Thursday, December 17, 2009

MYTHBUSTERS: the holiday edition


So this will be my last blog of the 2009 Fall Semester..As you all know I am subbing my life away. While subbing in a chemistry class this past week I was fortunate to watch Mythbusters which I have briefly heard about clicking through channels on TV. I did not realize how much this show is based on the great world of science! Normally students will talk and text during a movie, but this show held alot of their attention. It was a great pick by the teacher and I highly recommend it for any teacher taking a sick day in the near future!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Making Connections: NYS Lab.

So as if the assignments weren't piled on this semester, ;) in our computer applications class we had to make an educational video on a science topic. My group chose to make a "fun, yet educational" video describing the steps in one of the NYS required labs. We had a great time making the instructional guide to "Making Connections" and below is a nice link describing the build-up of lactic acid, which is one of the themes that the labs touches upon. I love how it incorporates the world of sports into it! Check it out!

http://www.exploratorium.edu/hockey/fitness2.html

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Science Fun in the Sun!

Before pursuing a career as a teacher, I wanted to pursue a career in Marine Science. I spent one summer interning at Atlantis Marine World out east in Riverhead, NY. I was a marine mammal assistant and worked with the animal trainers with the seals and sea lions. It was a great and enriching experience for me as an undergrad. I totally would have went through with it as a career, however the salary was 20K a year, aka (not financially stable enough for life on LI). So sadly, I gave up that dream for teaching, but I do hope that one day after retirement I will pursue that field again. Take a look at what Atlantis has to offer you!!!


www.atlantismarineworld.com

Definitely a great place to bring a class for an interactive day of science!!



Sunday, December 13, 2009

Teaching Neuroscience!

Being that I like to think of myself as a science educator, everyone has a preference when it comes to a particular topic that they like in biology. One of my favorites is the nervous system (which sadly is given a week tops in the curriculum which really saddens me.) Anyway, I try to make that the BEST week ever! (haha..sorry photosynthesis you just don't cut it for me.) The web site I will list below was used by one of my professors in college and I routinely check it for the "latest" developments in the neuroscience world. Check it out!

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html

Happy neuron firing!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Making a website..it really helps!!

Hello Hello!!
So I know I have been on the slacker spectrum of things in regards to maintaining my blog. But have no fear, end of the semester is here!! Which means its time to pick up the pace and update this thing!!

So I do have some real RELEVANT science updates. First on a personal level, in my computer application class we were required to make a website. I was initially totally put off by this idea. But after realizing that this was a requirement of my grade in my class I really had no choice but to complete it. With help from a fellow and patient colleague, I actually got into making my website. I left class feeling accomplished and proud of my pretty lame, (but functional!) website. While in school the next week I was approached by a couple of students taking AP Biology. There exam...on glycolysis and the Krebs cycle...KILLER! Being that I just completed a website and had featured a few links on the exact topics I showed them my website!! I saw them a few days after their test and was delighted that they had done well and that they liked the links I showed them. You can find them below.

http://www.johnkyrk.com/glycolysis.html
http://www.johnkyrk.com/krebs.html

Have fun sharing those ATP's!!! ;)

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Great website for those who are teaching!

So the school year is chugging along quite nicely and since this is supposed to be a blog that is continously updated and somewhat science related, I have a great website that biology teachers can use.

www.explorebiology.com is AMAZING...the teacher behind this website is clearly dedicated to her craft and I can only imagine that her students must think the world of her as well.

so check it out..lots of powerpoints and other useful tools to use in your biology classroom!!

and if your wondering..

still jobless, but subbing!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

2009-the year of the resume.

This blog will chronicle the daily amusements of my unemployed life.

It wasn't always this way though.

About a year ago when this whole economic crisis began I was the one laughing at my dining room table counting my blessings as I read the NYPost before beginning my day-long ritual of grading labs. Although I had taken a position as a leave replacement, I was warned it would either be 6 months to a year. I was banking on the year. This of course was not the case.

But I wasn't freaking out at that point. How thrilled I was when my "real responsibilties" consisted of showing up to work an hour and a half later then normal (because there was no need to haul ass to be the first person at school to make sure I was hard at work at 630am.) I have to say I actually enjoyed subbing. The fact that I could meet different students everyday enlighted me and I had resumed staying up past 830pm.

My game plan was to "take it easy" for a few months (while still actively participating in the job search) and be set for September. But living on an Island where there are only so many school districts and so many "openings," I struck out.

I have yet to start subbing, but until then I managed to snag a coaching job. That has kept me from feeling like the ultimate reject. I mean everyone knows when you tell them "I didn't get a teaching job they either think a) well they probably don't have what it takes or b) the give you that look of pity that says "I'm glad I'm not in your shoes."

Well here I am a year later, sitting at the same dining room table, having the last laugh afterall.