Have you ever heard of HeLa cells?

This is an extremely interesting, controversial topic about cancer cells taken from a woman, Henrietta Lacks, and her cells are STILL used for cancer research today. Read the article to learn more...this will absolutely be included in the biology course for the 2011-2012 school year! I'm interested in incorporating the book by Rebecca Skloot, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" into my curriculum during my cancer unit. Let's get the book and see how it goes!

YOU are a scientist!!

I recently came across this post about a Lanternfly found in Borneo.


Could YOU be the first person to identify what the species of fly is actually is?

I have another one for you...every 3 years there is a massive reproduction of a bug that makes a shrill sound and is extremely loud...can you guess what bug this is? CICADA! As a child, you might have searched the trunks of trees to find Cicada shells. I once worked at a day care and the young kids loved to bring these shells to me, ew. Let's get one thing straight, I LOVE biology and nature, that does not mean I have to like bugs.

The size of a man's hand!

Anyway, have you ever wondered why these Cicada shells are on the trunks of trees? Take a look at this website to learn more about Cicadas and why they do, what they do! After, jump to this page and see the largest Cicada I've ever seen! EW!

A Midsummer Night's Dream...

Sitting on a rock on our way up to Lake Blanch!

Inside Timpanogos Caves

If you're looking for a basic summary of the Shakespeare play...you're in the wrong place.

One year ago, when I started to realize that college was about to end and real life was coming full steam ahead my best friend, Laura, and I decided that we needed to make this summer before real life amazing. We decided that visiting her brother, Robbie, in the gorgeous state of Utah would be the perfect end to college and beginning to real life. Both Laura and I had just read "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne, and discovered a part of ourselves that is very connected to mother nature and the beauty that surrounds us. With this new found love for nature and optimistic attitude, we set out to Salt Lake City, Utah, to spend hours outside taking in the scenery.

Beautiful view

Entrance to the caves!

We spent five days and six nights in Utah seeing all there was to see with the most amazing host! We hiked up a mountain to venture inside the Timpanogos Caves, hiked the Lake Blanch trail through vegetation and eventually snow, ran outside everyday, and visited the famous Temple Square. I had the most rewarding experience in Utah and learned much about myself as a person and a friend.

What I have discovered is that when you have the time to travel and see sights around your neighborhood, home state, country, world--TAKE IT! You will never feel more rewarded than when you accomplish something you set out to do.

Made it to the top of Lake Blanch!

Laura and I in the middle of a river

Scaling up Bridal Veil Falls!

Extreme hiking ahead!

We made it to the snow--now for the hard part!

Robbie taking it all in.

I love nature!

The beginning of an era...

I am just starting out this science blog for my 9th grade biology students to have a safe place to post ideas and questions about science in the world and what we are learning in the classroom. I've seen blogs be utilized in the classroom before, I think it's a great idea to keep students engaged and supportive of their education! Over the next month I'll be searching and posting about different science articles that are interesting, and should not be scrolled over. An example would be this article, which is about a man in Taiwan, who discovered a rare genus of spider while working in his furniture store. See! Science is all around us! YOU may be the person who discovers the next species of spider or orchid; keep your eyes peeled because science is everywhere!