We will be holding the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Physics Bowl period 9, Tuesday, April 3, 2012 in Room A320.
Participants in this competition take a 45 minute, 40 question multiple choice test written by the AAPT. This event is open to all students who are currently enrolled in an AP Physics class. Students in AP Physics B compete in the first year division, while students in AP Physics C compete in the second year division. (There is a slight difference in questions between the two divisions.) Awards are given to the top students and the top schools in a geographic region. All research students who participate will receive one half point of extra credit.
If you are interested in this event, see Mr. Spergel in room A300 (or email hss28@cornell.edu). He will give you information on how to register and how to take the practice exam online.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s CancerSmart lecture series features informative discussions on the most up-to-date issues on cancer and cancer-related topics. MSKCC believes the more you know, the better equipped you will be to make informed choices about your health. Lectures are presented at Rockefeller Research Laboratories, 430 East 67th Street (between First and York Avenues) on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. There is no charge to attend and all are welcome. Click on the links to individual lectures for more information and to register. (You should register as a courtesy so they know how many people will be attending.)
Thursday, March 22, 2012, 6:00–7:30 PM Advances Toward the Cure and Prevention of Breast Cancer Join Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s Deputy Physician-in-Chief for Breast Cancer Programs, Larry Norton, MD, for a comprehensive discussion of breast cancer — biology, prevention, diagnosis, prognostication, management, and adjustment to life after treatment.
One half point of extra credit will be awarded to students who complete this assignment for each lecture they attend. Official attendance is taken by group photo at the end of each event. Give your completed (typed) assignment to your supervising teacher at any time during the following school day.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s CancerSmart lecture series features informative discussions on the most up-to-date issues on cancer and cancer-related topics. MSKCC believes the more you know, the better equipped you will be to make informed choices about your health. Lectures are presented at Rockefeller Research Laboratories, 430 East 67th Street (between First and York Avenues) on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. There is no charge to attend and all are welcome. Click on the links to individual lectures for more information and to register. (You should register as a courtesy so they know how many people will be attending.)
Thursday, March 22, 2012, 6:00–7:30 PM Advances Toward the Cure and Prevention of Breast Cancer Join Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s Deputy Physician-in-Chief for Breast Cancer Programs, Larry Norton, MD, for a comprehensive discussion of breast cancer — biology, prevention, diagnosis, prognostication, management, and adjustment to life after treatment.
One half point of extra credit will be awarded to juniors who complete this assignment for each lecture they attend. Official attendance is taken by group photo at the end of each event. Give your completed (typed) assignment to your supervising teacher at any time during the following school day.
The Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism (abbreviated NECSS and pronounced "nexus") is an educational conference held annually in New York City. As its name suggests, NECSS explores the intersection of science, skepticism, the media, and society for the purpose of promoting a more rational world. This year’s conference will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 20th and 21st from 10 AM to 6 PM. Presenters include a diverse group of magicians, scientists, journalists, entrepreneurs, futurists, philosophers, artists, and paranormal investigators. The highlight of every conference has always been a live taping of the Skeptics Guide to the Universe podcast.
The NECSS Student Sponsorship Program provides an opportunity for select high school, college, and graduate students to receive free admission to one or both days of the NECSS conference. To be considered for the NECSS Student Sponsorship Program, applicants must submit the application form and meet the following guidelines:
Applicants must be between 16-24 years of age and currently attend high school, college, or graduate school.
All students must be able to travel to New York City and cover their own room and board (scholarships include the price of conference registration only). Not a problem, since we all live in New York City.
Students under 18 years of age must be accompanied at the conference by a parent or legal guardian (parent/guardians must pay for their own conference registration). I will be attending this year’s conference and the organizers have told me that teachers can serve as guardians.
Applicants should have a passion for science/skepticism and must submit a short essay addressing one of the following two topics:
What scientific or skeptical issue are you most passionate about and why?
What scientific or skeptical person inspires you the most and why?
Essays are limited to 250 words or less and must be written in English.
The deadline for submissions is midnight EST on Monday, March 12, 2012.
The DNA Day Essay Contest aims to challenge students to examine, question, and reflect on the important concepts of genetics. Essays are expected to contain substantive, well-reasoned arguments indicative of a depth of understanding of the concepts related to the essay questions. Essays must be less than 750 words (excluding references). Here’s this year’s topics.
Genes exert their influence on organisms by being turned on and off in precise ways and at precise times. Disease can result when problems arise during this process of "gene regulation". The first processes of gene regulation to be discovered involved molecular "switches" that regulate transcription at gene promoters. In the last 20 years, genomic research has uncovered many new types of gene regulation that earlier researchers would have never imagined. Genes can be regulated by repressors, activators, enhancers, epigenetic changes to chromatin, RNA interference, the environment, and other processes. Choose one of the gene regulation processes listed above and, using references to support your argument, explain why/how that regulatory process is critically important to ONE of the following:
early development
normal cell function
causation of disease or cell malfunction
Submission Deadline: March 12, 2012 at 5:00 PM EST.
Registration for the 2011 lectures is now open. Major Trends in Modern Cancer Research, features a group of leading scientists from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center presenting their work to high school students and science teachers, offering a chance for them to interact and ask questions about the latest advances in biomedical research. Midwood has always supported this event with a large number of research students.
The seminar will be held at the Rockefeller Research Laboratories, 430 East 67th Street (between First and York Avenues) on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. One half point of extra credit will be awarded to all students who attend and complete this assignment for any one of the speakers. Official attendance is taken by group photo at the end of the event. Place your completed (typed) assignment in my mailbox in the Research Room at any time during the school day on Thursday.
Registration is easy, but finding a seat with a good view isn’t. This event has gotten so popular that the folks at MSKCC needed to set up satellite viewing stations in adjacent conference rooms. Get there a bit early if possible. Light refreshments have traditionally been served before the lectures begin (pizza, chips, fruit, soda, coffee). Single use MetroCards will be made available for any student who needs one to attend.
I need up to 12 seniors to critique junior resumes. Anyone wishing to participate should contact me as soon as possible. This activity will take place period 9, on 4 different days. You must attend all 4 days to receive credit.
Thursday, October 6
Friday, October 7
Thursday, October 13
Friday, October 14.
On each day, participating seniors will be assigned to 3 or 4 juniors. The seniors will read and critique the juniors’ resumes in a manner similar to what I did last year. Provide helpful information, so that our juniors have the nicest looking resumes with the best content possible.
Started in San Mateo, California in 2006, and also being held in Detroit and New York, Maker Faire is the premier event for grassroots American innovation. As the World’s Largest DIY Festival, this two-day family friendly Faire has something for everyone – a showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness and a celebration of the Maker mindset.
Last year’s World Maker Faire NYC was described as carnival sideshow meets science fair, with robots, engineers, rockets, computer geekery and body paint. Imagine, you can get all that for FREE by volunteering. Just four hours gets you a day pass, eight hours gets you in for the weekend. You may come for the Life-Sized Mousetrap or to learn to make a piñata, but you’ll stay for Russell, the electric giraffe and the 3D printer village. You can learn about all your volunteering options here and register here. Any other questions? Email NYVolunteers@makerfaire.com. Midwood Science students who volunteer will, of course, receive extra credit. Contact Mr. Elert if you have any questions about Maker Faire in the Research class.
Some of my photos from the 2010 Maker Faire …
kelvin’s thunderstorm
chariot races
directions
chaotic ring launcher
3D printers
Some of my (YouTube) videos from the 2010 Maker Faire …
The deadline for the essay contest is Monday, March 7, 2011 at 5:00 PM EST. Essays need to be submitted by a teacher on behalf of the student. Each teacher is limited to submitting three student essays (per question). For more information visit …
The ACT-SO program has two major components — regularly scheduled enrichment workshops and the “Olympics of the Mind” competition and ceremony. During the workshops, which are held during the academic year, volunteer coaches work with students on projects and assignments designed to enhance the students’ knowledge and skills in the Sciences, Arts and Humanities. Additional components of the workshops are seminars and trips designed to introduce students to their cultural heritage and other workshops to prepare them for college and employment. The program culminates with the “Olympics of the Mind” competition and awards ceremony which give the students an opportunity to showcase their projects and to be recognized for their achievements.
