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March 2011

Japan: Disaster Relief

Submitted by Joann on Sat, 2011-03-26 11:00


Millions of people around the globe have been thunderstruck and horrified by the devastating earthquake, tsunami, and resulting nuclear crisis that have unfolded in Japan in recent weeks. Stark images of the utter destruction left in the tsunami’s wake replay continuously on news reports, leaving viewers wondering how the affected communities can possibly rebuild after such a tragedy. Where does one start? The sheer scope of the destruction seems overwhelming.

Resources mentioned in this post: 
Be Disaster Safe: Emergency Management
Dealing with Disasters
Disaster Relief – Power, Generosity and Leadership

Connecting the Dots

Submitted by Joann on Sat, 2011-03-19 10:14


Over the past 100 years or so, stars seem to have disappeared from daily life. Our ancestors didn’t take the stars for granted; for them, the night sky often served as compass, clock, calendar, and a rich source of inspiration for tales of mystery and wonder. Skyscrapers and light pollution have dimmed the brilliance of the night sky for many of us in the 21st century, but for those who happen to stop for a bit and look upward, the sky’s glittering patterns are still there for the gazing.

Resources mentioned in this post: 
Glowing Constellations
Constellations
Constellations in Science and Mythology

Just Wild About Harry

Submitted by Joann on Wed, 2011-03-16 11:07


It’s been nearly 14 years since the publication of the first Harry Potter book. The first generation of Potter fans has now likely completed college, having grown up alongside the books’ protagonists that they’ve grown to love. Although sales of the Harry Potter series have slowed since the publication of the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, in 2007, a new crop of readers continue to discover the series each year. According to Scholastic, the American publisher of the Harry Potter series, there are currently 143 million copies of Potter books in print in the U.S., and 400 million copies worldwide.

Resources mentioned in this post: 
Harry Potter Math Stories
Genetic Traits in Harry Potter

You Make Me Sick!

Submitted by Joann on Mon, 2011-03-07 22:40


Every November, I start steeling myself for the onset of virus season. Since most of the students in our school district elect to receive flu shots, the number of flu cases in our schools is very manageable and the symptoms are fairly benign. The dreaded norovirus, however, is a different story. While many people refer to it as “the stomach flu,” norovirus is actually an RNA virus that causes acute vomiting and diarrhea and is responsible for about 90% of all epidemic non-bacterial outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness in the world. It’s highly contagious, and spreads from person to person through touching contaminated surfaces or through ingesting contaminated food or water.

Resources mentioned in this post: 
Germ Busters!
The History of Germ Theory – Grade 12
Microbes: Too Smart for Antibiotics?