Archive of ‘Science 9’ category

16
Jan
2017

First Peoples Principles of Learning

categories: Science 9

Learning is embedded in memory, history and story.

The First Peoples believed that in their culture, many things should be learned by memory, historic facts and stories. When the First Peoples had to teach something, they would have several creative ways so people would remember the teachings for several generations. Techniques they used were: Stories, Dancing and Singing. Some techniques that were used back then are still being used now to this day. For example, in classrooms we use videos and discussions to obtain and remember all of the information that we had learned so it doesn’t leave our minds very easily. This principle relates to our unit because all of the information that we are learning and obtaining is coming from videos that we watch in class and articles and stories that we research and find online. The information that we learn in this unit should continue being passed down so that more and more people will know the results and consequences of Global Warming and Ecological problems that are happening and try and put a stop to it. Another example of this principle being used in our unit was when we watched a video called “The Inconvenient Truth” and it told stories about how Global Warming is destroying our planet and it made me and other students realize that this ongoing problem is a huge deal and we need to start helping out by reaching out and telling everyone about this ecological problem.

Learning involves patience and time.

The First Peoples believed that enough patience and time would mean finding more unique and interesting discoveries and having a greater chance of success. When learning something, it requires a lot of patience and time to understand something to it’s full potential. Memorization and skill also work best when you are patient. Being patient means that you have a greater chance to succeed in life. Reflecting back on this principle being used, many First Peoples used patience and time to create artifacts to help explain stories that could be passed down for several generations. Time was also used for learning many things and obtaining it all separately rather than learning it all at once so it wouldn’t be forgotten. An example of this principle being used in this unit is when my partner and I started to work on our final unit project, we had to test different types of soil and how they would react to certain chemicals and that takes a lot of time and patience due to having to wait a few weeks to get all of the data. Without fully using the principle, we probably won’t be able to obtain all of the information and data so our project won’t be reaching it’s full potential. With time and patience, we should be able to gather all of the data so we can analyze it and end up having good results in the end.

Learning involves generational roles and responsibilities.

The First Peoples believed that when having responsibilities and general roles, it would mean a greater chance of success when learning. When someone has several responsibilities, it shows that they are mature and can handle many things. When someone has a generational role, it shows that they are great leaders and can be self sufficient when learning. In First Peoples culture, the Elders were the ones who had generational roles since they were the people with the most knowledge who could share with others. Another example is that Elders are great role models for younger generations to follow and learn from. Examples of generational roles and responsibilities come from both the teacher and the student. Teachers always have to make sure that the students are ready and want to learn. An example of when this principle is used in our class is when my partner and I have certain roles and responsibilities that we need to fulfill if we want to do well on our project.

13
Dec
2016

Genetically Engineered Drugs

categories: Science 9

 

The problem that we’re trying to solve is to understand the changes in certain viruses and make certain drugs more stronger and resistant to prevent illnesses and help cure multiple people with gene therapy.

Some assumptions that people have made are; doctors having lack of knowledge on genetics and modification, not understanding how the process works, not knowing who’s severely or mildly allergic to these genetically modified drugs and not knowing what will happen if the process goes wrong and does harm to anyone who uses them. Some positive assumptions that people have made about using these types of drugs are many believe that these drugs can help a lot of people who are severely sick and that doctors will have an increased chance in success with gene therapy and learn more about how genetic engineering works.

The writers are all mostly in favour for genetically modified drugs. They think that it’s a great way to help more people in gene therapy. When the drugs are genetically modified, the writers think that the drugs and vaccines will become more strong and reliable over time as the doctors develop more of an understanding on the topic. Some medications, such as insulin can be made by attaching a human gene to the DNA of bacteria to produce insulin. Using bacteria to produce insulin can be done at a lower cost, with less time to wait for the drug to be produced. Some think that genetic engineering will work, but others oppose of that idea. Others think that it will not work very well and that there will be faults along the way. Some examples said were; not knowing how far to go with the idea before it becomes harmful to people and not knowing what is safe and not safe to use.

Social implications on engineering genetically modified drugs are doctors having lack of knowledge and understanding on technology and genetics, concerns of them not being able to reverse the process, knowing what percentage of genes the drug needs to have before a human can properly use it and knowing who is allergic to these genetically modified drugs and vaccines. These are the bad social implications of this topic. The good social implications are treating people with better, stronger vaccines that have a better chance at curing people, finding more information on how the process works so the doctors can get better at it, greater detail on the study of genetics and DNA and creating better medicine for gene therapy to increase greater chances of success.

Ethical implications on genetically modified drugs are several health risks when using gene therapy, experiments done on animals could cause animal lovers to be concerned with the genetic therapy, affecting the natural process of nature by adding genetics to vaccines and drugs and possible affects in human behaviour. Good ethical implications are, creating drugs that can help heal multiple people, learning more about genetics and what are the causes of genetic abnormality and how to prevent it.

Out of all of the research that I have found, I think that the process will be a success and the doctors will solve the problem and help many people who are severely ill. I also think that as they go through the process multiple times, they will develop a greater understanding on genetics and create new, better medications to help cure people.

My personal thoughts on this idea are both positive and negative. I think it’s great because it can help develop more stronger vaccines to resist viruses and help fight off flu’s, diseases and severe illnesses. My thoughts are also somewhat negative because of the doctors not knowing what will be safe to use and not knowing what the consequences are if something goes wrong during the process. Overall, I think that this idea will have lots of success and will go more into detail as time goes by and doctors will become more advanced and technical in genetic engineering.

http://nwrage.org/content/ethical-issues-genetic-engineering-and-transgenics
https://www.infoplease.com/cig/biology/dna-technology-applications.html http://www.iflscience.com/environment/myths-and-controversies-gmos-0/ http://www.jbiomeds.com/biomedical-sciences/human-social-and-environmental-impacts-of-human-genetic-engineering.php?aid=7264

30
Nov
2016

Mutation Story

categories: Science 9

Part 1 (Mutation Story) 

Hello! I am a gene inside of Riley’s body. Riley has a genetic disorder called Sickle-Cell disease. I was inherited from Riley’s parents. The reason that she has Sickle-Cell disease is caused by a genetic abnormality in the gene for hemoglobin. When oxygen is released from hemoglobin, it sticks all together and forms long crescent rods that damage and change the shape of the red blood cells. Riley got this disease from sickle hemoglobin genes that were from both of her parents. Mutations in the hemoglobin beta gene on chromosome 11 caused Riley to have this genetic disorder. Faults that Riley has had due to this disease is damage to her spleen, kidneys and liver. She also has delayed growth and vision problems which make it difficult for her to get along with kids her age. Riley’s genetic disorder didn’t appear until she was four months old. She will most likely only live until her late 40’s to early 50’s and also has an increased risk of arthritis, anemia, leg ulcers and heart injury.

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Part 2 (The making of Mutation story)

Ask – What is Sickle-Cell disease? How does it form in a person’s body? Where does the disease come from? Can it be cured? What happened to the genes? What are risks of having Sickle-Cell disease?

Aquire – The digital tools that I used were all modern, familiar and resourceful. I used my IPad to look up useful and resourceful websites and I used a piece of paper and pencil to write down all of the information that I found on Sickle-Cell disease. I also used pictures to show what this genetic disease looks like and how it works.

Analyze/Apply – The process I used was simple and direct. First, I looked up all of the information that I needed on several different websites. Then I cited all of the websites to make sure the information was correct and after I found all of the information that I needed, I wrote notes down on my paper and then put the story onto my Edublog.

Assess – I think the process went well. I finished the assignment on time and didn’t procrastinate the night before it was due. Over the process, I learned more about genes, abnormalities in genes and Sickle-Cell disease. I learned how it all works and forms in a person’s body. Next time, I will show more photos to describe the disease and state more information about what happens to the genes. I will also talk more about her main story. I really enjoyed this assignment and had fun learning about Sickle-Cell disease and genetic mutations.

Websites: 

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/pain-management-sickle-cell-disease

https://www.genome.gov/10001219/learning-about-sickle-cell-disease

http://www.nejm.org/abi/full/10.1056/NEJM199406093302303#t=article

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sickle-cell-anemia/basics/symptoms/con-20019348

http://www.medicinenet.com/sickle_cell/page3.htm

Pictures: 

http://conditions.healthgrove.com/l/919/Sickle-Cell-Anemia

http://www.healthline.com/health/sickle-cell-anemia

 

23
Nov
2016

Meiosis Analogy Video

categories: Science 9

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I think that we did a good job working on this mini project together as a group. One person had the creativity, one had the writing skills and the other had the brainstorming skills. First, we sat down at a table and planned on who was going to do what. After we decided, we started writing the layout on how we were going to film and the script for what we were going to say. When we finished the layout and script, we started to film. After we finished filming, I edited the final product of the video and we thought of the debrief together as a group. We all worked well together and everyone was and felt included. Each person had a job to do for the project. We all collaborated ideas and formed them into one big idea. I think it would have been better if we developed the big idea more and edited the video as a team. Overall, I think that our group did great working together as a team, using each of our own personal advantages and skills and trying to find the main idea to use for this project.