FLOW Movie

The movie FLOW is about our finite water resources and how we can preserve them better. This film opened my eyes to how I viewed water conservation, and made me realize that as beings on earth, we need to be responsible and take care of the planet instead of using resources as if they are unlimited. Part of the movie focused on how Nestle Waters is taking advantage of water in certain regions and therefore damages the environment. Although this is mostly true, the audience of the movie must keep in mind that the movie was created by activists that have a bias, and that Nestle Waters’ point of view was not represented. Click this link to see Nestle’s response to the FLOW movie: http://www.nestle-watersna.com/en/Nestle-Water-News
It is true that there are many cases where water companies abuse resources (similar to Nestle Waters) and people begin to ask how we can end the unjust actions of these companies; after all, these businesses have a considerable amount of influence in society. As influential as businesses seem, the consumers – regular, average citizens – have the potential to hold more power than any company.
Corporations would be nothing without their customers; this is why I believe that the consumers have the most power to create change. If the consumers are educated about how industries are negatively impacting the environment, then the idea to amend certain injustices can be put into action.

Learn more about FLOW here: http://www.flowthefilm.com/takeaction
If you would also like to sign a petition to support FLOW in addressing the United Nations, click the following link: http://article31.org/

Exploring the Characteristics of Water

Water is a vital resource that we utilize in our everyday lives, and has certain characteristics that make life possible. The video below explores some of these traits in a surprisingly simple experiment that anyone can perform at home.

 

BLOG POST #1

The virtual dissection of a forearm made possible by zSpace. Photo found at http://www.core77.com/gallery/core77-design-awards-2012/195.asp

Over this past summer, I had the opportunity to attend Stanford EXPLORE, a biology lecture series held at Stanford University. In the summer before my junior year, I signed up for Cancer/Immunology; I decided to switch up the topic this year and selected the Cardiovascular/Stem Cell Research. This program is very helpful for students who are interested in biology and are considering it as a career path.

What I like about Stanford EXPLORE is that it does not simply consist of lectures; students get the opportunity to engage in activities and work with new technology. Cardiovascular/Stem Cell Research students had the chance to experiment with augmented reality through zSpace. This technology is essentially a monitor with sensors attached; a student would use 3D glasses and a “pen” that the sensors detect to virtually anatomize the human body. In addition to this, we also got to work with instruments that medical students use to train for performing surgeries.

Stanford EXPLORE is a fun, interactive program, and I encourage anyone who is thinking about pursuing a career in biology to attend it! The learning experience that you will gain from it will be valuable.

The Lecture Series is about $750 per session; a session lasts 5 days, Monday – Friday from 9am – 12pm. There are four weeks, each one offering a different topic to be discussed. You can sign up for as many weeks as you like! If you are interested in financial aid for this program, you can email the EXPLORE program for a financial aid application (explore-series@stanford.edu).

Click the link below to see how last year’s Notre Dame AP Bio class got the opportunity to go to zSpace headquarters!

http://apbiorockstars.blogspot.com/2014/05/zspace-blows-our-minds-with-augmented.html#links

If you want to check out the program and learn more details (so you can attend it too!), click the following link to the Stanford EXPLORE page:

http://explore.stanford.edu/

 

MLA CITATIONS:

Stanford University. “Stanford EXPLORE: A Lecture Series on Biomedical Research For High School Students.” Explore. Stanford Medicine, 2014. Web. Aug. 2014.