STR1 EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT

Problem:

Alfred, Jeff and Ryan are working on a scientific investigation to prolong the life of man. They searched far and wide to gather promising samples either by confirmed by science or found in folklore. Ryan gathered the samples traversing the regions of the earth while Alfred and Jeff prepared their materials and searched for the equipment they needed in accomplishing this monumental feat. After six months, Ryan came back with a truckload of plants, animals and some nasty things. He approached Alfred with a disdainful countenance and asked, "Why did I have to go through this?!" Alfred and Jeff looked puzzled and were out of words. "One should not discount any possibility with simple prejudice in science," Alfred said knowingly as Ryan muttered. With the samples collected and materials and equipment ready, they were now ready to begin.

A year into experimenting each sample with lab mice, Jeff realized something was wrong but could not pinpoint what. His gut was telling him something he could not understand. "I should have listened more intently then I guess." Jeff said and shrugged of the feeling. Besides they successfully tried out all the various samples and have narrowed the candidates to a more manageable number of 10. While Jeff was rationalizing to himself, Ryan and Alfred were in deep thought. "We now just have 10 samples, all effective in varying degrees, but we can't pursue all 10. We already almost went bankrupt just testing the others", Alfred thought. Ryan was equally perplexed at the matter. He thought of several factors that could affect their life-changing decision such as effectiveness, side effects, taste and even marketability. "Science alone could not make us rich", he thought and chuckled lightly. Faced with a decision with innumerable factors, the three decided to solve it the "old fashioned" way - randomly select 3 from the 10 and keep the others in storage.

Two years have passed and they are no closer to their objective with no end in sight. Alfred, Jeff and Ryan have turned indifferent to each other. Lab work has just become rudimentary labor. Gone are the laughter and the horse-playing and the pranks. They couldn't give up because their pride wouldn't let them and yet every minute more becomes ever so less tolerable. Ryan thought of trying out the other samples in cryogenic storage, only to be disappointed that they have become unusable. Jeff began to question their methodology and read back back on their journals to no avail. Alfred seemed to be most affected as he has simply stopped talking. He wished for an end to an endless search without realizing the pursuit of science is a ceaseless journey to seek the truth.

Question:

Scrutinize the problem above and make an essay about your observations of the research. Include as well your opinion on the failures and pitfalls together with potential solutions to these problems. Write down CONCRETE and SPECIFIC steps they could/should have taken to prevent or mitigate their current circumstance. Avoid being too general or simple negation of they procedure as these arguments do not merit credit. Note that vague descriptions and plot are for open interpretation. Analyze and apply your understanding of research to see what went wrong. Lastly, is there any hope for them?

Minimum length of 1000 words (you'll consume more if you understand the problem). Due on Friday January 9, 2009 12pm. Email it at str1kawashima@gmail.com with the subject line "Section - Name - Color - Essay". Ill-formatted subject lined-messages are deleted. THIS IS INDIVIDUAL.

This is a 20-point optional quiz-equivalent.
(For example, it will increase your divisor from over 40 points to over 60 points, ie. 22/40 vs 37/60 given you get 15 points. If you decrease your actually percentage, the extra credit will not count, ie. 22/40= 55% vs 32/60= 53.3% if you get 10 points only)

STR1 Extra Credit Work

Sorry guys I've been on vacation for the past week and I happen not to have a decent connection there. Anyway I'll be posting this SINGLE PROBLEM assignment first thing tomorrow (because I just arrived now)

Continue enjoying your vacation! Don't worry this is EASY. Additional credit will be added to quizzes.
I PROMISE I'LL POST IT TOMORROW. Here's a clue, its not all about statistics!

Announcements for the Christmas Break

1. [STR2 Electron] Submit your final paper with results, discussion, conclusions and recommendations not later than 23:59 December 21, 2008 (+8:00 GMT). Later papers will be deducted 5 points per day late. Follow the format found here >> http://www.freewebs.com/pshsresearchunit/theresearchpaper.htm
2. [STR2 Electron] Interested parties for TAIWAN are enjoined to submit a short (less than 20 slides) and portable (small) Powerpoint presentation together with your final paper by Sunday, December 28, 2008. Indicate what results you have accomplished and what is still to be done. You may also be asked to go to school on December 29, 2008. MAYBE.
3. [STR1K] Submit your final proposal not later than 20:00 December 26, 2008 (+8:00 GMT) using the email address str1kawashima@gmail.com with the subject line SECTION - Group Color - Final Proposal (example:  Strontium - Red - Final Proposal). Make sure to SPELL OUT YOUR SECTION COMPLETELY. If you do not follow these guidelines, your email will be deleted.
   Follow the format found here for your proposal >> http://www.freewebs.com/pshsresearchunit/theresearchproposal.htm
4. [STR1K] Bonus Assignment will be posted here and emailed by Google Groups on December 26, 2008 after your submission. 

If you have any questions, please use the Google Groups facility to field your query. Moreover, if your PLURK, ask it there http://plurk.com/redeemByURL?from_uid=3267462&check=1741924150&s=1

Bring your manual on Monday

Remember to bring your STR manual tomorrow Monday, December 15, 2008.

Please submit your lab notebook and your complete and properly accomplished ISEF forms - deadline is December 15, 2008.

Download your RRL and Methods writeup from the ZIP file in the FILES section. Submit on December 26, 2008 8:00PM (20:00 +8:00 GMT). Make sure its good.

Up Next: Week of December 8-12

• Reporting by groups
• Problem Set HW submission
• Analysis of variance (ANOVA) definition, application and examples
• Chi Square definition, application and examples
• ANOVA and Chi-square HW
• More HW!

Hypothesis Testing

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STR2 Second Quarter Grades

Hello Electron! I have finally finished summing up your grades for the last quarter and they are not good. About 19 of you drop a step or two, or even four, 6 simply retained their grade, and 4 were lucky enough to climb a bit.

Please work harder and take my deadlines seriously. Moreover, please submit everything that is asked from you and do it on time. Do this and I promise you will not fail.

By the way, I suggest you click on the upper right button on the box below to view it easier in full screen.

STR2 Second Quarter - Upload a Document to Scribd

STR1 Second Quarter Grades

Please check out your grades on the embedded speadsheet. I hope you passed XD (Tip: Click on the upper right button on the box below to view in full screen.)

STR1 2nd Quarter Grades - Upload a Document to Scribd

Methodology example

I've uploaded a journal article in the STR1K Google group for your reference (It's about plant DNA extraction). Please downlaod the file "Puchooa.pdf" and see the "Materials and Methods" section. Note that this is in past tense because it has been done while yours will be in the future tense as you are still going to do it.

STR1 Google Groups

I finally decided to set-up a way to spam all of you. I've invited/added everyone whose email I know to the group, so please accept it.

Check out http://groups.google.com/group/str1k for our new group. 

RRL and methodology

I have finished checking, commenting and grading all your RRLs. I'm sorry I won't be able to return it by email tonight, but I promise you'll have it in your mailbox tomorrow. I will be mailing you back by groups, so I'm sorry if your groupmates will see your grade.

Our deadline on October 5, 8:00 PM is still a go. You have the entire week to do this. I suggest you pass your methodology early to avail of the bonus. However, there will be no bonus points for early RRL submissions.

Last thing, no oral presentations for the second quarter. We've moved it as a third quarter requirement because we have no more time.

Enjoy you looooooooooong weekend.

Methodology and Project Planning

Methodology

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Statistics in Research

Statistics in Research

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Revisions today!

Remember September 5? That's today. And today is the DEADLINE FOR MAJOR REVISIONS to the proposal. Submit until 11:59pm.

I did not return any final proposal because there was nothing major I had to edit. What I want submitted today are the things we talked group-by-group about your methodology. Easy right?

Given this definition of the deadline, it means that revisions can come anytime. I JUST EXPECT MAJOR ONES TODAY. Lastly, for those dramatically changing their projects, today isn't really your deadline.

Questions? BUZZ ME.

STR1 Grades

Rubidium, Sodium and Strontium - your grades for the first quarter are finished (but are not yet final final final). I said I would post it today but something happened to my internet connection (and it gave me time to recheck my calculations)

Before I post your grades (still deciding if I will write your name down), here are some statistics:

• No one got a 1.00
  
• The highest rounded-off percentage grade is 95
• There are 12 students in three sections who got a 1.25
• There are four who failed, with one of them getting a 5.0 because of non-submission of requirements
• Sodium has the best per section average of 1.833, followed by Rubidium with 1.848 and Strontium with 1.917. However, Strontium has the most number of 1.25's.
  

I have yet to post the scores due to certain circumstances, but for sure I will give you your unofficial 100% tally if you request for it personally on Monday.

Electron: Read this

Before you begin any of your project activities, you have to submit/comply/have with the following requirements...

1. Final Proposal
2. Network Chart and Task List. I will use this to track your milestones and see if your on track with the deadlines you yourselves set.
   
3. Research forms (get your copy from OJ) and research plan. Required forms are the checklist and forms 1, 1a & 1b. Fill out other forms as needed depending on the nature of your project. Please have these signed by your parent/guardian.
   
4. Data notebook. Please prepare a lab notebook (Record notebook in National) with a BLACK cover.
5. Lab gown. REQUIRED for all wet lab work
6. A copy of the Laboratory Rules and Policies from the STR unit. I will hand this to you this week.
   

Welcome to the Second Quarter

For Na, Rb and Sr: I'll be releasing your complete grades this week. I just have to finish checking all your portfolios. By the way, there will be some changes to our submission scheme beginning this quarter.

For my STR2 classes: Please remember our post-quarter deadlines...

For my homeroom, Electron: Welcome to the begining of HELL. Joke.
For Truth: It has been my pleasure teaching you for the first quarter. I hope [some of] you lose the attitude/discipline problem. Don't give your teacher a hard time okay?

Bullets kill people, bullet points don't

You have to browse through this at least once! Not just for STR but for dear life. Please stop killing your audience by time-dilation progeria.

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I've "bended" my policy on topic proposals

For the longest time now, I have always said that I will not simply spoonfeed you a topic. I believe that topic generation is a vital part of your [hellish] STR experience. However, given the state of topics and your seeming lack of enthusiasm to flood me with possible proposals, I have bended my policy somewhat. I have said to a number of my students that they have a sound framework but what they're proposing is just not novel anymore or its not that significant. I challenged them to think outside the box and refocus their topic. However, it seems everybody is bidding their time a little bit too much. For example, I have a student whose topic is promising - fish mucus. But fish mucus for antifungal creams is not novel anymore. In such cases I am willing now to brainstorm with you. However, if you suggested garlic for its antimicrobial properties, I cannot help you develop that because that is a dead-end topic already. If you want to consult on possible topics, especially if its on biology, molecular biology or any life science-related topic (modeling something related to biology) you can disturb me every day after 10:50 AM. Note that I will still not give you a topic outright, but I can help you develop it. Therefore, you must have something rather specific in mind already. For technology proposals, I highly encourage you to talk to Mr. Alcarez or Ms. Xavier for insights and comments. Talk to the teachers in field of your research interest. Float your topic with them and have their inputs. I promise you it will save you time and effort and most probably, you'll get your topic approved. Please please PLEASE flood me with more topics. More entries, MORE chances of winning! Our deadline for the final proposal is on July 23 or the Wednesday before periodicals. Today is July 3. Do the math. I am very concerned with the state of our STR2 classes. Right now, you only have 5% of your grade. No matter how much wrangling and consideration I put, 5% will not even give you a 4.0.

Topic Proposal Grades and Evaluation

I didn't include your names or sections, just try finding your proposal based on the title of the project. So far, there are too many E's for your own good.

Note that projects labeled "Rejected" mean you'll have to really defend it or radically change focus if you still want to pursue the topic. If your project is labeled "Returned" it means you'll have to develop your topic further or the framework is still shaky and needs clarification. Lastly, if its "Pending" it means I haven't found an expert to comment on your topic or your topic has not been discussed by the committee.

QUESTION: What does an "E" mean?

• If it's rejected, it mean "E-basura".
• When the proposal isn't really clear or has a shady framework, it mean "E-balik" for clarification.
• However, when the proposal is really bull, E means "E-wan", just like the grade you'll get,

STR2 Submissions Please

For topic research briefs, please continue to submit by email.

STR1 Submissions Here!

First Post

Hellow World.