BONUS ACTIVITES FOR SCI 10-BB

Last Updated 01/09/2006

As I mentioned in class the first day of school, we'll be having opportunities for bonus points (20 points max).

The general mechanics go this way: you can do as many of the bonus activities as you wish, but I will record only the highest-scoring one. You must meet the due date and time or forfeit the points.

• Bonus Activity 1: "Observing Scientists at Work"
  
  Visit the 32nd Philippine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Annual Convention (1-2 December 2005) (see www.psbmb.org) and/or the 10th Natural Products Society of the Philippines Annual Convention at Escaler Hall and exhibits at the SEC Foyer B and C.

How do scientists present their work? How do the poster exhibits in SEC B foyer and the lectures at conventions like these illustrate the peer review process? What new ideas/insights did you learn about science and technology in the Philippines? What did you learn from the trade exhibits by scientific commercial companies at SEC C Foyer?

Let's get together at 3:30-4:30 pm on Wednesday, 7 December 2005, at Schmitt Hall's CH 205 (max of 24 persons) to talk about your impressions and refelctions (bring a max of one-page summary of your notes as "codigo," which I'll also collect).

• Bonus Activity 2: Lead the discussion on the previous Thursday's Star Science article in the Philippine Star. I'll collect your summary, reflection, and guide questions for discussion.

  Date of Discussion	Leader(s)	Article
  9 December 2005	Nina Rojas	"Alay Computer" in Paete, Laguna by Angel C. de Dios, 1 Dec. 2005; Article on 8 Dec. 2005
  6 January 2006	Wen Batocabe and Erick Habijan	Article on 5 January 2006
  20 January 2006	Edith Encabo and Ayee Macaraig	Article on 19 January 2006
  27 January	Jaymee Duran and Myra Yacapin	Article on 26 January 2006
  3 February	Kina del Castillo and Karizza Javier	Article on 2 February 2006
  10 February	Gianina Mendoza and Jason de las Alas	Article on 9 February 2006
  17 February	Agnes San Diego and Philip Don Recentes	Article on 16 February 2006
  24 February	Honey Cortes and Aritha Gozum	Article on 23 February 2006
  10 March	Alfonse Enriquez and Giselle Garcia	Article on 9 March 2006

• Bonus activity 3: Read "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fate of Human Societies" by Jared Diamond.

You may also read excerpts from this book that are in the reserve section under my name. Write a one-page summary on the following questions, and be ready to discuss them at the designated discussion time.

• Do you agree or disagree with Diamond that geography and environment dictated the direction of technology and of colonization? Why?
• Are Diamond's perspectives on the past applicable to our Philippine future in the global economy? Explain.
• After reading this book, what is your take on making our future? Explain.

Sign up for discussion tentatively scheduled for Friday, 10 February 2006, 4:30-6:00 pm, C-205.

• Bonus activity 4: "Angels and Demons" by Dan Brown
  
  Read Dan Brown's book, "Angels and Demons." Note the different characters' attitudes towards science and technology, what shaped their attitudes, and how these attitudes relate to their belief systems. Choose a character whose attitudes and beliefs most closely approximate yours or whom you empathize with the most, and write a one-page summary of this and why.
  
  Sign up for the group discussion (max of 24)  Let's get together (date and time to be decided in class, tentatively Monday, 6 March 2006, at 4:30 pm at C-205) and talk about the book and the character you chose. I'll collect your summaries as well.
   

• Bonus activity 5: BPI-DOST Science Awards and SoSE Outstanding Research Awards (8 and 10 March 2006, respectively)
  Attend the BPI-DOST Science Awards and/or the SoSE Outstanding Research Awards ceremonies and:
  • Give a brief summary of two research presentations that you listened to.
  • Compare the two in terms of the impact of the research on society, the science and technology content, and the quality of the presentation. Which made the greater impact on you, and why?
  • Did the presentations change your perspective on the science and technology capability of your fellow Ateneo students? Why or why not? If yes, in what way?

  Let's talk about your comments in an in-class panel discussion to be led by you on March 13, Monday.