeing or growing up surrounded by violence. So now I am thinking that maybe my classroom should be a safer place to be. My room should be the destination away from all violence at home, on TV and video, and on the streets.
With this in mind I am proposing to create a welcoming environment, a safe place conducive to feeling safe. My classroom will be a great environment for active learning, i.e. a space to be “mellow” in order to learn.
I am requesting four Glo Fish aquarium tank units to be placed into the classroom. I was thinking about polluting one of the tanks to elicit an emotional reaction from the students that they could write about. If I did that experiment, I would use regular feeder fish, because the fish that you get with these kits are raised specially for the GloFish kits. But that borders on ethics and I would only do this is the administration approved.
On another take, these tanks may counter balance the violent world students are exposed to in many areas of their lives. Let them come into the Science Room ready for open inquiry, exploration, and of course conflict.
My grant request is to purchase four GloFish units from Carolina Biological Supply Company:
GloFish Auarium Kit: http://www.carolina.com/product/glofish+led+aquarium+kit.do?keyword=glo+fish&sortby=bestMatches#
Approximate Cost = $292.00 plus $20.00 S&H (estimate)
Squatter
I've been squatting here at Bryn Mawr for four weeks, I'm gonna miss my teacher pals on Monday, after the Summer 2009 Institutes are completely finished! Great job- kudos to the hosts!