Does Alex Lee I Biology Class Support Intelligent Design?

Does Alex Lee I Biology Class Support Intelligent Design?A music teacher recently asked me about Alex Lee I Biology class, and how he was teaching it. She said she was worried that her son is not doing well in the class and felt that he was being steered towards social studies when he should be taught about evolution. I'd like to offer a couple of observations about that issue. Hopefully they will help to guide parents in how to best address these concerns.First, I don't think evolution is 'distorted' in any way. It's a great theory that tells us about the origins of life on this planet. It's a theory that many people have enjoyed for many years and one that has been given an enormous amount of support in the scientific community. I personally love it. I've taught other classes that taught a little bit about evolution, but never came close to the breadth and depth of evolution in biology as I do in biology.I do think that there are some problems with evolution, though. One problem is that Darwinian evolution and Intelligent Design seem to be at odds.The reason that evolutionary theorists consider intelligent design in such negative terms is that the theory is highly speculative. Evolutionists are highly skeptical about intelligent design because it provides very little information about the history of life or its current state, and so there are many questions that are not answered by evolutionary theory.However, I've come to believe that in addition to the specific technical issues involved with the scientific aspects of evolution, there is something that makes evolutionary theory difficult to work with. I call it 'poetic license'. Poetic license is the idea that in addition to holding to established facts, even if they contradict one's own personal beliefs, evolutionists must also get comfortable with the idea that humans are similar to other animals.How could the evolution of an animal be different from that of a human? That would require a whole new approach to understanding the evolutionary process. It's almost impossible to do. However, as evolutionists we do feel free to entertain different ideas in biology.Parents' considerations about how to deal with evolution will probably be influenced by their own personal views and experiences. They may be interested in allowing their child to explore the possibilities offered by creationist theories. Parents should feel free to take steps that support their own personal views and values, rather than simply adopting their child's views on evolution.

Watch for These 7 Signs of Depression

Watch for These 7 Signs of Depression pexels.com 1. Changes in sleep If you’re sleeping more or you’re sleeping less often, this is a sign of depression. Monitor these changes and, if they persist, tell someone about them. According to Dr. Holly A. Swartz, professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, “sleep makes people function well, so the real problem is that for a depressed person, sleep isn’t restorative, and they aren’t refreshed or rejuvenated.” According to Dr. Joseph Calabrese, professor of psychiatry, individuals might also experience “psychomotor agitation,” which is essentially restlessness. 2. Your mind seems muddled If you’re having a hard time sticking to one thing, if your mind feels jumbled and you constantly have too many thoughts going through your mind and tend to be a little more forgetful than usual, this is another sign to watch out for. According to Dr. John Zajecka, professor of psychiatry at Rush University Medical Center, “One of the things people really need to be mindful of is how well they are functioning cognitively. Sometimes people can’t sit down for 30 minutes and watch TV or read or do anything that requires some focus.” Also be on the lookout for slow thinking, forgetfulness, decision-making problems and other signs of inattentiveness. 3. You’re worrying/thinking too much In case you didn’t know, there is actually a word for over-thinking: “rumination.” Rumination is bad for depression, as it can make it last longer or even increase an individual’s chance of becoming depressed. According to Zajecka, “With rumination, people basically get caught in a loop of replaying negative situations or looking at neutral situations in a negative way or over-analyzing things.” He continued in saying “A little self-reflection is good, but with rumination, someone can become very self-absorbed and they talk about the same things over and over again, which becomes tough on the people around them.” So this is essentially turning individuals’ friends and family against them, which will, in turn, make them more depressed, making it very dangerous. 4. Weight changes If you’re losing or gaining a lot of weight, this is a sign as well. Depression can cause individuals to either eat more or to eat less, which results in drastic weight changes. According to Calabrese, “Most people enjoy a good meal, and those who are depressed lose energy and interest, even in eating.” 5. You’re not engaged or expressive If you or someone you know is changing socially, meaning they were previously engaged and now aren’t any longer, they’re likely depressed. This is one of the big ones, as it’s very common with depressed individuals. And if they aren’t necessarily pulling back completely, pay attention to their attitude when they’re with others if they appear uninterested or have a flat look all the time, this is a sign as well and should be monitored. 6. You hurt a lot Depression, though a mental condition, can influence your body and create pain in the form of back aches, headaches, digestive issues, etc. According to Zajecka, “The pain is very real and some people may only see their doctors for vague physical pains and never get a diagnosis of depression when that’s the real problem.” The science behind this is interesting pain and depression actually share similar brain chemicals which travel nerve pathways so if you’re depressed, this can change your brain’s sensitivity to pain at those nerve endings. 7. It can be treated Just because you or a friend is displaying symptoms of depression does not mean it’s the end of the world; depression is very treatable. The problem is that it first needs to be diagnosed. According to Zajecka, “Depression is very common and there is good help. A person doesn’t need to suffer. They really aren’t alone.” So keep these symptoms in mind and be more aware of your surroundings. It’s time to change the statistics surrounding depression, and that change starts with you.

What to Do With Fruits and Veggies That Are Going Bad

What to Do With Fruits and Veggies That Are Going Bad Image via Food Pusher If you have berries â€" anything from strawberries and raspberries to blueberries and blackberries â€" you can turn them into a smoothie. Even bananas, think about all of the delicious possibilities. Look up a recipe online for the fruits that you have â€" keep in mind that you don’t always have to have the exact amount of fruit that is in the recipe. If you have too little banana for the given recipe, adjust the ingredients accordingly or add an extra spoon of sugar. This is where improvisation comes into play. Treat yourself to a face mask Image via Beauty by the Geeks According to Dr. Oz, you can actually turn bananas into a replenishing face mask. Bananas are actually great for hydrating your skin because of the moisture from potassium, as well as Vitamins C and E. This is a cheaper alternative to buying a face mask from the store, and the other pro is that it is indeed an all-natural alternative. A common recipe for a banana facemask is a combination of banana, honey, and orange peels. You can also create face masks from vegetables. Common store-bought face masks are made from cucumbers and avocados. These are also some vegetables that you can use for a face mask if you know they are about to go bad! Make jams or marmalades Image via Nellie Bellie This one can be applicable to all kinds of fruits â€" apricots, plums, apples, peaches, berries of sorts, and so on. Making jams and marmalades from real fruits at home, despite there still being sugar, is much healthier (and typically much yummier) than buying jams and marmalades from stores. By replacing sugar with honey, in many of these recipes, you can still get the factor of sweetness but in a healthier and more natural way. Make homemade frozen yogurt Image via Cookie and Kale This one is super easy! You can make all kinds of combinations of frozen yogurt. For example, if you have strawberries and bananas that are about to go bad, blend up as many of the fruits as you have (if possible, a relatively even ratio â€" so three cups of strawberries mean three cups of bananas). Mix this with plain yogurt, add a teensy bit of sugar, and freeze it until it’s the same texture and consistency as frozen yogurt. This is a great way to eat your fruit without having to worry about it going bad too because it’ll be kept in the freezer for whenever you’re craving a sweet treat. Clean your kitchen Image via Self Storage One Many all-natural, homemade cleaning products have lemon as a prime ingredient. For instance, a good way to get rid of the stench in your garbage disposal is by cutting up a lemon into smaller slices and tossing it down the garbage disposal. Make a deep conditioning treatment Image via Best Image Hair Some vegetables, such as avocados, can be used to create homemade deep conditioning treatments for your hair. According to the Home Remedy Shop, all you need is an avocado, honey, coconut oil, aloe vera juice, and lemon juice (all of which are commonly found in the average household). Replant them! Image via Pinterest Many times, fruits and vegetables that are going bad can just be replanted in your own backyard. What better way to make up for the lost money on a fruit gone bad than by replanting your own! It’s a great way to learn how to take care of plants of your own if you ever intend to have a fruit, vegetable, or herb garden. This is especially applicable to root vegetables such as potatoes. People tend to shy away from potatoes as soon as the outside starts to look funny, but that usually means that it’s just ready to grow another potato. It will take a little bit of patience, but appropriately planting the seeds from many of your fruits and vegetables that can no longer be eaten can alternatively save you a good chunk of money and give you a new kind of experience. Who said you can’t still utilize all the great things that fruits and vegetables have to offer even after they start to go bad?

Firstleap school

Firstleap school Firstleap school First Leap, established in Beijing in 2009, is already flourishing and expanding across China. Created to provide much-needed quality afterschool English training for children aged 2 â€" 12 years old, in a fun, motivating and entirely English speaking environment. Rather than teaching English as a subject, we teach different subjects in English, a method based on and incorporating several educational theories. Our curriculum is not only already developed, but each lesson has been pre-prepared and tested. Our classrooms feature smart board technology, a limit of just 10 students per class and a Chinese teaching assistant. Beyond the classroom, First Leap is the perfect opportunity to explore a foreign land and culture while maintaining a fulfilling and exciting job. Come to China to learn a new language, experience a new culture, taste a new cuisine, meet new people, improve your teaching ability or just spice up your life. When you join First Leap you join a community of almost one hundred other international teachers, as well as thousands of Chinese co-workers, all ready to support you, both in the workplace and out as you adjust to life in China. Interested? Contact us. We look forward to welcoming you to our team.

What Makes Us Different From Other Clinical Chemistry Technicians?

What Makes Us Different From Other Clinical Chemistry Technicians?As clinical chemistry technologists who specialize in the field of drug development, we often get asked what differentiates us from other clinical chemists. The answer to this question varies greatly depending on the chemistry background we have and the jobs we wish to do.To begin with, clinical chemistry technologists come from a variety of backgrounds. Not all of them work as clinical chemists, however. Those that do may be trained in other areas, such as biology, biochemistry, and pathology.So, to determine what distinguishes us, we need to know what the job opportunities are for these technicians. There are several types of clinical chemistry positions currently available, ranging from chemical engineer positions to technician positions to management positions. Of course, it depends on the hospital, but we will discuss a few of the most common ones here.Before we get into these positions, it is important to mention a few things about clinical chemistry. After all, this is where we specialize in the field of drug development, and we want to make sure we understand what that means.In this field, drug development is done by applying knowledge of chemistry and physiology in conjunction with knowledge of medicine. Pharmaceutical scientists and biologists are training to do this, as they learn the traits of both sides of the equation. These professionals also learn the anatomy of both the human body and the pharmaceuticals within it.Therefore, clinical chemistry technologists can work in a variety of laboratories and departments throughout a drug development company. This is because they are not just lab technicians, but also an integral part of the drug development process itself.Also, if you are interested in learning more about this field, it is important to remember that clinical chemistry positions also exist in other fields. If you are interested in learning more about other areas of the job market, including positions that involve pharmaceutical production and pharmaceutical promotion, check out some of the many resources available online.

Organic Chemistry Over the Summer

Organic Chemistry Over the SummerSummer is the time of year when taking Organic Chemistry over the summer will benefit you greatly. With the many exams that are required for school this is one of the most effective ways to study. A great many students will use their summer to take a refresher course in organic chemistry and learn all about the many chemistry components. Summer is also the perfect time to pick up a few basics of organic chemistry and implement them into your studies as well.The first thing you should do when summer is upon us is to create a schedule for when you plan to take chemistry over the summer. While this will be the easiest way to schedule it is not always the best approach. What you want to do is develop a general schedule which will allow you to study at your convenience and any time that you can do so. Most people will study during the summer months for several reasons: it is the time of year when they can go to school, there are so many chemistry courses t o take, and it is a very useful way to refresh your knowledge.Summer is also the ideal time to take a refresher course in organic chemistry, even if you already have some knowledge. At the beginning of the year, many students will take all of their general chemistry courses. These courses will typically have tests that will come up every few weeks or so, which can make your general knowledge of organic chemistry worthless. It is important that you take a refresher course to build your knowledge and increase your knowledge of chemistry.Summer is also the perfect time to start to understand what the major constituents of organic chemistry are. This can help you in your studies by helping you better understand how elements work and how different elements interact with one another. In addition, by understanding the different properties of these compounds it will give you more insight as to why they form in certain proportions or how they behave. This is important to all students who wis h to take Organic Chemistry over the summer.Ttaking organic chemistry over the summer When you are choosing what organic chemistry course to take this will generally depend on what you want to focus on. If you are taking chemistry over the summer for just general knowledge then you may simply choose a program that deals with the various chemistry components. For example, you may choose a science course that deals with food preparation, for a particular type of class that does not require any specific type of chemistry. It is also a good idea to find a class that is somewhat broad so that you will be able to familiarize yourself with the subjects you want to get into more in the future. Generally, a general course will have different elements of organic chemistry than a specific course.Summer is also the time to take a refresher course in organic chemistry. As mentioned above, you should always take a refresher course. There are many online classes available which give you an instan t refresher. Often, this will give you enough knowledge to begin taking a more advanced course or else, it will give you enough knowledge to begin taking a refresher course in organic chemistry. Many universities will offer these online courses in their classes, so if you are taking Organic Chemistry over the summer, then you should always make sure to consider an online course.There are many benefits to taking Organic Chemistry over the summer. Whether you are taking it for general knowledge or preparing to take more advanced courses, it is important that you make the most of the time that you have. Summer is a great time to learn all about organic chemistry and take a refresher course. If you take a refresher course, you will be able to improve your knowledge even further, which will help you get your certification and earn money while you are doing it.

Train Your Brain to Be More Productive [5 Proven Secrets!]

Introvert Whisperer / Train Your Brain to Be More Productive [5 Proven Secrets!] 5 Ways to Train Your Brain to Be More Productive Do you have trouble staying motivated? Find yourself losing focus whenever you try to get things done? If so, you’re not alone. A lot of us have a hard time concentrating and being productive. After all, it’s easy to get distracted. Whether it’s text messages, emails, or Netflix shows, there are so many things that threaten to steal your attention all day long. If you give into temptation, it’s easy to go entire days without getting a single thing done! Luckily, there are some strategies you can use to train your brain to be more productive. Instead of getting frustrated and giving up, try to enhance your brain power using these five techniques. You’ll be amazed by how well they work! 1. Exercise Your Brain The brain is a muscle. Just like your biceps and quads, it needs exercise. But, how do you exercise it? I mean, you can’t exactly lift weights with it or put it on the treadmill. No, you can’t. But, you can exercise it in other ways. Most cognitive function experts recommend games and puzzles, for example. Puzzles and games like chess give you the chance to use your brain in ways that you normally wouldn’t. When you work through a difficult puzzle, your brain’s neuroplasticity improves. This means that it has an easier time forming new connections between its different parts. As more nerve cells connect, you have an easier time thinking strategically, managing changes in your environment. Strategy and flexibility are some of the keys to productivity. If you can plan days, weeks, or months ahead while leaving room for change, you’ll be much more productive over time. Plus, games also help improve your attention span, language comprehension, short-term memory, and other cognitive functions. 2. Train Your Brain for Deep Work Most of us have trouble focusing on one thing at a time. With so many responsibilities and distractions, it’s hard to imagine sticking to one project for six, seven, or even two hours straight. But, you can’t harness the full potential of your mind without learning how to engage in deep work. Think about it: Greek philosophers used to sit and think about the same thing for days on end. When was the last time you thought about anything for more than a few minutes? The best way to start training is to just go for itstart an hour-long project and don’t stop until it’s complete. If that’s too hard, start in fifteen-minute intervals. Set a timer, take five-minute breaks, and get right back to work. Eventually, you’ll be able to focus on one task for hours without interruption. This skill is essential for people who have to get multiple things done every day. If you lack focus, you’ll find yourself switching from task to task without completing any of them. Make it a regular habit to engage your brainpower, and you’ll find you’re more productive. You might even wind up with some free time in the end! 3. Design Your Schedule Around Your Internal Clock Everyone has “peak brain” times. We’re all different, but everyone has an internal clock and accomplishes work better during set times. You should build your schedule around your peak brain hours. Working when your brain fires hot will help you get a lot more done. If you’re a morning person have a ton of energy between 8 AM and 12 PM, start early and hit the ground running. If your peak hours are after midnight, take care of your hardest tasks while everyone else sleeps! Take it from Jeff Bezos. The billionaire CEO (and probably one of the world’s busiest men), identifies 10:00 AM 11:00 AM as his peak performance hour. “I like to do my high IQ meetings before lunch,” he says, “Anything that’s going to be really mentally challenging, that’s a 10 AM meeting.” Furthermore, you should also avoid working when there are distractions around you. Instead of fighting against your internal clock, use it to your advantage. Unless you have a strict work schedule, structure your day so you can work during your most productive hours. 4. Practice Meditation You can also improve your brain cognition by practicing meditation techniques. Harvard researchers found that meditation reduces anxiety, increases mental clarity, and enhances memory. It’s easy to do, too. You can meditate almost anywhere, anytime. All you have to do is focus your energy on a particular activity, thought, or object. Over time, it’ll help you train yourself for heightened awareness. The goal of meditation is to achieve an emotionally calm and mentally clear state of being. Mental clearness can help you better retain information, make better decisions, and manage stress. If you experience less stress throughout the day, you’ll have an easier time getting things done. Try to implement a few minutes of meditation daily. You’ll be pleasantly shocked by how much it improves your life! 5. Rest Your Mind It’s important to exercise your brain. But, it’s essential to get some rest as well. Boost your brain power by taking short breaks throughout the day. Go on a walk, talk to a friend, or play with your day. You might even try doing something easy and creative like doodling or journaling. There’s no point in sitting at your desk and dragging through work just to get things done. If you’re exhausted and working at a turtle’s pace, what’s the point of pretending like you’re being productive? Breaks give a chance to get reinvigorated. That way, you can get back to work feeling inspired and refreshed! While they might seem like the enemy of productivity, breaks can actually help you get a lot more done!   Conclusion Your brain holds a lot of power. It’s in your best interest to train it, nurture it, and give it a rest when it needs one. Without a healthy brain, you’ll find that your productivity suffers. Instead of just using 10% of your brain, allow it to adapt and grow by using the five methods we just discussed. Exercise, meditation, rescheduling, and rest can all help you optimize train your brain for higher productivity. By caring for your brain and exercising it, you’ll be able to harness the power of your mind and get more done throughout your days. [Author bio] Joshua Kuykendall is the Business Manager of the Parq at Iliff Station community. He’s passionate about team growth and encouraging all to take customer service to the next level. He thrives off the challenges of managing a large community. Thinking of joining Parq? Expect nothing less than excellence from Joshua, and his staff. They work hard to create an environment that you can truly call home. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

3 Green Majors Students Should Know About

3 Green Majors Students Should Know About Green majors, or majors focusing on environmental issues, have become increasingly popular among college students. And for good reasonjob growth in the environmental sector has jumped in recent years. Today, colleges and universities offer exciting green majors to fit these job opportunities, such as geographic information science and renewable energy engineering. Here are three green majors that you should know about: Green major #1geographic information science An increasing number of colleges and universities offer majors in geographic information science. Geographic information science, sometimes called GIS for short, is a field that uses information technology to better understand the earth, including the people and natural processes that shape it. When it comes to careers, a person with GIS training might work as a cartographer, a surveyor, or in another role. You will create maps, reports, tables, and so on using GIS technologies such as digital mapping software to document how a natural environment or human space changes over time. These documents can be used to analyze and plan areas. Colleges and universities like the following offer reputable bachelors degree programs in GIS: Elmhurst College University of Arizona University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Maryland [RELATED: What I Wish I Knew About Picking a College Major] Green major #2environmental planning and design Another popular degree program is environmental planning and design. This field involves creating and managing environments that are both physically and culturally functional, allowing humans and nature to live in harmony. Degree programs in environmental planning and design are intended to prepare students for a job in the field. A bachelors degree in this field will provide individuals with knowledge and skills in engineering, environmental science, and other supplementary disciplines, like GIS. Environmental planning and design, and similar undergraduate majors, are offered by institutions like: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey University of Buffalo University of Iowa University of Southern Maine University of Virginia [RELATED: Tips to Develop Leadership Skills in College] Green major #3renewable energy engineering One of the fastest-growing career fields in the U.S. today is renewable energy. There are many job opportunities in this field. You might want to work hands-on as a technician or behind the scenes as a renewable energy technology developer. Or, you might want to sell renewable energy technologies to the public, the government, or corporations. A degree in renewable energy engineering can prepare you for a job in the renewable energy field. As part of this kind of bachelors degree program, you will learn about energy, environmental science, sustainability, and engineering. When youre in your final undergraduate year, you might be asked to develop a renewable energy project as part of a group to learn more about what its like work in the field. Some of the colleges and universities offering renewable energy engineering degrees, or similar programs of study, include: Alfred University Oregon Institute of Technology Pennsylvania State University [RELATED: How a College Minor Can Help Your College Major] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Why Focus on Leadership Skills - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Why Focus on Leadership Skills - Introvert Whisperer Why Focus on Leadership Skills? You may have noticed I have a focus on Leadership and I think many people think that means I only work with executives and managers.   I can understand the implication but there’s a bigger purpose for that focus which directly affects you â€" in a very big way. I focus on Leadership skills for two VERY important reasons: Exhibiting leadership skills is the fastest path to promotions â€" regardless of your position, level or career aspirations. Leadership is sorely needed in every group and is in seriously short supply. That’s why there are so many poor managers out there making life miserable for their subordinates. If you think about both of those goals it amounts to more pay, greater success and career satisfaction.   Who wouldn’t want those things?   We all do! Some people think getting a promotion is primarily a factor of time.   If you do your job long enough you will get more pay and a high position.   I won’t kid you; it is a factor as statistics reflect it even in businesses that have what they consider a meritocracy (pay for performance).   However, for those rare few people that demonstrate leadership skills, they accelerate the process of promotion. Why is promotion accelerated for people with leadership skills?   That type of person becomes a clear stand out in an ocean of “mediocre” co-workers.   In my 21 years managing at Intel and 9 years as a coach, I’ve observed that very little is different from one group to the next.   Very few people do anything to distinguish them from the others.   Most people perform the job and contribute little more than what I would call the “minimum” to get by.   Yes, most people want to think they are rock stars but rarely do anything to ensure they are. What I’ve said might sound negative or insulting but mostly it’s just a fact of life.   Its how “most people are most of the time”.   The good news is that with very little extra effort, you can be a standout rock star that managers dream of having in their midst.   You will make yourself easy to promote because you are doing things that are more than the bare minimum.   You are the dream employee and for that you will get richly rewarded. Hopefully, I’ve made my case.   Even if you have no aspirations of leading the charge, we all have times when we have to step up and be a leader.   Why not capitalize on leadership skills and give you paycheck and level a “lift”? Go to top Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.   Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer