Jan. 2017: Dr. John Bargh, Professor of Psychology at Yale came to speak to the group about how the human subconscious mind influences behavior, including the perceptions of females in math and science. Dr. Bargh gave each club member a copy of his cover story in the Scientific American.
May 2016: Dr. Ralph Yulo Jr. joined us to discuss local ecosystems. Dr. Yulo earned his PhD from Harvard University in Science Education. He taught science at Eastern Connecticut State University for over 25 years.
Jan. 9th: We had a great time at a "Movie Meeting" watching Hidden Figures
March 2016: Laura Cisneros, who has a PhD and works in the Dept. of Natural Resources and the Environment at UCONN, came to talk to us about her career path. She presented a small presentation which explained the NRCA, to which she is the program coordinator. The NRCA (Natural Resource Conservation Academy) was created to get young adults involved in the environment and engaged in learning about conservation and land use through a variety of topics. She also spoke about her job as an ecologist, and the path she took to get there. Interested in applying for the NRCA? Check out the website at www.nrca.uconn.edu for more information.
December 15th, 2015: Joseph MacDougald among many titles is an Executive Board Member of the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA). He will be coming to talk about this organization, which is partnered with UCONN, and his role. CIRCA is basically an organization that brings people together to find solutions to problems due to climate in the immediate area. The mission of CIRCA is "to increase the resilience and sustainability of vulnerable communities along Connecticut's coast and inland waterways to the growing impacts of climate change on the natural, built, and human environment."
February 24th, 2015: We had the teen librarian from the Guilford Library discuss a community service science project that involves working with kids and science at the library that can be used for community service hours. Also, she brought in examples of 3D printed objects and circuit building kits.
December 9, 2015: On December 9th, D.A.Y. presenters came to the meeting to talk about drug and alcohol use. These are some of the things they talked about:
90% of addictions start in childhood/ adolescents.
At different ages in life the mainly used part of the brain differs. For example, a teenager may use one part of the brain extensively, while their five year old cousin uses another part of their brain more often.
Synapses are neurotransmitters that transfer chemicals through the neurons of the brain.
Different drugs and other substances produce different effects on the body, such as the number of impulses sent, blocking/opening of receptors, the release of transmitters without an impulse, and keeping vesicles of the body closed.
Nicotine binds to the presynaptic neuron and triggers dopamine release.
Dopamine causes euphoria
Alcohol binds to receptors (GABA receptors)
GABA is inhibitory and allow chlorine ions into nerves causing hypolorazation
9% of marijuana users become dependent
1 in 6 adolescents become addicted to marijuana
25-50% of daily users become dependent on marijuana
Cannabinoid receptors are located to throughout the brain
Influence reaction time by drastically slowing the reaction time down
Sensation and movement cannabinoid receptors are being affected when on marijuana which is why people who are on it do not want to do anything
Use of marijuana decreases axonal fiber connectivity, which impairs brain development
The use of marijuana decreases a person’s IQ
Project purple was created to raise awareness of drug and alcohol abuse
February 11, 2015 On Tuesday February 11th we visited Dudley Farm to learn about the Dudley Farm history. We also discussed possible seeds to plant for our section in their garden, which will be planted later this year!
November 19th
On Tuesday November 19th we learned about the concerning decline of bees in our world by watching a Ted Talk by Marla Spivak. As a result of this Ted Talk, our club will take on the challenge of helping to support the local bee population. If you would like to view this Ted Talk, please visit the webpage below: http://www.ted.com/talks/marla_spivak_why_bees_are_disappearing.html
October 8th
Rachel Holmes, Forester Club members went on a tree identifying scavenger hunt, while enjoying some great pastries from New Haven as they worked!
January 29th
On Tues. Jan 29th we hosted Dr. Linda Niccolai, who is an associate professor in the division of epidemiology of microbial diseases in the department of epidemiology and public health at Yale University School of Medicine and is the deputy director for Yale School of Public Health’s Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS.
January 3rd Welcome Students to a Winter Wonderland:
When school resumes for Sandy Hook, it will be in a new building. Parent-volunteers are working to ensure that the students are welcomed back by a winter wonderland with the entire school decorated with as many unique snowflakes as possible.
We will be making beautiful, scientifically-crafted crystal snowflakes to support the Sandy Hook Elementary School Students
Tuesday January 10, 2012 Presentation by Ms. Beth Patrizzi Guest Speaker: Ms. Beth Patrizzi, researcher at Cedar Island Marina Research Laboratory; Adjunct Professor at Quinnipiac University. Cedar Island Marina Research Laboratory activities include marine research, consulting, and environmental education. We regularly perform studies on water quality, finfish, aquaculture, and benthic invertebrates. The Research Lab has authored studies with organizations such as the UCONN Sea Grant Institute, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Southern Connecticut State University, as well as many other public and private entities. All of our lab's scientists have a minimum of a 4 year degree in marine science. The CIM Research Lab is involved in research projects involving: Monitoring Basic water quality characteristics (Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen and Salinity) of Clinton Harbor, Long Island Sound.
October 2011 Shelly Green - GHS Graduate, The Nature Conservancy