Genetically-Modified Foods Rap

Our resident rapper, Julian E. Brunson, wrote the following rap describing his feelings about genetically-modified foods:

What u know about tomatoes, potatoes, soybeans and peas
All I know they ain't no good for me
or no good 4 u
So what you betta do, when they put them on ya plate
Look and say ewww or probli say ill
and you need 2 chill
U betta know the deal, I don't even think that stuff is real
They fill ya stuff with all kinds of toxins
sumbody did dat crap 2 me, we'd be boxin'
I'm tryna tell u dat it ain't even healthy
And da makers sit back and get wealthy
and y'all jus' keep puttin' it in da fridge,
Man, da companies don't even feed dat stuff 2 they kids.

Gene Mutations

Biology students have been researching gene mutations. We will be posting interesting findings for you below.

Engineering Day at Drexel U.

Take a look at your classmates participating in Engineering Day activities. Students built model cars with K-Nex trying to see which would survive a downhill crash into a cinder block using the least amount of force. Chemical engineering of new substances including insulating foam made of polyether and slime that had the ability to bounce was a lot of fun! Making instant (and very yummy) ice cream using liquid nitrogen provided a sweet ending for our luncheon. The day ended with a shuttle bus and walking tour of Drexel's campus.

Want to play a game and at the same time contribute valuable data to an engineering experiment that aims to teach a computer to have emotions? Go to http://schubert.ece.drexel.edu/~lloyd/game/ to sign up!

Careers Seminar at SLA - January 9th

Several of our 10th grade girls attended a seminar at the Science Leadership Academy, presented by WICT, Women in Cable and Telecommunications. There was a lively panel discussion by about 15 prominent women who lead in all areas of cable television and associated fields. Some were vice presidents of national offices for Comcast and others were in human relations, engineering, government relations, among other interesting fields. All of the women stressed the importance of getting and continuing a good education beyond high school to achieve such status in the corporate world. They also stressed the need for strong skills in mathematics and science. Go to their website to find out more about WICT and internships available through various companies, including Comcast, which offers a summer internship for high school students. Visit www.wictphiladelphia.org for more information.

Science Projects

Wondering how to do your Abstract? Go to: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/scifairstudio/handbook/abstract.html
to see a good example.

TYPED SCIENCE PROJECT REPORTS ARE DUE NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 18.

AP Bio Students Attend Health Care Talk

Con High's AP Bio students attended a debate-style talk at the National Constitution Center on Tuesday evening, December 11. “Regulating the Practice of Medicine,” was a lively and enlightening conversation with industry insiders about how business and government promote, regulate, pay for and prohibit products in the health care industry. Our own Ashley Kalfas got up during the question and answer session to ask about our government's unwillingness to cover all citizens with health care insurance while they spend billions of dollars on an unpopular and, perhaps, unjust war in Iraq. Several of the students walked away with more questions about our system of health care and our ability to continue to research and provide new drugs and cures but still have many uninsured in our country. What do you think about health care in the U.S.? Post your thoughts to our blog.

A New Blog for Con High!!!

Bio blog is here! Check it out for cool bio news, what's going on in class, student ideas and feedback, and anything else we decide to post. :)