Why Rand Paul has no friends

By: Bella Dalba

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky appeared to stumble recently when he stepped into a controversy over vaccine mandates: but, surprisingly, that wasn’t his biggest blunder of the night. During an interview with Kelly Evans of CNBC, Paul became defensive when pressed on his proposal to give companies a temporary tax break to bring profits currently held overseas back to the United States. When Evans asked Paul about research showing that such a tax holiday would actually cost the U.S. Treasury more in the long run than it gained, he subsequently cut her off. "That's incorrect. Your premise and your question is mistaken," Paul interjected. "Once again, you're mischaracterizing and confusing the whole situation."

Paul, who has teamed up with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) on the proposal, wants to fund infrastructure improvements with the short-term surge in tax revenue, as U.S. multinationals bring home profits now sitting overseas. Last year the Joint Committee on Taxation pointed to earlier so-called “tax holidays” to conclude that a similar proposal would cost the government money, in part because companies would simply hold future profits outside the United States in anticipation of another one-time tax break.

The Kentucky senator argued on CNBC that his proposal would solve that problem by providing for a five-year tax holiday that could be renewed if there was a net gain in revenue. He also said that he supported permanently lowering the tax rate on repatriated corporate profits.

Paul referenced a study on how much money a similar initiative had brought home in 2005. But when Evans interrupted to explain that she was discussing long-term costs, Paul shushed the reporter and told her to "calm down."

"Let me finish. Hey, Kelly, shhh," Paul said, as he raised a finger to his lips. "Calm down a bit here, Kelly. Let me answer the question."

“I have a piece of advice for aspiring presidential candidates: Don’t ‘shush’ female reporters while telling them to ‘calm down,’” says Mackenzie Lamb, a senior in the AP Government and Politics class at Seckman High School.

Evans apologized later in the interview, but it didn't get much better after that. When she asked about a Washington Post article that described how Paul received his ophthalmology board certification from a startup medical board composed of family members, the senator again accused her of asking a misleading question. As Evans tried to clarify that she was interested only in the potential conflict of interest, Paul began talking over her. "You've taken something and you've twisted it," Paul said. "You've taken an interview and made an interview into something where we've got no useful information because you were argumentative and you started out with many suppositions that were incorrect."

        The exchange quickly became news, as critics questioned whether Paul would have treated a male anchor the same way. Many took to Twitter to voice their concern, accusing Paul of attempting to contemptuously "mansplain" his position to the female reporter. “His performance is a master class in being patronizing. Overt ‘mansplaining’ is not a great idea for a candidate of a party known for missing the mark on women’s issues,” wrote Lark Turner, an author for Refinery29.com.

The increasing backlash suggests that he would face an uphill fight in appealing to women voters if he decides to run for president in 2016. “I think it’s a safe bet that Rand Paul won’t be the Republican presidential nominee,” predicts Lynn Price, the AP Government and Politics teacher at Seckman High School.

Renewable energy: now more than ever

By: Josh Leach

Fossil fuels are not a sustainable source of energy.  They produce pollution and release greenhouse gases into the air, contributing to Global Warming.  Furthermore, these reserves are limited and will run out eventually.  Changing over to renewable energy sources is inevitable.

Biofuels are the simplest alternative to gasoline.  Biofuels are certainly not new.  Josh Kurosz, a senior at Seckman High School, said, “If we’ve had biofuels for so long, why haven’t they been used?” Well, actually, according to National Geographic, “Biofuels have been around as long as cars have. At the start of the 20th century, Henry Ford planned to fuel his Model Ts with ethanol, and early diesel engines were shown to run on peanut oil.  But discoveries of huge petroleum deposits kept gasoline and diesel cheap for decades, and biofuels were largely forgotten.  Much of the gasoline in the United States is blended with a biofuel—ethanol. This is the same stuff as in alcoholic drinks, except that it's made from corn that has been heavily processed.”  The down side to using biofuels is that even though they are renewable they produce many of the same greenhouse gases as gasoline.  Also, since many biofuels require large fields of corn or soybeans, they cut into food production.

Many scientists and engineers believe hydrogen is the ultimate energy source.  Hydrogen is combustible and can be used as a fuel, but can also be used to generate electricity.  It is also a completely clean source of energy.  After hydrogen combusts, water vapor is produced.  No pollution comes from using hydrogen. Renewableenergyworld.com says, “Hydrogen is high in energy, yet an engine that burns pure hydrogen produces almost no pollution. NASA has used liquid hydrogen since the 1970s to propel the space shuttle and other rockets into orbit. Hydrogen fuel cells power the shuttle's electrical systems, producing a clean byproduct, pure water, which the crew drinks.”  Renewableenergyworld.com goes on to explain the various production methods of hydrogen fuel.  “Hydrogen can be separated from hydrocarbons through the application of heat, a process known as reforming.  Currently, most hydrogen is made this way from natural gas.  An electrical current can also be used to separate water into its components of oxygen and hydrogen.  This process is known as electrolysis. Some algae and bacteria, using sunlight as their energy source, even give off hydrogen under certain conditions.”  Abby Aldridge, a senior, says, “Hydrogen sounds great.  Why don’t we convert everything over to hydrogen power?”  The only downside to hydrogen fuel is that its production has not yet been perfected.  Production techniques are inefficient and costly.

The search for alternative energy sources has been going on for a century.  Oil reserves are being depleted, and the extraction of these reserves leaves the environment scared.  Solar power, thermal energy, biofuels, and hydrogen power are just a few possibilities.  The need for sustainability has never been more pressing.  

How to make new paper look old

By: Sadie Raddatz

Need something new and creative for a project? Or want to add a new twist to a photo? Flames work great. Warning: be careful!

Materials:
- Paper (letter, photograph, etc.)
- A candle or lighter

1. Work over a sink. If you accidentally light the paper on fire, you can just drop it into the sink.
2. Light a candle, or try to find a lighter. If you're using a lighter, please consider having another person hold the flame while you handle the paper.
3. Burn the edges. This will create the antique look on the paper. Warning: Do not put it too long on one place by the candle. You don’t want to catch the paper on fire. Do not put the flame directly onto the paper. You want the heat of the flame to darken the paper.
4. If you want little holes in the paper, put the paper around an inch above the candle or lighter and just hold it there. When there is a small flame on the paper, blow on it. Repeat this step until you have all the necessary holes you want, but be careful to not add too many, or it will be hard to decipher.

It only takes four easy steps to make a photo look distinctive and it's very creative way to add a new and fresh, yet vintage and unique, look to anything.

Top tips for job seekers

By: Janese Watson

At this point in their lives, many teenagers are searching for their first job or maybe it’s not even their first. Either way, getting a job isn't as easy as it may seem. You first must go through an interview, which really shows the person hiring you if you’re right for the job or not. Interviews are a very important thing because it’s a meeting to determine if you fit everything that job is looking for. “My first interview made me really nervous. I didn’t know what to wear or even what to say,” says Allie Crow. This article explains everything you'll need for an interview. 

To start out the interview, you must be dressed appropriately. When going to a job interview, your appearance is extremely important. Whether you look professional or sloppy can play a huge roll in what their decision is. It’s your chance to make the first impression perfect. “I never know if what I am wearing is the right thing to wear,” says Maryann Heeps. When first deciding what to wear, you have to find out what the company’s employees wear on a daily basis. Do they dress in a suit and tie every day or in a t shirt and jeans? Once you know these things you can start picking out your outfit for the big day. Match the interviewer; if he/she is casually dressed, don't go wearing a suit. If they are wearing a suit, don't go wearing shorts and flip flops. Whatever you decide must be clean. No one wants to interview someone wearing wrinkled, dirty clothes. Always make sure your clothing fits properly and try to leave off any flashy jewelry. It’s always nice to smell good, but never spray too much perfume. Wearing a solid color versus a pattern makes you look more professional, so keep that in mind.  Dressing to perfection is an important thing.

When meeting the person who is interviewing you, you always want to give him/her a firm handshake. Also, no one wants to shake a sweaty hand so make sure you keep that under control. “I never know when to sit down,” says Senior Christian Ryan. The interviewer will soon ask you to take a seat. Do not sit until spoken to. When sitting, sit up straight, cross your legs, and maintain eye contact. The interviewer will ask you questions about the job. Always know your answers. Study before you go in so you know exactly what to say for any question they could possibly ask you.

Try your hardest to ask your own questions. Employers like to see their employees showing interest in what they do. Be curious and use the interviewer to get to know the job a little better. After your interview, it's always nice to send a thank you note just to say thank you for their time. This will also show them that you care enough to get the job. Before you leave, make sure to ask them how long it may take for them to have the results. Don’t pester them, but you can still ask. If they haven't called by two weeks then you can always reach out to them. Good luck to all of you trying to find a job, and hopefully these interview tips help in the nearby future. 

Homemade rock candy

By: Sadie Raddatz

Materials:

3 packages Kool-Aid
12-18 cups of sugar
6 cups of water
Any color professional decorating food coloring
A large pot
A funnel
8-10 bottles or glasses
8-10 clothespins
8-10 wooden sucker sticks

Instructions:
1. Once all of the supplies have been gathered, wet down the ends of the sucker sticks.

2. Roll them in sugar to coat. This gives the dissolved sugar something to adhere to.

3. Use the clothespins to position the sticks where you would like them. They will hold them in place. Make sure that the bottles are thoroughly cleaned and residue free.

4. Over the stove, pour the water into the pot.

5. Add a cup of sugar, stir constantly. Keep adding sugar until you are at a 2:1-3:1 ratio of sugar & water. You always want to make sure you have enough sugar. Keep adding sugar until the water has developed a white cloudy surface to it.
6. After you remove the mixture from the stove, you can add the Kool-Aid. You will need 3 packages of Kool-Aid.

7. Add the food coloring. Stir thoroughly.
8. Use the funnel to carefully pour the mixture evenly into bottles or glasses.

9. Then very carefully place the sugar coated sticks back into the bottles.
10. Place them on a windowsill with lots of light. Do not let them get too cold because it will take longer. Let them rest for seven days and gradually watch them grow.

This is a delicious and colorful way to show you care for someone. On the sticks, you can wrap bows with message attached. Find a nice small vase and make a beautiful rock candy bouquet. It’s pure sugar, so eat wisely.

The brilliance of Agent Carter

By: Bella Dalba

Even with Avengers: Age of Ultron set to hit theaters in May, Agent Carter is receiving most of the attention. As the first major Marvel production to feature a female lead, the superhero franchise has tapped into a new demographic, one that was previously underrepresented in their industry: women.
Set after the events of 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger, Agent Carter follows Peggy Carter, Captain America’s love interest, as she navigates 1940s New York City. Rampant with sexism and discrimination, the show finds Carter working as a double agent for the Strategic Scientific Reserve – a precursor to S.H.I.E.L.D -- as well as undergoing secret missions for Howard Stark (Tony Stark/Iron Man’s father).
The series is rather smart: it combines the current vogue for female empowerment via pseudo-historical fiction (Game of Thrones, Mad Men) with an ingenious customer-retention strategy (filling the consumer demand for a female-driven Marvel project) with a built-in audience from a hot property (Captain America). It also manages to address—not to say “pander to”—feminist concerns. “This show has been long overdue, and you can tell by the massive response from the fanbase that this isn’t a one-time deal,” says Amanda Michelle Steiner.
It’s 1946. World War II is over. Captain America is missing, presumed dead. Agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) is leaving the world of superheroics, and returning to work for the Strategic Scientific Reserve, where she is treated poorly. This coincides with women being pushed out of the workforce—which they had successfully claimed while the men were away at war—to give jobs to returning GIs. The parallel is duly noted.
Soon, as the laws of comic book narrative dictate, a shadowy conspiracy of supervillains begins stealing superweapons. To retrieve them, Agent Carter must go undercover and/or above her sexist bosses’ heads, which requires both a double life and a sidekick. (The sidekick is Jarvis, a British butler who becomes the eventual inspiration for the computer program named JARVIS, which runs Tony Stark’s mansion. The program will be a central character in the next Avengers film.)
“Now that fans have been given a female-led TV show, the logical next step is to make a female-led movie,” says junior Orion Zmashenski. “Honestly, we’re all hoping Marvel will finally give Black Widow a turn in the spotlight.”
Given Marvel’s influence, it’s perfect that Agent Carter has feminist ambitions, a strong female lead, even some understanding of women’s history. This is what the “representation” part of feminist analysis is good at demanding: if these entertainments are going to be ubiquitous, they had better not be harmful. Marvel already does this with political parties: Iron Man 2 is about a billionaire CEO who fights nobly to keep the government and the “liberal agenda” from restricting his business practices, and Captain America 2 is about a working-class veteran with PTSD who fights nobly against government surveillance, civilian profiling and drone warfare. These two franchises are so clearly targeted to Republicans and Democrats, respectively, that they might as well run against each other in 2016.
More seriously, though, Carter boasts both a force and a fanbase to be reckoned with. After being featured in Captain America: The First Avenger, Atwell's presence was so captivating that Marvel bet on her to run a series herself. Like Clark Gregg's Agent Phil Coulson, who leads Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Atwell's relatively minor role in the canon quickly made her a fan favorite. If her appearance in Captain America wasn't enough to win you over, Carter surely will.
“Agent Carter is the kind of show [Marvel fans] have been waiting for. Not only does the show give us some background into the foundations of S.H.I.E.L.D., Howard Stark, and the time period that influenced Steve Rogers, but it also showcases the role that women have played in the success of the superhero genre: even among fans, women are actively discriminated against. This show kind of changes everything,” says Racheal Amelung, a former SHS student.

The truth about e-cigs

By: Dorian Jenkins

Electronic cigarettes are also known as e-cigs. The e-cigs are battery operated devices designed to help someone quit someone by breathing in vapor instead of cigarette smoke. They deliver the nicotine to the users by vapor instead of smoke, while adding flavorings and other chemicals. E-cigarettes can be manufactured to resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes, cigars or pipes, or even everyday items like, pens or USB memory sticks. Newer devices, such as those with fillable tanks, may look different, however. More than 250 different e-cigarette brands are on the market today. A sophomore at Seckman High School, Jack Weindel, says, “I see students smoking different flavors, and different types of e-cigarettes…all the time.”

While e-cigarettes are being promoted as healthier and a better alternative to smoking than traditional cigarettes, many health risks of using these devices are unknown. Most e-cigarettes consist of three different components, including: a cartridge, which holds a liquid solution containing varying amounts of nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals, a heating device (vaporizer), and a power source (usually a battery). In many of the e-cigarettes, puffing activates the battery-powered heating device, which vaporizes the liquid in the cartridge. The resulting vapor is then inhaled, known as “vaping.”

E- cigarettes have become very popular with teenagers. Most students do not know much information about the e-cig; however, they believe that it is not bad for you and is known as the “cool” thing to do, which just isn’t true. A senior at Seckman High School, Dillon Jenkins, says, “I have smoked an e-cigarette before because I was told that it was the ‘cool’ thing to do at the time; however, I now realize that it is not that cool and it seems just as nasty as smoking a regular cigarette.”  

E-cigarettes are designed to simulate the act of tobacco smoking by producing an appealingly flavored aerosol that looks and feels like tobacco smoke and delivers nicotine but with less of the toxic chemicals produced by burning tobacco leaves. Because they deliver nicotine without burning tobacco, e-cigarettes appear as if they may be a safer, less toxic alternative to conventional cigarettes. That’s just not the case. Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, says, “In the absence of any meaningful regulation, the e-cigarette manufacturers have acted as if it’s the wild, wild West, with no rules and no restraints,” Myers said. Their advertising is exactly the same type of advertising that made cigarettes so appealing to young people decades ago.

Much research still needs to be done on e-cigarettes in order to determine exactly how harmful they are to your body. Many people have said that the e-cigarette has helped them to stop smoking regular cigarettes. Even though it helps people stop smoking, this does not necessarily mean it is good for you.  

How to snag a valentine

By: Janese Watson

            It’s obvious that Valentine’s Day is around the corner and I’m sure you want to ask that perfect someone to be your valentine. Some people are just unsure how to do it. “My problem is always how to ask the person,” says Christian Ryan.  Do you just ask or actually put thought into an idea to really get that yes you want? There are plenty of cute ways to make your valentine feel special. This article is for those people who need a little boost in their ideas. The perfect idea can lead to a perfect yes!

            There are a lot of ideas to look at if you’re trying to find a way to ask someone to be your valentine. One idea could be buy a blank puzzle, write “Be my Valentine” on it, and let the lucky lady (or gentleman) put the puzzle pieces together. Some flowers and favorite candy would be a nice extra touch. A person can't say no to an idea like that.

Another idea most people love is surprising the crush with balloons up to the ceiling in the room, with you standing in the middle holding a sign of some sort. Senior Cole Luaders mentions, “This was hard work, but it was worth it.” If you are willing to put forth the effort into trying to impress your dream valentine, then they will have a hard time saying no. Maybe you’re a little shy, and not really into the surprising stuff, because it makes you nervous. Just remember: thinking outside the box is what really gets that yes you're looking for. Something as simple as a unique, heartfelt note could work.

It is easy to ask someone to be your valentine, but what happens if they say no? “I have gotten turned down before, but it didn't stop me from asking someone else!” explains Shakur Watson.  If someone ever said no to being your valentine, simply say, “Maybe next year,” and walk away with a big smile on your face. Anyone who is willing to turn down not only a great idea, but a great person, deserves to be valentineless.

What happens if your dream valentine already has their dream valentine? That is when you save the idea you've been plotting and use it on another person. Everyone deserves a valentine and hopefully these tips helped you find yours.  

The history of Valentine's Day

By: Dori Jenkins

The history of Valentine’s Day and the story of its patron saint is covered in mystery.  February has always been celebrated as a month of romance and St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains leftovers of both Christian and Ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient ceremony? 

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of which were martyred. One legend says that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the announcement, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. 

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl, possibly his jailor’s daughter, who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is suspected that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still used today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and most importantly, romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France. A Seckman High School senior, Brittany Drumm, says, “I have never really known the reason that Valentine’s Day is celebrated, but it is one of my favorite holidays because it is not a huge celebration; however, you can still show your love for someone with just something small, like a rose or chocolates.”

Valentine’s began popularly celebrated by the 17th Century, in England it began to resemble the Valentine's Day we know today. At this time, lovers began to express their love with gifts of flowers, candy and cards, which were called ‘valentines.’ An American cartoonist, Charles M. Schulz, says, “All you need is love, but a little chocolate on Valentine’s Day doesn’t hurt.” 

Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in America, Italy, United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, France, Australia and Denmark. St. Valentine's Day falls on February 14 of each year. A Seckman High School junior, Erica Lutker, says, “My favorite time of the year is Valentine’s Day when I get chocolates and roses from my boyfriend!” Although the name is Saint Valentine's Day, most people refer to the day simply as Valentine's Day, or even the Feast of Saint Valentine.

JagSwag hosts young dancers

By: Janese Watson

Every year, Seckman High School’s dance team, JagSwag, holds a pom clinic. This clinic is open to kindergartens up to eighth graders. It is made for dancers not only to improve their dance moves, but have fun while doing it. The girls meet new people and have amazing bonding experiences. There are games played for the girls to interact with one another and get out of their comfort zone. First grader Taylor Davis said, “I've met so many new friends!” For only thirty five dollars the dancers will learn a dance for three days and perform it on the Rickman Auditorium stage for all their friends and family to see. The package includes a T-shirt and an amazing experience.

This year’s dance clinic is themed: “Pop Stars.” Every song that is played is about being a pop star of some sort. The girls have dressed up in the past, but this year they wore what they would like so they can really focus on learning the material. The first day of camp they played some games and got right into to learning some dances. Every dancer is in their own age group to make things easier. If they feel they can do better they are able to move up a level. The girls learn as much as possible for the first two hours and JagSwag members make sure they look nice and clean for the next day.

The second day of clinic is all about technique. Without technique, everything looks sloppy, so the focus is on making sure the girls know what the proper technique is for each movement of the dance. Tenecia Clemmons mentions, “I love seeing the girls improve throughout the week, it’s my favorite thing to watch!”.The girls go across the floor doing certain moves and they improve each time around. After everyone has gone through technique with their levels they begin to dance again. Each dance is run several times to work on the dancers’ memory. After everything is complete the dancers make a big circle and go around saying a few things they liked about that day.

The third day of camp is all about focusing. This is the day parents can come watch and see what the girls have been working on for the past week. All the dancers get excited to finish off the camp strong. The girls stretch to warm up, then begin dancing once again. After the dances are perfectly clean and memory mistakes are finally gone, they are ready to perform for the big show. 

Friday’s showcase is not something that happened in the past. It is new to the camp clinic tradition. Before, the girls would perform on the third day and call it a camp. Now JagSwag has arranged them to be in the annual Seckman Spectacular. JagSwag performs all of their dances and invites schools from all around to make the show more interesting. It is a honor to have to pop star girls dance with JagSwag this year. Everyone is excited and can't wait to see what will happen next! 

Moving at the speed of light

By: Bella Dalba

It is a basic principle of science that the speed of light slows as it travels through a buffer (water or glass, for example), as this distorts the wavelengths. Until January 23, however, it has generally been thought impossible for particles of light, known as photons, to be slowed as they travel through free space, unimpeded by interactions with any materials. In a new paper published in Science Express, researchers from the University of Glasgow and Heriot-Watt University describe how they have managed to slow photons in free space by applying a mask to an optical beam, giving photons a spatial structure that can reduce their speed.

“Most people think of light as one continuous beam, but there are millions of photons moving around at an incomprehensible speed. The fact that they can isolate these particles shows you just how far technology has come,” explains Aimee Gaylord, a biology teacher at Seckman High School.

The team compares a beam of light (which contains a multiplicity of photons) to a team of cyclists, in which each person takes a turn leading the group. Although the group travels along the road as a unit, the speed of individual cyclists can vary as they swap position, making it difficult to measure velocity.

The experiment was configured like a time trial race, with two photons released simultaneously across identical distances towards a defined finish line. The researchers found that one photon reached the finish line as predicted, but the structured photon, which had been reshaped by the mask, arrived later, indicating that it traveled slower while still in free space. Over a distance of one meter, the team measured a decelerate of 20 wavelengths, which is crucially different to the slowing effect of passing light through a medium, where the light is only slowed during the time it is passing through the material. Passing the light through the mask limits the maximum speed the photon can achieve.

Daniel Giovannini, one of the lead authors of the paper, said: "The delay we've introduced to the structured beam is small, measured at several micrometers over a propagation distance of one meter, but it is significant. This finding shows unambiguously that the propagation of light can be slowed below the commonly accepted figure of 299,792,458 meters per second, even when travelling in air or vacuum.”

The effect is applicable to any wave theory, and could well be used to manipulate sound waves. These results provide a new way to think about the properties of light and explore the potential of future applications. “Think about it,” says Kelly Steinbrueck, a Physical and Earth Science teacher at Seckman High School. “This experiment could be the catalyst for future space exploration. If we can begin to manipulate sound and light, soon we could control the particles of matter. This is the first step towards actualizing warp-speed.”

Are aliens trying to contact us?

By: Josh Leach


Are alien’s trying to contact us?  Three burst of extremely powerful radio signals could be their communication technique.  This phenomenon has sparked the debate all over again.
The UFO craze has existed for several decades.  However, the question of whether other planets may contain life, even intelligent life, has been asked for over a thousand years.  In an article by Michael Schirber, a journalist on space.com, he said, “Galileo, Kepler and others considered the inhabitability of the planets, while being careful not to upset Church authority.”  Even the Greek philosophers debated the presence of extraterrestrials.  Josh Kurosz, a senior at Seckman High School was asked if he believed in extraterrestrial life.  He responded, “Of course there’s life on other planets.  The question is whether we’ll ever be able to prove it.”  Logan Smith, another senior, says, “Aliens aren’t some little green men visiting earth.  They’re probably just microorganisms off on a distant planet somewhere.”  Most scientists agree life on other planets is a strong possibility, but their distance from Earth would make travel and communication impossible.
The energy bursts were actually discovered a while ago but were being careful analyzed before being official reported.  Fox News declares, “Astronomers in Australia have picked up an “alien” radio signal from space for the first time as it occurred. The signal, or radio “burst”, was discovered on May 15, 2014, though it’s just being reported by the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.  Emerging from an unknown source, these bursts are bright flashes of radio waves that emit as much energy in a few milliseconds as the sun does in 24 hours.”
Were the radio waves sent from aliens?  Well, according to Emily Petroff, a doctoral student from Melbourne’s Swinburne University of Technology, “We're confident that they're coming from natural sources, that is to say it's probably not aliens, but we haven't solved the case completely. The two most promising theories at the moment are that these bursts could be produced either by a star producing a highly energetic flare, or from a neutron star collapsing to make a black hole. Both of these things would be from sources in far-away galaxies just reaching us from billions of light years away.”  Since these radio waves have traveled such a long way, they must have been released billions of years ago.  If intelligent life did send these signals, they are likely long dead.
Unfortunately, mankind will most likely never know for sure if life exists on other planets.  Occasionally, a radio signal is picked up and sparks the public’s imagination, but no real evidence has ever been discovered.  All we can do is look up at the stars and contemplate an unsolvable mystery: Are we alone?

Winter weather in the Middle East

By: Dori Jenkins

Millions of people have fled the Middle Eastern country of Syria to escape the civil war that’s been raging there for the past four years. Many now live in refugee camps in nearby nations, such as Jordan and Lebanon. Although safely away from the fighting, the refugees recently faced another threat: extreme winter weather. This brings more problems to the families who are stuck away from their homes and are already forced to live in tents.

Earlier this month, powerful storms swept across the Middle East, bringing high winds, frigid temperatures, and heavy rain and snow. The weather has made life even more difficult for people like the nearly 85,000 Syrians living in Jordan’s Za’atari refugee camp.

The storms caused many of the tents families use as makeshift homes to collapse and knocked out electricity to parts of Za’atari. The rain and melted snow also flooded streets around the camp. A Seckman High School sophomore, Ashlee Taylor, says, “I cannot believe how harsh the weather is and how it is affecting to people in the surrounding areas. The people should be in more safe tents during this awful time.”

“Being in a camp is already not a comfortable situation,” says Nasreddine Touaibia of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). “If you add to it this extreme weather, the situation now is pretty bad.”

With nowhere else to go, refugees living in Za’atari were forced to relocate to emergency shelters or move in with friends and relatives. They will remain there until UNHCR teams can make repairs around the camp and provide replacement tents. “Times like this are when we need to help out one another because no children or families deserve be stuck out in the freezing cold weather,” says a Seckman High School Sophomore, Caleb Potter. 

How to build a (CD) hovercraft

By: Sadie Raddatz

Here’s a fun experiment to do at home is making a hovercraft with and old CD. It’s simple, cheap, and fun for children. Plus, who doesn't like watching things hover?

Materials needed:

An old CD or DVD disc
A 9” balloon
A pop-top cap from a water or sports bottle
A hot glue gun

A push pin or small nail

1. If you are using the cap from a water bottle, cover the center hole of the CD with a piece of tape and poke about six holes in the tape with a push-pin or small nail. By doing this you will slow down the flow of air, allowing the hovercraft to hover longer.

2. Use the hot glue gun to glue the cap to the center of the CD or DVD disc.

3. Create a good seal to keep air from escaping. You don't want a lot, if any, air to escape. Blow up the balloon all the way and pinch the neck of it. (Don’t tie it.)

4. Make sure the pop-top is closed and fit the neck of the balloon over the pop-up portion of the cap (this is usually easier with two people).

5. When you're ready to commence hovering, simply put the craft on a smooth surface and pop the top open.

The airflow created by the balloon causes a pillow of moving air between the disc and the surface, lifting the CD or DVD and reducing the friction, which allows the disc to hover freely. A larger scale hovercraft would be capable of traveling over land, snow and water.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

By: Bella Dalba

Boasting an average of two and a half million American participants per year, one of the most popular personality tests is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a psychometric assessment designed to measure psychological preferences in decisions and perception of the world. Originally based on the work of psychologist Carl Jung, the actual test’s methodology was extrapolated and developed by Isabel Briggs-Myers and her mother, Katharine, in 1962. 

Jung's typological model regards psychological type as similar to left or right handedness: individuals are either born with, or develop, certain preferred ways of perceiving and deciding. The MBTI sorts some of these psychological differences into four opposite pairs, or dichotomies, resulting in sixteen possible types. However, Briggs and Myers theorized that individuals naturally prefer one overall combination of type differences, in the same way that writing with the left hand is hard work for a right-hander. People tend to find using their opposite psychological preferences more difficult, even if they can become more proficient (and therefore behaviorally flexible) with practice and development.

The sixteen types are typically referred to by an abbreviation of four letters. The first letter (E or I) stands for the terms extraversion or introversion: extraversion implying "outward-turning" and introversion "inward-turning,” the specific definitions of which vary somewhat from the popular usage of the words. Both of the cognitive functions can operate in the external world of behavior, action, people, and things ("extraverted attitude") or the internal world of ideas and reflection ("introverted attitude").

People who prefer extraversion draw energy from action: they tend to act, then reflect, then act further. If they are inactive, their motivation tends to decline. To rebuild their energy, extraverts need breaks from time spent in reflection. Conversely, those who prefer introversion "expend" energy through action: they prefer to reflect, then act, then reflect again. To rebuild their energy, introverts need quiet time alone, away from activity.

Secondly, Jung identified two pairs of psychological functions: the two perceiving functions, sensing and intuition; and the two judging functions, thinking and feeling. According to Jung's typology model, each person uses one of these four functions more dominantly and proficiently than the other three; however, all four functions are used at different times, depending on the circumstances.

Sensing and intuition are the information-gathering (perceiving) functions. They describe how new information is understood and interpreted. Individuals who prefer sensing are more likely to trust information that is in the present, tangible, and concrete: that is, information that can be understood by the five senses. They tend to distrust hunches, which seem to come "out of nowhere.” They prefer to look for details and facts. For them, the meaning is in the data. On the other hand, those who prefer intuition tend to trust information that is less dependent upon the senses, that can be associated with other information (either remembered or discovered by seeking a wider context or pattern). They may be more interested in future possibilities. For them, the meaning is in the underlying theory and principles which are manifested in the data.

Thinking and feeling are the decision-making (judging) functions. The thinking and feeling functions are both used to make rational decisions, based on the data received from their information-gathering functions (sensing or intuition). Those who prefer thinking tend to decide things from a more detached standpoint, measuring the decision by what seems reasonable, logical, causal, consistent, and matching a given set of rules. Those who prefer feeling tend to come to decisions by associating or empathizing with the situation, looking at it 'from the inside' and weighing the situation to achieve, on balance, the greatest harmony, consensus and fit, considering the needs of the people involved. Thinkers usually have trouble interacting with people who are inconsistent or illogical, and tend to give very direct feedback to others. They are concerned with the truth and view it as a priority.

Myers and Briggs added another dimension to Jung's typological model by identifying that people also have a preference for using either the judging function (thinking or feeling) or their perceiving function (sensing or intuition) when relating to the outside world (extraversion). They held that types with a preference for judging show the world their preferred judging function (thinking or feeling). As such, TJ types tend to appear as logical and FJ types as empathetic. This developed into four separate categories: Analysts (NT), Diplomats (NF), Sentinels (ST), and Explorers (SF).

“Breaking down someone’s personality into something completely individual, while still being able to relate it to other people through categories, is kind of incredible,” says Sarah Dempsey, a Seckman High School senior.

However, some researchers have interpreted the reliability of the test as being low, particularly with regards to the test-retest reliability of the test. Studies have found that between 39% and 76% of those tested fall into different types upon retesting some weeks or years later, and large numbers of individuals have found that they get different classifications when retaking the test after just five weeks. There is also strong evidence that the different scales are correlated, and not independent as claimed.

One study reports that the MBTI dichotomies exhibit good split-half reliability; however, the dichotomy scores are distributed in a bell curve, and the overall type allocations are less reliable. Also, test-retest reliability is sensitive to the time between tests. Within each dichotomy scale, about 83% of categorizations remain the same when individuals are retested within nine months, and around 75% when individuals are retested after nine months. About 50% of people tested within nine months remain the same overall type, and 36% remain the same type after more than nine months.

“I’ve been an INTJ my entire life. I think it’s more difficult for introverts to change their thought patterns, but, because extraverts tend to draw their moods from others, their personalities seem to be more flexible,” said SHS senior, Claire Kinkead. 

In another study, when people were asked to compare their preferred type to that assigned by the MBTI assessment, only half of people picked the same profile. Critics also argue that the MBTI lacks falsifiability, which can cause bias in the interpretation of results.

A number of researchers argue that criticisms regarding the MBTI mostly come down to questions regarding the validity of its origins, not questions regarding the validity of the MBTI’s usefulness. Others argue that the MBTI can be a reliable measurement of personality; Robert Capraro, a psychoanalyst, believes that "like all measures, the MBTI yields scores that are dependent on sample characteristics and testing conditions.”

Either way, personality is subjective, and therefore difficult to measure objectively. The MBTI attempts to cross this barrier, and is arguably successful: the distribution of personality types reflects the diversity of the population. Though it remains a pop culture staple, the science behind it is increasingly validated.

Men vs. women

By: Janese Watson

Why do people compare men and women? We were created differently and that is what we are. Men and women are equal in many ways, but different in many more. Our weight, shape, size and anatomy have huge differences we can all see. 

Women have four times as many brain cells, called neurons, that connect the right and left side of their brain. Men rely on the left side of their brain making them solve problems one step at a time. “I’ve always wondered if girls were smarter than guys,” says Riley Jackson. Women can focus on more than one problem at one time and prefer to solve problems through multiple activities at a time. That is only the beginning of the differences we have. 

There are a lot of interesting differences between men and women most people don’t realize. Men and women are alike in many ways, but unlike in a lot more ways. Metabolism, for example: there are small metabolic differences between men and women. Women’s total energy expenditure, which is the number of calories that metabolism needs, including breathing, blood circulation, digestion and physical activity, is around five to ten percent lower than men’s. The reduced energy expenditure can be partly explained by body composition. 

The physical differences between men and women provide functional advantages and have survival value. Senior Tenecia Clemmons asks, “Why are men more likely to lose weight over girls?” Men tend to lose weight faster than women, but why? One big difference between the sexes lies in food preferences, according to Katherine Tallmadge, the author of Diet Simple. “Men love their meat, and women are attached to carbohydrates,” she says. Men are larger and have more muscle than women due to the hormone testosterone. They are genetically designed to have a higher percentage of muscle and less fat. This helps them keeping fit and allows them in to eat more calories. Men and women have plenty of differences, but we were made to be different right?

Can virtual reality become reality?

By: Josh Leach

What if you could go anywhere and do anything?  Virtual reality could make that possible.  The public has anxiously waited and intently watched this technology progress.  Developers have not quite perfected the technology yet, but people are excited that some devices have already been made available to consumers.  In fact, Samsung plans to release a virtual reality headset this year.
The 90’s was an important time for virtual reality.  The first headsets were created, and programmers designed virtual three-dimensional animations.  However, the poor quality of the graphics disappointed a lot of people.  The technology nearly faded from public eye until recently.  Processors are faster and more efficient now, and programmers are no longer struggling with the problems they had in the 90’s.
Oculus is a company on the forefront of virtual reality development.  According to Andrew Rosenblum, a writer for Popular Science, “In the first virtual reality (VR) boom in the 1990s, there were few bigger fans than Jeffrey Travis. The engineer and filmmaker had been waiting for the day he could don a virtual jetpack and explore a virtual world.”  Jeffrey Travis went on to found Oculus.  The company is most well known for creating the Oculus Rift.  Conor Ginger, a senior at Seckman High School, believes the device is “the single greatest invention of all time.”  Logan Smith, another senior, says, “Virtual reality makes anything possible both in the virtual and real worlds.”  The Oculus Rift has been configured for gaming, designing buildings and other complex structures, and even shopping.
Audi will be using the device for designing the interior of their cars.”  The auto company’s spokesperson says, “As part of the Audi VR experience, the Oculus Rift headset (likely the second developers' kit, which is pictured in Audi's press materials) will be paired with Bang and Olufsen headphones so that users can hear the in-car environment as well.”  According to Oculus.com, “We’ve teamed up with Samsung to create the Gear VR Innovator Edition, a cutting-edge development kit for mobile virtual reality, powered by Oculus.”  This new device should hit the market sometime this year.
Virtual reality is the ultimate medium.  People can literally submerge themselves into a world of limitless potential.  The dream of the entertainment industry has finally been realized.  More importantly, the technology’s practical applications are endless.  Once again, what if you could go anywhere and do anything?

How to make invisible ink

By: Sadie Raddatz

Invisible Ink

Cell phones and modern technology have taken over communication. Sending any of sort of message can be accomplished in a few seconds with a simple text. Most of us get multiple texts every day. Invisible ink, however, is just a special way to send private messages that can't be screen shot, bringing a vintage twist to communication. This would go great on a birthday card or Valentine's Day note.

Materials needed:
- Bowl
- Paper
- Light
- Baking Soda
- Water
- Makeshift writing tool

To make invisible ink, you will need to add equal mixes of baking soda and water into a bowl. Stir until mixed. If you want a lot of ink then you will need a few cups of each to make a large amount. Secondly, you will need to find a makeshift writing tool. It can be a paintbrush or even a Q-tip, just something that will allow you to write on the paper and permit it to be big enough to read clearly.

Write your message on the paper with the chosen writing tool. You will have to wait until the paper and ink are completely dried before trying to read. It should only take a few minutes to dry. Then take a lamp (you may need to take the cover off for better lighting) and place it under the paper. Make sure it isn't held to closely; you don't want to start a fire. Read the message to make sure it is clear and legible and send it off to that person.

Invisible ink is really cool. It's fun and easy to make. Younger children would have a blast mixing everything together and writing secret messages. Being able to travel back into time to when people actually wrote notes to each other, instead of typing a quick text, is something fun and refreshing. With invisible ink, you won't have to worry about anyone reading the message.

Can Twitter diagnose mental health issues?

By: Dorian Jenkins

Computer scientists are analyzing tweets from Twitter to gather information on the prevalence of common mental illnesses. Researchers at John Hopkins University in Baltimore say their new computer program can sift through volumes of publicly available postings on Twitter and detect certain language cues associated with particular disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder.
One benefit of discovering mental health data via Twitter posts is that the analysis of the information can be delivered to medical professionals much quicker and cheaper than the current, traditional methods. The data on mental illness trends discovered during a Twitter search can provide information for specific geographical areas, which would be handy for public health officials and medical providers during times that follow natural and man-made disasters. When someone tweets from their phone, the emergency teams are able to track down that phone quickly due to the GPS installed in smart phones.
As the researchers put their new system to the test it revealed a prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among military personnel at United States armed service installations that regularly deployed combat troops to Afghanistan and Iraq.  It also detected Tweets indicating higher than normal symptoms of depression in areas where unemployment was high. The importance of this information is to help diagnose the disorders of someone that may need help. A Seckman High School junior, Taylor Wucher, says, “I think that this new program is a good thing because it can eventually help people in the future that may need it and it is a great use of the technology we have in our world.”
The Johns Hopkins scientists evaluated over eight billion tweets in developing their computer program; this program will look for specific words or language patterns in the tweets. For example, if information regarding disorders such as insomnia or anxiety is desired, the program would search through tweets and look for words, such as, “I really don’t want to get out of bed today,” or, “I am feeling really sad today.”
“Using Twitter to get a fix on mental health cases could be very helpful to health practitioners and governmental officials who need to decide where counseling and other care is needed most,” says Mark Dredze, an assistant research professor at the Whiting School of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science.
The privacy of the people that were tweeting was also a major concern with the new program. However, the program does not show the names of the people that are tweeting; therefore it keeps the users private. A Seckman High School senior, Brittany Drumm, says, “I believe that as long as the program is used for the right reasons, then there should be no concern of privacy because your profile is not shown.”
Overall, the tweets that have been uploaded to social media are actually helping researchers and doctors around the world to discover new mental health issues.