Read this very interesting article from the NY Times by Nicholas Wade. It is based on information discovered in long lost letters from one of the principals involved in the discovery of the structure of DNA. It reinforces some of the more recently published information on how poorly Rosalind Franklin was treated by her fellow scientists.
Nicholas Wade DNA Rivalry Article
The article seems to support the story depicted in the 1986 movie, "Race for the Double Helix", in which Jeff Goldblum played James Watson and Timothy Pigott-Smith played Francis Crick.
In 1975, Anne Sayre wrote the book "Rosalind Franklin and DNA" in answer to the unflattering picture presented by James Watson's 1968 book "The Double Helix". More recently Brenda Maddox's book "Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA" resurrected interest in the role this female researcher played in discovering the structure of DNA.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Inspiring Teachers
The following is an interesting video posted on the White House's web site regarding efforts to improve STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education in the USA.
The video was "born" from a discussion of members on the president's council........."Those of us who have the privilege of serving on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology were talking about this recently and comparing stories about our own favorite and life-changing teachers, and we had an idea: Why not make a short video in which we could tell our stories, as a means of amplifying a message we were already developing about the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education?"
I think the opinions voiced in the video are true for any profession....we have followed the paths of our lives because at some point in our education a particular teacher made a personal, meaningful connection that inspired each of us. That teacher may have taught us English, History, Latin, or even Calculus....whatever they did they changed our lives.
My personal inspiration came from two of my high school science teachers at Fordham Prep....one I will name and the other shall remain nameless. My biology teacher, Mr. Cornelius McCarthy, made every biology class fun and easy, with his humor and skill at simplifying the difficult. On the other hand, my chem teacher on parents' night informed my parents that I was not bright enough to pursue science as a career. I just had to prove him wrong!
The video was "born" from a discussion of members on the president's council........."Those of us who have the privilege of serving on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology were talking about this recently and comparing stories about our own favorite and life-changing teachers, and we had an idea: Why not make a short video in which we could tell our stories, as a means of amplifying a message we were already developing about the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education?"
I think the opinions voiced in the video are true for any profession....we have followed the paths of our lives because at some point in our education a particular teacher made a personal, meaningful connection that inspired each of us. That teacher may have taught us English, History, Latin, or even Calculus....whatever they did they changed our lives.
My personal inspiration came from two of my high school science teachers at Fordham Prep....one I will name and the other shall remain nameless. My biology teacher, Mr. Cornelius McCarthy, made every biology class fun and easy, with his humor and skill at simplifying the difficult. On the other hand, my chem teacher on parents' night informed my parents that I was not bright enough to pursue science as a career. I just had to prove him wrong!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)