Students Writing for Science...

Students Writing for Science...
need to cite sources and follow style manuals.  Sometimes, they complain about this.  These are basic writing skills, however and need to be applied in science as in other fields.

Look at the previous post and you can see a link to instructions for authors  of the new journal.  Every journal has a section guiding authors to the style needed to be followed for that journal.  Students can gather from this professional use of style that the exercise in the classroom does have merit in the real world... and even in the virtual one (since that journal is on-line only.)

Another indication of relevance to citation is any scandal on plagiarism. Schools, colleges, and universities have rules against plagiarism.  It is against the law in many countries if not all.  The recent scandal at Harvard shows none are exempt from having people break the rules:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/30/ harvard-cheating-ring-uni_n_1844104.html, however, students are often not aware of what plagiarism is.

Pointing out what needs to be cited, and, identifying both quotations and paraphrases, is helpful.  Students may cite quotes but forget to cite paraphrases.  They need to be reminded to cite both quotes and paraphrases/.  Book publishers have been known to copy, even from this blog, without citing.  Imagine! (I am giving them a chance here to "fess up," and make right.)   But, we all need to be vigilant and give credit to authors for their ideas.  Style manuals and instructions for authors give us the correct ways to cite for a particular publication. Even young students can learn to cite correctly:  I have seen kindergarteners do it well (age 5).

Often students who did cite didn't know of style manuals.  They did it according to their grade school or high school teacher's assignment sheets (which may have used APA, MLA,  or other style manual as a base (Were these cited?)

Where can you get style manuals?  Ask the reference librarian at your local library.  For your information,. there are some style manuals at the bottom of the blog post.  Feel free to add others in the comments.  Thanks.

Note:  Special Thanks to the Librarians at Thrall Library (and likely librarians at many other libraries)  for making every effort to educate students on the library skills they need to stay current throughout their lives..

Today(12-07-09)'s quote of the day is by Jules Verne

Science, my lad, is made up of mistakes, but they are mistakes which it is useful to make, because they lead little by little to the truth.

"Jules Verne (1828-1905) Discuss"
Source: http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Verne,+Jules. Accessed December 7, 2009.

Science literacy is enhanced when we understand Verne's quote, and, when we enjoy reading science and science fiction.

Among more than 50 books written by Jules Verne, originally in French, there are popular English translations:

• Five Weeks in a Balloon (1863),
• A Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864),
• From the Earth to the Moon (1865),
• Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea (1870),
• Around the World in Eighty Days (1873),
• The Mysterious Island (1875), and
• Michael Strogoff (1876).

Students might like to read some of Jules Verne's books and then look at the developments in science that he appeared to envision long before they arrived.

Perhaps students would like to try to write a science fiction story. Ask students if they think a good science fiction writer needs to know science. Find a science fiction tutorial by Jeffrey A. Carver, a science fiction writer (who offers the course as a public service to aspiring writers) on-line at: http://www.writesf.com/.

Evaluating Sources as a Part of Science Literacy

Today information is readily available. But, how does a student evaluate the literature available? "Hype" and sales pitches are easy to read, but, do they provide accurate information? Some do. Some do not. How do you know?

There is much controversy over human chorionic gonadotropin, better known to the general public as HCG. How can we use science literacy skills to evaluate this compound? If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know we typically start with general information and progress through Reach Reading TM to the refereed journal articles, which are peer reviewed.

Obesity is a problem. HCG is a product touted to contribute to lasting weight loss(Here's one website, but, there are many: http://www.yourhcg.com). Is that a factual concept? We know money is made from people trying various products or surgery to lose weight. How can one use science literacy to determine which information to believe? I am not saying use this example, HCG, for students. Pick something of interest to them. For example, if they have a pet cat, they might be interested in pet food advertisements and research that has been done on pet nutrition.

Do a search engine search for HCG (or a student- or teacher- selected topic). Pick a few articles. Evaluate them. How difficult is the vocabulary? Are the claims backed up with fact? Take some notes on points that interest you and remember to note the information to site the sources (left hand column of the blog has some style manual links if you need assistance with that).

Now, using some words or phrases that you find in the general literature to help you find information in the technical literature...the laboratory reports. Remember. the laboratory reports follow a format that is international in nature and are peer-reviewed (evaluated by other scientists in the same field):

• Introduction (background information, and hypothesis to be tested),
• Materials and Methods (procedures)
• Results (data)
• Discussion and Conclusions (discussion of the data, suggested public policy, suggested future experiments and requests for funding...)
• Literature Cited (gives complete source information)

These "laboratory reports" will be easy to recognize if you follow the same format for your own classroom laboratory experiments (granted, simplified as per student ability).

Here are some examples of peer-reviewed ("refereed") journal articles on HCG:

1. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) in the Treatment of Obesity: A Critical Assessment of the Simeons Method by Frank L. Greenway, MD and George A. Bray, MD. West J Med. 1977 December. Vol. 127. No. 6. Pp. 461-463. PMCID:PMC1237915 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pmc/articles/PMC1237915/

2. Effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin on weight loss, hunger, and feeling of well-being by W. L. Asher M.D.¹ and Harold W. Harper M.D.¹ From the American Society of Bariatric Physicians Research Council, 333 West Hampden Avenue, Englewood, Colorado 80110. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol 26. Pp211-218. (c) 1973 by the American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc. http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/26/2/211

These two articles have opposing conclusions, so, to formulate my own opinion on this topic, I would have to find more research. Knowing myself, I'd probably do an exhaustive search. The idea is not for students to take my opinion, nor for them to take their teacher's opinion, but, rather for them to learn to form their own opinions and be able to back those opinions up with information from refereed journals.

Check who paid for the research. Does the article support or attack or remain neutral on the points of interest to you? Were the research methods sound? (This type of analysis must be done at the students level...but even pre-school children get the concept of control versus experimental, even if they may not know all the vocabulary.) Is the vocabulary tougher? If we want to know something, we learn the vocabulary. (I have seen students in elementary and high school science classes use the refereed journal articles and stay much more engaged in science class as a result. But, even if the articles are too hard to read, the students get the idea that research exists and if they have a need to know, they will find and learn to read the articles. Students have come back years later to thank me for introducing them to the journal articles. Two more notes: 1- Journal articles exist in all fields...in case you are an artist, or a history buff... 2- People that win the national science fairs typically read a few refereed journal articles.)

Sometimes you might come across related articles that are a bit off topic, yet peek interest in further study, such as research ...

on HCG and breast cancer risk (or lack of risk).
http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/4/5/437.full.pdf; Accessed 10-26-09.

Find some refereed research articles on your selected topic(s).

Plan to write a persuasive essay based on your findings.

Most of all, have fun. I think of this as, "mental recreation."

Edit, Nov. 4, 2009:
Not convinced that refereed journal article reading is an important part of science literacy?
Want one parent's viewpoint on reading journal articles, which concurrently explains basic biology and genetic engineering? Try reading The Unhealthy Truth: How our Food is making us Sick and What We can do about It, by Robyn O'Brien [and] Rachel Kranz (Broadway Books (Random House), New York. 2009). Read more.


(c)2009 J S Shipman All rights reserved. Portions (c)1985-2009 J S Shipman. Used with permission of the author.

Stanley Rice, Botanist, Author...Web portal

-----Under development-----

Across the country people are beginning to realize that children need to have deep and meaningful experiences with the natural world while they are growing up. Without these experiences, children will miss a dimension of happiness; may find no real relief from the stresses of civilization; and most importantly, may not realize that there is any natural world that needs to be protected.
Stanley Rice

http://www.stanleyrice.com/

Here is a portal to an Oklahoma botanist .
Here are some of his books:


Rice, Stanley A. Encyclopedia of Evolution. New York: Facts on File, 2007.

Rice, Stanley A. Green Planet. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2009.

Upcoming Books:
Encyclopedia of Science and Technology
Encyclopedia of Biodiversity

Autism and Oxygen in the News--Leading to Science Library Research and Citations

Autism and Oxygen in the News--Leading to Science Library Research and Citations

"In a recent study, autistic children who received 40 hours of hyperbaric treatment showed significant improvements in overall functioning, social interaction, eye contact, receptive language, and sensory or cognitive awareness." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7940149.stm

Here's a link to a post from todays' left-hand column's link. After today, those links change, so, I have linked to the source article.

Remember using current events in science classes helps maintain interest. Students can also look for related research articles. for example:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may improve symptoms in autistic children.

ROSSIGNOL DA, ROSSIGNOL LW.

Med Hypotheses 2006 Mar 20;[epub ahead of print].
Blue Ridge Medical Center, 4038 Thomas Nelson Highway, Arrington, VA 22922, USA; University of Virginia, P.O. Box 800729, Charlottesville, VA, USA (Source: http://www.websciences.org/cftemplate/NAPS/archives/indiv.cfm?ID=20061272).

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may improve symptoms in autistic children
Medical Hypotheses, Volume 67, Issue 2, Pages 216-228
D. Rossignol, L. Rossignol (Source:http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0306987706001198).

And, that type of searching may lead to other interesting articles, such as:

Hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of patients with cerebral stroke, brain trauma, and neurologic disease

Journal	Advances in Therapy
Publisher	Springer Healthcare Communications
ISSN	0741-238X (Print) 1865-8652 (Online)
Issue	Volume 22, Number 6 / November, 2005
DOI	10.1007/BF02849960
Pages	659-678
Subject Collection	Medicine
SpringerLink Date	Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Noori S. Al-Waili¹ , Glenn J. Butler¹, Jorge Beale¹, Mahdi S. Abdullah¹, R. W. Bill Hamilton¹, Boke Y. Lee¹, Paul Lucus¹, Michael W. Allen¹, Richard L. Petrillo¹, Zev Carrey¹ and Michael Finkelstein¹

(1)	Life Support Technologies, Inc. and New Technologies, Inc. The Mount Vernon Hospital, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, New York, NY ( Source: http://www.springerlink.com/content/7474746430118483/).

I have posted these, "finds," in the way a student might when he or she just locates them, and, "cut -and-pastes," them into a word processor. Try to show the students how to cite information by using style manuals, such as CBE, MLA, or others. I like to suggest to students that they locate the style manual of the field that they hope to go on to study. It is much better for students to have an idea that there are different style manuals than to have them get to college saying that they do it the way their, "high school English teacher told them." I have found that many students frequently say the latter when they arrive at college. Your students will be different. If they use MLA, at least, they should know it is MLA. Scientists usually use others. Do you know which ones? Do you know how to find out? Take a look at the, "Rules for Publication," in journals that publish work that you are interested in...You can find out the styles typically recommended for that science field.

True Science according to Tolstoy

Quote of the Day

True science investigates and brings to human perception such truths and such knowledge as the people of a given time and society consider most important. Art transmits these truths from the region of perception to the region of emotion. Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)

Quote of the Day provided by The Free Library

What do you think about science? Do you agree with Tolstoy when he says, "True science investigates and brings to human perception such truths and such knowledge as the people of a given time and society consider most important. Art transmits these truths from the region of perception to the region of emotion?"

Make a chart with portions of the quote in the left hand column, and examples to support on contradict them in the right hand columns (one for support, one for contradiction). Use your chart to help you formulate an essay on true science.

Observation, Public Policy and Science in the news today...Mexican Axolotl (Frog-like Organism)

This story is about the Mexican Axolotl. Note, in the photos accompanying the story, there are plants. Did you see them, or, were you, "plant blind?" Do you think plant-blindness has anything to do with the disappearing frog-like creatures? Do plants play a role in lives of organisms? Do we need plants (Tropical and temperate forests, weeds, crops, herbs) for organisms like axolotls and humans to live? Do some investigating and write an essay, supported with facts you've found, or, experiences you've had. Formulate an opinion on endangered species, such as the axolotl. Indicate a global public policy that you feel would help sustain the Earth. Check with your parent, guardian, teacher, or, supervisor: Should you submit your essay as a letter to the editor of a local paper, or, post it on line? Would it make a good bulletin board? Are any science standards covered by your activity?

Fill your essay (and your mind) with hope. When we educate ourselves and act toward sustainability, we are very capable of achieving sustainability. I believe it is important to carry the message of hope with any activities where we deal with global problems, including extinction, or loss of habitat, among others.

Story:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUKTRE5114WI20090202

Film (in Spanish): http://uk.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=98040&videoChannel=82

Writing in the garden...

I am writing in the garden. To write as one should of a garden one must write not outside it or merely somewhere near it, but in the garden.
Frances Hodgson Burnett
(1849-1924)

as cited by : http://www.thefreedictionary.com/lookup.htm, accessed January 21, 2009.

Compare this quote to the idea of studying science only in books versus in the laboratory and in the field. You can use a Venn diagram a chart or an essay.

Differentiating "Primary Sources" from "Stories about Science"

Here's a link to an article on fat genes.

Can you tell if it is a "primary source" or not?

Who did the research? Did the person or people who did the research write this article?

How can you find primary source articles?

Where can you find them?

What format do they typically follow?

Is any of your work generating primary source information? Which work?

(c) 2008 J S Shipman

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Kestral Naming...

Do you know what a Kestral is? You can find out lots of ways. One way is to visit http://wildwings.org. Recently they have had a naming ceremony for a new kestral.

Do you have a plant or animal story to tell? Try writing it out and then telling a few friends. Take some pictures, or draw some, to accompany your story.

A parent or guardian can submit your story in the comment section.

Scientists meet...

When scientists meet, many ideas are exchanged. People get excited and bring home new research ideas.

You can hold a small scientific meeting with your friends. Get together and present the research you have done since you last met. Have 10 minute formal presentations. Then, take a break, have a snack, and discuss the research. See if you get new ideas for more experiments.

Write an experimental design and submit it to your parents or other supervisors and see if you can do your experiment or another similar one. Remember, those in charge have many things to think about: the budget, time constraints, safety, among others, so, you might not be able to do your experiment, however, designing the experiment itself is fun. Try it.

Journal of Practical Education in Biology No.27 to No.48

"You are able to read the journal of practical
education in biology No.27 to No.48 [on] the following
webpages.
http://www004.upp.so-net.ne.jp/jissen/ejissen27.htm"

A Program of Assisted Migration—selectively moving Certain Species to New Locations better suited to their Survival

Here's a topic to think about. Use higher order thinking skills, stepping through the six levels as you explore this topic. Write about what you find out. Don't forget to cite your sources.

Source: In the news---Today (left hand column)

In the News provided by The Free Dictionary

If Virginia Woolf had written on Science...

Post under development. Check back in a few days.

If Virginia Woolf had written on Science...

A Lab of her Own

But, you may say, we asked you to speak about women and science—what, has that got to do with a laboratory of one’s own? I will try to explain. When you asked me to speak about women and science I sat down on the banks of a river and began to wonder what the words meant. They might mean simply a few remarks about Marie Curie; a few more about Rachel Carson; a tribute to the Barbara McClintock and a sketch of the now-gone corn fields under the snow-filled parking lot; some witticisms if possible about Miss Beatrix Potter; a respectful allusion to Flopsy, Mopsy and Peter Rabbit; a reference to Rosalind Franklin and one would be done. But at second sight the words seemed not so simple. The title women and science might mean, and you may have meant it to mean, women and what they are like, or it might mean women and the lab reports that they write; or it might mean women and the science that they do and what is written about them, or it might mean that somehow all three are inextricably mixed together and you want me to consider them in that light. But when I began to consider the subject in this last way, which seemed the most interesting, I soon saw that it had one fatal drawback. I should never be able to come to a conclusion.....

###

Well, you get the idea. The words in red are substituted for Virginia Woolf's words on women and fiction.

Please
feel free to post
comments below.
Also, check out the Creative Commons License below:

Thanks to http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/w/woolf/virginia/w91r/

A room of one's own

by

Virginia Woolf

eBooks@Adelaide
2004

This web edition published by eBooks@Adelaide.

Rendered into HTML by Steve Thomas.

Last updated Wed Mar 15 06:48:08 2006.

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Added 9-20-2008:
Woolf, Virginia (Stephen)

Asking Questions and Pursuing Answers

Keys to learning in science,as in all academic disciplines involves asking questions and seeking answers. In science, students can explore scientific phenomena via investigation and experimentation build essential scientific skills such as observing, measuring, replicating experiments, manipulating equipment, collecting data, organizing and reporting it.

When students choose what phenomenon to study or what investigations to conduct, and what experiments to do, with guidance from the teacher, they are more likely to remember the desired content. In addition, they are using critical thinking skills to formulate the questions. In this way, too, needs of students of various levels and backgrounds can best be accommodated.

Science is not so much studying history of science, rather, it is using historical scientific knowledge to build new knowledge. If students do this from their own starting points, the most overall growth can occur. Instead of gifted waiting and waiting for others and those less talented struggling and struggling while the middle group feels content or waits or struggles, each child can be in his or her own optimum learning environment.

(c) 2008 J. S. Shipman

Writing? Science research might be important to your story.

Here's an article with some ideas about the research underlying writing. Try writing a story that requires some science research.

http://www.writeandpublishyourbook.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=435&Itemid=10263

Here's a post on "storytelling" and teaching science. It might be useful as you write your own sciencebased story.

http://www.backyardnature.com/cgi-bin/gt/tpl.h,content=124

Alchemy, revisited

Alchemy is a pseudoscience that contributed to the development of the science of chemistry. Alchemy talks about creating gold. A newspaper article in the New York Times talks about making other metals look like gold by pitting their surfaces. Similarly, gold can be made to look black. Can you see an application for this science which falls into the realm of surface chemistry? Well, jewelry manufactures are very excited about it. Can you speculate as to why?

Write an essay comparing and contrasting alchemy and chemistry. Then, discuss ideas you find in the newspaper article telling what you think about them. Be sure to cite ideas from the paper. But, also include your opinions about the article and whether you think it is alchemy or chemistry.

Suggest a product you think would be made from the "new" gold. Then, summarize your essay and make a conclusion. Draw pictures if you like. A parent, guardian or teacher can post your essay in the comments, or post a link to it. Have fun writing!

Want to write?

Here's a source for grants. Anyone with information on this source, please add to comments and give us feedback on your experience.