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Challenges Facing National Parks’ Management

Management of national parks and the areas related to them provide not only opportunities but also challenges. The opportunities that it presents are protecting the values of the national parks and provision of people’s enjoyment and appreciation. Challenges include ensuring these places are well protected and that the activities going on in the national parks benefit them and balancing them. National parks’ management also deals with controlling the capacity of visitors visiting the parks in a given time and the population of the wildlife in that given park (Manning, p1).Effective management of national parks is important for preservation and conservation of the wildlife. This essay will look at the various challenges facing the management of national parks and the approaches addressing the challenges.

National parks are tourist attraction sites. Tourists can’t be attracted by the national parks if there are no features of interest. It becomes a challenge to the management of the national parks to ensure the national parks have the necessary resources that would invite tourists to the park. The challenge is when it comes to making the decision on what to put up and what to improve in the national parks. The management is required to ensure that the improvements that they make are unique to the features of other tourist attraction sites. Approaches addressing this challenge have been raised such as providing luxury equipment and hotels within the parks. The approach ensures that tourists stay in the park and enjoy their stay as long as they would wish (Davis et al., p12)

The management looks forward to expanding the national parks to increase the volume of visitation as already discussed. The will to expand the national parks is met by one challenge that has troubled the management so much. People living around the national parks tend to encroach on the land holding the national park (James et al., p 162). Cultivation is the main purpose of this behavior of the people. Land encroachment makes it difficult for the management to expand the parks. It instead reduces the size of the land occupied by the park hence reducing the natural habitat. Appropriate measures have been taken to solve this problem. The management has pushed for fencing the area that should be occupied by the national park to avoid invasion by the residents.

National parks’ management aims at protecting the wildlife in the national parks. Protecting wildlife ensures that the national parks stay for as long as possible, and the benefits accrued to the existence of national parks are long term. Poaching has become a threat to this goal of the management. Wild animals such as elephants, leopards, buffaloes and many others are a main area of tourists’ attraction. Residents have made poaching an option to their living (James et al., p163). Elephants in national parks have become extinct due to their valuable tasks. Extinction of elephants and other animals would slowly fade the national parks. Approaches have been raised to address this matter. The wild services have increased the number of trained security to protect the wildlife. There are laws that have been passed to protect the wildlife. It means that if one is accused of poaching can face imprisonment or other charges. Villagers around the parks have also been offered well-defined hunting quotas. These quotas have reduced poaching since the villagers sell the quotas to companies or organizations (James et al., p168).

Training and education are an important aspect in that they install skills and knowledge to individuals. Lack or minimal skills in the management board of national parks has become a challenge lately (Decker et al., p13).Without the required training, it becomes difficult for one to determine certain variables in the national parks. A good example would be determining the wildlife population or evaluate the situation of a habitat (Decker et al., p13).Possession of skills, also helps the management board in making decisions on what should be done. Mostly, when a problem arises the level of skills possessed by the management determines how fast the situation will be handled. The government has offered training facilities and organized training programs to the management. The untrained personnel are taken through training to improve the level of skills in them.

Political pressure is another challenge that faces the management of national parks. As much as the management would like to expand the parks, there exists scarcity in development funds (James et al., p172).This problem is usually as a result of arguments in the political systems on the amount of money to be issued for the national park development. With this, the management and control functions of the park management cannot be met. It happens that the national income earned from tourism activities goes easily to the government. It becomes hard for the funds to be allocated back to the national parks for expansion, hence, delaying the expansion projects that the management has suggested. Pressure is mounted on the management sector instead. The solution to this problem is being worked on where the funding for the parks will be done in a way that it won’t be affected by politics. Through external fund and whenever the park’s wildlife capital has been restored. Park management activities would be financed by tourists and fees from safari hunting (James et al., 173).

Expansion of national parks has led to relocation of many people. It turns the population against the management of the parks. At times, there is a very high population living below living standards. These conditions and the anger in people about the relocation encourage people to practice poaching and at times attack the management directly. The people may also set up forest fires as a revenge mechanism. These extensive forest fires have led to environmental destruction (James et al., p174).Wildlife is destroyed where animals die, and vegetation burn down. Whenever it happens, the management tries as much as it can to put off these fires. It becomes a threat to the management. Extra cost that had not been budgeted for is required to finance for the extinguishing .The management has started an initiative where people are compensated after relocation to avoid this scenario (James et al., 174).

Wildlife damage has become a threat not only to the people around the national parks but also to the management. Wildlife damage is any act by the animals in the park that causes destruction to the property of the households living around the parks (Conover, p7).It happens due to poor protective boundaries between the national parks and the society living near the parks. When the animals break the walls, they cause damages to the crops, cause injuries to the people and some extent deaths. The management is hence faced with the challenge of compensating for the damages. Finances that had not been budgeted for are used. The management is also faced by the challenge of tracing the animals and taking them back to the parks. The activity of tracing the animals back to the park becomes very tiresome and sometimes dangerous. In order to avoid this, construction of strong electric fence round the national parks has been implemented.

In conclusion, the challenges facing the management of national parks are the same from one national park to the other. The management personnel across the national parks should hence, be skilled and with the ability to withstand the challenges. They should also have the ability to bring forward measurements that can address the challenges. Poaching has become the biggest threat to national parks’ management as discussed. It is facilitated by many factors, among them being poor management. In general, the management should enhance its relationship with those that border the parks. A good relationship between them improves the understanding between them, which would reduce such activities. For better handling of challenges to the management, the government considers employing skilled personnel. The management should also be corruption free to enable good utilization of the funds allocated to the national parks.

Works Cited

Manning, Robert. Parks and People: Managing Outdoor Recreation at Acadia National Park: University of Vermont Press, 2009.Print.

Davis E. Davis., Halvorson, Willian. Science and Ecosystem Management in the National Parks: University of Arizona Press, 1996.Print.

Anderson, Terry. James, Alexander. The Politics and Economics of Park Management: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, USA, 2001.Print.

Decker, Daniel. Riley, Shawn. Siemer, William. Human Dimension of Wildlife Management: JHU Press, 2012.Print.

Conover, Michael. The Science of Wildlife Damage Management: CRC Press LLC, USA, 2002.Print.

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‘Advanced’, ‘Writing’ and ‘Discipline’

This assignment requires all the students taking the advanced writing course to post something about the meanings of the words advanced writing and discipline. The post is supposed to include some definitions from the dictionary and then show how we understand the meaning of these three words. As it follows, I will first define the words as they are discussed in two different dictionaries, and then offer a definition that reflects my own understanding of the terms. In addition to this, I will also demonstrate some of my expectations of this particular course. I will also show what I expect to be covered or taught in the class and how we can our past knowledge and skills in communication and writing in advancing this course.

The Merriam- Webster dictionary has a number of definitions of the word advanced, a few of which only apply to this particular class. One of the most relevant definition of advanced in this dictionary is the one that describes advanced as being more than or being beyond introduction or elementary. Another essential definition describes advanced as much developed beyond or more than the initial stage. A third essential definition from this dictionary is the one that defines advanced as being further away from others when it comes to ideas or progress. One can, therefore, use this word in different circumstances. For instance, one can say advanced biology, chemistry or English class. One can also use the word to form a sentence like, advanced methods of science.

The online Dictionary.com also offers a number of definitions for the word advanced. One of the definitions offered in the dictionary defines advanced as being placed forward or ahead. Another crucial definition derived from this dictionary defines advanced as far or ahead or further along in complexity, progress, skill or even knowledge. Advanced is also shown or defined as embodying or pertaining to ideas, attitudes, and practices. In this case, the word advanced can be used to mean that one is taken or seen as being more liberal or enlightened when compared to the established, standardized or traditional. As it follows, these definitions can be used differently in sentences. One, for instance, can use the second definition of advanced in such sentences as, an advanced class in English, or taking a course in advanced Spanish. I understand the term advanced as any skills, knowledge, ideas, practices or attitudes that have developed more than the normal or usual stages. I understand that one has to learn more and acquire more skills and knowledge about a particular discipline to become advanced in that discipline.

The other word of interest in this post is writing. The term has numerous definitions according to Merriam- Webster dictionary. The dictionary defines writing as the process or act of one who writes or the art or act of forming characters or letter that are visible. The dictionary also defines writing as the practice or act of musical or literary composition. Writing can also be understood as the form or style of composition, or the profession or occupation of a writer. Dictionary.com defines writing as the act of a thing or person who writes. It also defines writing as putting or committing one’s ideas or thoughts into writing. I also have my own understanding of the term writing. I think that writing is not just the ability to put words together or the ability to draw characters or words that are presentable. To me, writing is the ability for one to put characters and syllables together so that they are able to make sense, communicate the intended message and show the level of expertise of that particular individual or writer. As it follows, I do not see someone who is able to take notes in class as a writer; neither can I take the notes the take down as writing. However, if that student is able to answer questions from the same class in the form of writing that show the understanding of the course material, and do it comprehensively and presentably, then I can take him as a writer, because he displays ideas, knowledge and skill.

Discipline is an extremely common word, and it has a number of meanings as presented by a number of dictionaries. The Merriam- Webster dictionary, for instance, offers a number for definitions for the term. It is essential to note that the word holds a number of meanings. For instance, it can be used to mean discipline, it can also be used to stand for a field of study, or training that molds, corrects or perfects moral character and mental faculties. The dictionary also describes discipline as the control obtained from enforcing order and obedience. Dictionary.com also has numerous definitions of the term. Some of these include training or molding to act according to rules. It is also defined as exercise, activity or a regimen that improves or develops a skill. It also defines discipline as punishment inflicted by way of training or correction. All these definitions are applicable in different cases. I understand discipline as a field of study that one chooses to specialize in above others.

These three words can be used together to come up with the term advanced writing discipline. This term can be used to mean a writing course in a certain discipline that is advanced. This writing course could have been covered in several other uncomplicated stages before one becomes qualified to undertake the advanced class. In such a course, it expected that the students would learn ideas; practices, knowledge and skills that will enable them become competent in writing or expressing their ideas through writing. It expected that by the end of the course, all students would have learned or refined their writing skills.

Mount St. Helens

On May 18, 1980, after lying dormant 123 years Mount St. Helens erupted powerfully and had a profound impact on the Pacific Northwest. On that summer day in 1980 Mount St. Helens produced a huge debris avalanche, an explosive lateral blast, lahars and an eruption column. In an instant the countryside and lakes surrounding a great distance around became victims of devastation.

Located in the state of Washington, St. Helens is considered to be the youngest and most active volcano in the Cascade Range. Although only 12th in height among the major Cascade volcanoes, scientists predict a significant increase in size in the future because the mountain is still in its cone building stage. Mount St. Helens stands atop an older volcano which historically, was probably one of the most explosive peaks in the Pacific Northwest. This assumption is evident through the amount of debris that is scattered for miles over the countryside. The oldest recognized products of the ancestral cone are a pumice layer which is dated at 37,600 years and a weathered mudflow deposit dated at approximately 36,000 years (Harris 1980). Evidence of glacial sediments containing fragments of the earlier mountain are dated at approximately 18,000 years and indicate that Mount St. Helens experienced at least one episode of glaciation. Present day lava content of St. Helens is composed of olivine basalt, dacite, and pyroxene andesite. The ancestral St. Helens, although almost buried beneath the recent core, has left behind much evidence of its previous eruptions. Pumiceous ash blankets the land for hundreds of miles and many valleys are filled with accumulations of explosive rubble. Modern day Mount St. Helens is a result of avalanche debris, explosion rubble and mudflow deposits erupted by its predecessor.

Modern day St. Helens also grew “through the extrusion of at least two large dacite domes and the production of glowing avalanches similar to those erupted by the ancestral volcano” (Harris 1980:171). The famous Spirit Lake surrounding Mount St. Helens is also a result of violent activity. The lake formed when mudflows form the volcano blocked the headwaters of a fork of the Toutle River and the lake was raised over 60feet by mudflows.

Prior to 1980, after over one hundred years of lying dormant, St. Helens had the opportunity to recuperate from its previous eruptions and develop its beautiful shape, rising approximately 3000 meters above sea level. (Sanders 2002) The landscape surrounding the mountain consisted of dense, temperate and coniferous rain forests.

Large areas had been partially modified by timber harvest activity and sparse alpine vegetation occurred at high elevations. Lakes and streams were also common to the area. However, by 1949 endless miles of roads covered the previously solitude mountain. By 1975 there were few roadless areas for hikers and wildlife and most of the trails had been converted to logging road (Williams 1988). According to the U.S Forest Service, timber harvesting had been “quite extensive, primarily on the south and east sides” (Williams 1988:32). The timber industry claimed that clearcutting was an economic necessity essential for providing timber and jobs. Clearcutting moved up Mount. St. Helen streams and efforts to replant the timberline clearcuts failed and once the vegetation was destroyed, the pumice became a desert, and few plants were able to grow. Only the north side of the mountain prior to the 1980 eruption remained in a semi-natural state, although fisheries were damaged by dams and erosion from logging (Williams 1988).

The Cascade Mountains, St. Helen’s being one of them, represent a volcanic arc that is created where the Juan the Fuca tectonic plate is moving eastward and subsiding beneath North America. The plate originated as magma, through rifts in the Juan de Fuca Ridge. The Juan de Fuca Ridge is the remaining northern segment of a larger oceanic feature called the Farallon Ridge. Most of this ridge has been over ridden by the westward drifting North American Plate. The rock that makes up the Juan de Fuca plate is heated to a degree that hot fluids are driven out. These hot fluids, which are mainly composed of water, then penetrate into the overlying wedge of mantle rock and cause chemical interactions that lower melting temperatures in the wedge. This causes blobs of magma to rise through the fractures in the crust and accumulate in chambers beneath the volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range and results in eruptions (Sanders et al. 2002).

Studies by members of the U.S Geological Survey were conducted and the results were published in 1978 by authors Crandell and Mullineaux. Based on the eruptive history and frequency of St. Helens eruptions the authors warned of the likelihood of future eruptions.

In the future, Mount St. Helens probably will erupt violently and intermittently just as it has in the recent geologic past, and these future eruptions will affect human life and healthy, property, agriculture and general economic welfare over a broad area…an eruption is… likely to occur within the next hundred years, and perhaps even before the end of the century” (Sanders et al. 2002:232)

These warnings however, did not reach a wide audience and were not taken very seriously by a majority of the public.

The issue was clouded by misunderstandings by the media, government officials, and even geologists. Two years after the publication by Crandell and Mullineaux Mount St. Helens erupted.

The first sign of activity at Mount St. Helens began On March 16, 1980. A series of small earthquakes were detected and on March 27, after hundreds of earthquakes had been detected, steam explosions blasted a crater through the volcano’s summit ice cap. The crater was estimated to have grown about 1,300 feet in diameter within a week (Brantley et al. nd). Two enormous crack systems had also crossed the entire summit area. 10,000 earthquakes had shaken the volcano by May 17, and the north flank had grown outward to form a noticeable bulge. This indicated to geologists that magma had risen high into the volcano. On the morning of May 18, 1980 and earthquake of magnitude 5.1, shook the volcano and within 20 seconds, the volcano’s bulge and summit slid away in the largest landslide in recorded history. The landslide was about 2.5km^3 (Pringle 1990). Powerful explosions were triggered because the landslide depressurized the volcano’s magma system. “Rocks, ash, volcanic ash and steam were blasted upward and outward to the north. This lateral blast of hot material accelerated to at least 300 miles per hour, the slowed as the rocks and ash fell to the ground and spread away from the volcano.” (Brantley et al. nd) The blast cloud is reported to have traveled as far as 17 miles northward from the volcano. An eruptive column was a result of the blast and rose more than 15 miles in about 15 minutes. The destruction continued as magma erupted from the new crater and a second eruption column was formed.

Just after 12:00pm pyroclastic flows consisting of ash, pumice and gas poured out of the crater, reaching speeds as fast as 80 miles per hour (Brantley et al. nd). The scorching ash quickly mixed with existing ice and snow and began to flow down all sides of the mountain. Debris was picked up on the way and included boulders reaching sizes of up to 20 feet in diameter (Volcano World nd). Strong winds then proceeded to blow the 520 million tons of ash eastward across the United States. 250 miles from the volcano, the city of Spokane, was enclosed in darkness (Brantley et al. nd).

Effects of the 1980 eruption were disastrous. There were 57 human fatalities, mostly due to suffocation from ash inhalation, and thousands of animals were killed including, 7000 big game animals and 12 million salmon. Hundreds of houses in the valley were destroyed, bridges were wrecked and vehicles were demolished. Deposits of mud and debris in the upper reaches of the North Fork Toutle Rive valley were so great that its floor was raised as much as 180 meters and debris dams formed lakes where none had existed before. A flood of water filled with mud, poured into the Cowlitz River and enormous amounts of sediment were dumped into the Columbia River and clogged the shipping channel. “Upstream in the Columbia, more than twenty oceangoing ships were trapped at Portland and Vancouver until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deepened the channel with dredges working around the clock” (Sanders et al. 2002:239) Ash clouds were seen drifting across three states, Washington, Idaho and Montana, and the volumes of rock, ice, mud, ash and debris were estimated in the billions of cubic yards.

Ash fall of up to 8cm in Washington and Idaho caused harmful problems clogged air filters that disabled vehicles and short-circuited electrical transformers, resulting in power outages. Breathing was so difficult in some areas that many had to wear masks. Needless to say much of the wildlife in the surrounding area was destroyed. Few trees and plants survived the eruption. “The volcano blew out a large portion of the mountainside and baked several hundred square kilometers of adjacent countryside to 400600 oC. The result was a lifeless moonscape punctuated by the ash-gray, leafless trunks of thousands of blown-down trees” (Life erupts at Mount St. Helens 1997:400)

Following the eruption, thousands of people were evacuated, some by helicopter. Emergency responses that included salvaging lives and property were the first priority. Work crews worked for weeks removing tons of ash from roofs, streets, sidewalks and parking lots. The U.S Army Crops of Engineers worked around the clock, deepening the channel of the Columbia River so that ships could be freed. People sought immediate need for information regarding volcanic events and hazards. As a result an Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) was established in Washington. The ECC consisted of experienced emergency response personal and was staffed 24 hours a day. Information was also provided through public meetings, press conferences, and briefings with government agencies and private businesses. Updates on the status of the volcano were also provided through “volcanic and seismic activity reports.”

Despite all the effort, the destruction and loss resulting from the volcano caused many to experience emotional problems and psychological problems.

“Some people made a scapegoat of Mount St. Helens, blaming the volcano for personal problems unrelated to the eruption” (Sanders et al. 2002:242-243)

Bibliography:

Zeilinga de Boer, Jelle and Donald Theodore Sanders. 2002. Volcanoes in Human History. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

Harris, Stephen L. 1980. Fire & Ice The Cascade Volcanoes. Revised Edition. Seattle:

The Mountaineers.

Williams, Chuck. 1988. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Seattle: The Mountaineers.

Pringle, Patrick. Mount St Helens: A Ten-Year Summary. Washington Geologic Newsletter. Vol. 18, No. 2, May 1990.

Brantley, Steve and Bobbie Myers. Mount St. Helens-From the 1980 Eruption to 2000.

Challenges Facing Students in Public Schools

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Challenges Facing Working-Class Students in Public School System

America has the most diversified education system in the world comprising of both public and private schools at all levels of education. However, public schools at all standards have the most significant percentage of students as compared to private institutions. Over centuries, public schools have always occupied a crucial space in the excitable American imagination. Americans regardless of the age have limitless desires for education and self-improvement through learning. In the last decades, there has been spreading debate over the declining standards as well as low achievements of students who have undergone the American education system more so when compared to students in other well-developed nations such as Germany. This might be as a result of challenges facing the education system in America. Over the years, public schools in America are faced with some problems which affect the expected outcome from the institutions. The students themselves are affected by the system of education used by most of the public schools in America. This essay will majorly consider some of the challenges faced by students in public schools which significantly affects their performance and some of how they can be solved.

A significant drawback affecting the students in public schools is the lack of motivation from the professors or teachers. Rebecca Cox who is the author of ‘The Student Fear Factor’ carried out interviews where she involved the students and the professors, and she noted that the students themselves were not motivated by their respective professors in their learning institutions. Cox says that the students and professors misunderstand each other and as a result fail each other at the end. Cox believes that there has always been a mismatch between the expectations of the students and those of the professors. Additionally, the students themselves are not familiar with most norms in the classrooms hence furthering the learning gap.

Cox says, “Students can easily arrive at college without understanding what is expected of them and how to meet the expectations” (Cox, 2009). She added that although students fail to follow the instructions from their professors, the professor involved plays a vital role in the failure of the students and the institution at large. Cox added that some instructors might believe a particular group of students lacks the capability of learning as compared to other students. This greatly demotivates the students perceived unable, and as a result, they end up performing poorly in classrooms. Lack of motivation from the instructors makes the students seek little or no further assistance to understand new skills.

Mike Rose, the author of “I Just Wanna be Average” illustrates that when he was admitted to a public vocational program where he met teachers who were unimpressed by their jobs and did not have confidence in the competence of their students. Absence of faith from the teachers makes the students slack off and care less about their school work. Rose in his vocational training met with Mr. MacFarland who motivated Rose and helped him get into college. Rose describes that the relationship which he had with Mr. MacFarland had a positive impact on his life (Rose, 1990). This clearly shows the positive effect of motivation from the instructors involved.

As indicated above, a lack of motivation from the instructors is a major challenge affecting students in public schools; hence there is a need for students to be motivated in learning institutions. One of the ways which the instructors can motivate the students is by letting them know what is expected of them before the education process. Additionally, all students have the capability in the learning process; therefore any form of perception of incapability of a group of students should be avoided in teaching institutions. The instructors should also involve all the students in a classroom as this improves the relationship between the students and the teachers hence the students are motivated.

A division into social classes is another major challenge faced by students in public schools. Social class means the division of the society based on the economic and social status of that community. Jean Anyon who is the author of “The Curriculum of work” clearly narrates about the division which occurs in public schools based on the social classes. She says that the children are taught to learn and comprehend things based on the society which they come from. Moreover, the behavior of students in a particular set of society behaves differently from students in another society.

In America, students are divided based on the economic status where the poor and well-disadvantaged members of the society join public schools of their ‘level.’ In such situations, students from the different humble backgrounds learn together hence their learning manner is very different from other institutions of ‘’well up’’ students. Students from such ‘low level’ sectors are perceived as incapable of doing a particular task as compared to others. The teachers in such institutions also lack faith with their students and receive little or no considerations.

Anyon examined the behavior of every social class which is divided into, the working class, the middle class, and the elite executive class (Anyon, 1980). Anyon says that due to the divisions, the lower perceived students rarely ask the teacher for help and better explanations in class hence contributing to their failure in classrooms. Superman and Me who are the authors of “The Joy of Reading and Writing” explains how education helped him to succeed in life as well as his life as an Indian boy. It’s due to his love for reading that made him propel in the school system and removing himself from the quiet and the poor society and fails in life. Sherman Alexie says, “I refused to fail. I was smart. I was arrogant. I was lucky” (Alexie, 1998). This clearly shows that when everyone is given a chance in the education system without considering the social status, the ability of many students will be manifested.

As portrayed above, division into social classes has an adverse effect on the students in public schools. On the contrary, students from all backgrounds should be allowed to interact with one another in learning institutions as this motivates both. Interaction of students from different backgrounds will embrace working together without any form of discrimination. Alexie who had loved reading and writing but came from a humble Indian family is seen excelling very well in the society despite his social status. Additionally, the ability of students from lower social class is manifested as poverty does not determine what a student is capable of doing.

Another critical challenge affecting students in the public school system is schooling for an extended period. The American system involves participating in a twelve-year curriculum which is viewed as tedious to the learners by John Taylor. The article ‘’Against School’’ by John Taylor Gatto clearly shows that the long schooling periods is designed to produce mediocre intellectuals, to deny the students necessary leadership skills and also restrict their inner life. Gatto says, “Mandatory education serves students only incidentally; its real purpose is to turn them into servants.’’

Gatto articulates that important people in America like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln did not go through the twelve-year schooling system but are successful in life. He says that schooling for too long creates boredom in the students hence losing interest in further education. Interestingly, Gatto points out that not only the students who are bored by the long education system but also the teachers themselves. He says, ’’ I taught for thirty years in some of the worst schools in Manhattan, and some of the best, and during that time, I became an expert in boredom.’’ Gatto also claims that the long schooling curriculum denies the students and the teachers a chance to learn more. He says, ‘’they said teachers didn’t seem to know much about their subjects and weren’t interested in learning more.’’

Gatto stipulates that the twelve-year schooling system have some negative drawbacks to the students and the teachers themselves; hence there is a need to reform the system. This can be done by reducing the schooling system to about eight to ten years. Gatto says that the students claimed that they were taught things which they already knew about; hence such things should be removed from the curriculum thus reducing the number of years spent in school (Gatto, 2003). By doing so, boredom in schools will be eradicated thus motivating the students and making the curriculum interesting to the teachers and the learners.

As discussed above, it is clear that many students in public schools face a lot of challenges. This has in the students lose interest in education hence the result of disappointment to the parents and the instructors. A change should be done so that to motivate and provide an education that is involving to the student. By motivating and involving the students to teachers who know their subjects, they will gain interest and inspiration. Additionally, division based on the social classes should be abandoned and involve all students together irrespective of their backgrounds. By doing so, many students will have the eagerness to learn more and show their full potential in all levels of education.

Reference

Alexie, S. (1998). Superman and me. Los Angeles Times, 19.

Anyon, J. (1980). Social class and the hidden curriculum of work. Journal of education, 162(1), 67-92.

Cox, R. D. (2009). The college fear factor. Harvard University Press.

Gatto, J. T. (2003). Against school. Harper’s Magazine, 307(1840), 33-38.

Rose, M. (1990). I just wanna be average. Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing, 161-172.

Mountain Bikes

It has been a decade in the making, but the mountain bike has become a passion for many people.

Along with this passion it has also become the most environmental way to get from point A to B. It has gone through a very intense evolution process over the past decade.

It all started with some guys from California who took their bikes out for a ride on their day off, they modified their bikes and turned a hobby of theirs into a worldwide phenomenon. The mountain bike’s rapid increase in popularity was influenced by social and economic situations, and by technological improvements that had the needs of bike riders in mind. The introduction of the mountain bike at a bike convention in Long Beach, California, early in the 1980’s coincided with the need for a bike that combined technical superiority, ease of care, and multipurpose use.

Technological advances came extremely fast after it’s introduction into the world. The advances have made riding mountain bikes easier, which makes it possible for the rider to explore new terrain. I hope that this report will be able to provide some information on the subject of mountain bikes and the advances in technology that the bike has gone through, and what might be in the future of the mountain bike.

The road bike has taken more than a hundred years to evolve into the frame that it is being used on todays bicycle. Because of the increasingly popularity of the mountain bike the demand for advances to be made have come very rapidly.

The evolution of the mountain bike has been a stormy one over the past decade. Within one decade the design has changed radically; this is due to three reasons. First, because geometry and design were copied from the first “Stone-Age bikes”; second, because off-road riding created different problems; and third, because innovative frame design mirrored the “spirit of the times”: young, new, dynamic, and strong. The off-road bike required extra stability frame.

It is important to know the basic frame geometry and how to measure it. The combination of tube length and angle determines not only the maneuverability of the bike, but also determines the seating position and the transfer of power. Variances of 1° of the headset angle, or a 1′ (2cm) difference in the distance between the rear-wheel axle and the center of the bottom bracket, can have very serious consequences. Frame Geometry

The basic elements of frame geometry are: A- Height of the seat tube; B-Length of the top tube;

C- Seat-tube angle; D- Headset-tube angle; E- Trail, F- Distance between the rear-wheel axle and the bottom bracket; G- Distance between the front-wheel axle and the bottom bracket; H-Wheelbase; I- Height of the bottom bracket; J- Stem angle; K- Length of the headset tube.

A. Height of the Seat Tube

This is determined by the length of the biker’s inseam. This measurement is only of little importance, because of the different frame designs and the different methods of construction used by different manufacturers.

B. Length of the Top Tube

This length should correspond to the rider’s trunk (length from the seat to the shoulders). With mountain bikes this measurement should be increased by a few inches. This increases the distance between the two axles, which increases the riding comfort and makes for a straight and stable ride. Sometimes the top tube is slightly slanted, this is because some bike frames are designed so high off the ground, the slanted top tube makes for an easier dismount.

C. Seat-Tube Angle

This angle basically determines how the bike will handle. Today the standard for a seat-tube is to be set at a 72° to 73° angle. At 69° to 71°, it is a more comfortable ride, but a sharper angle increases the bike’s agility and ability to climb.

D. Headset-Tube Angle Along with the fork and trail, the headset-tube angle determines the steering characteristics of the bike. A steep angle together with a curved fork reacts more sensitively when steering; a flatter angle reacts

less sensitively. In the past the angle was set at 68°, but today the standard angle of the headset-tube is 71°.

E. Trail

The trail is the distance between two points marked from the center of the headset to the floor and by the extension of a line from the center of the front axle to the floor. This distance depends on the curvature of the fork and the angle of the headset tube. A longer trail makes for easy steering; a short trail causes the bike to react quickly to every movement of the handlebars.

F. Distance between the Rear-Wheel Axle and the Bottom Bracket

The longer this distance is, the more comfortable the ride. A shorter distance creates a “lively action” and a good climbing ability. The average span from the bottom bracket to the rear wheel for a mountain bike is 17″ (43 cm).

G. Distance between the Front-Wheel Axle and the Bottom Bracket

This distance determines the amount of toe clearance. Toe clearance means that the front tire and the tips of the rider’s shoes never come into contact as the rider pedals and turns at the same time. To do this, measure the distance between the center of the axle at the front-wheel hub and the center of the axle of the bottom bracket.

H. Wheelbase

This is the distance between the centers of both the front-wheel and rear-wheel axles. A long wheelbase makes for ease of handling and good straight-ahead riding. A short wheelbase makes for sensitive handling.

I. Height of the Bottom Bracket

This is the distance between the floor and the center of the axle of the bottom bracket. A lower bottom bracket makes the bike more maneuverable; an elevated bottom bracket means more stability and better straight-ahead riding. A very high bottom bracket makes it easier to clear obstacles.

J. Stem Angle

This angle is determined by the inclination of the headset tube. A wider angle gives an easy, more comfortable ride. A narrower angle gives a “sportier” feel. For the comfortable ride the angle should be set from 15° to 25°, for a racer the angle should be between 0° and 10°.

K. Length of the Stem

A longer headset (stem) will distribute the weight of the rider more evenly between the front and rear wheels. Longer headset tubes are more frequently found on racing bikes. A long headset tube is about 51/8″ to 6″ (13 to 15 cm); a short tube measures between 4″ to 43/4″ (10 to 12 cm). All measurements taken together, and their relationship to each other, define a bike’s characteristics. The ability to interpret a frame’s dimensions allows someone to predict a bike’s maneuverability, and allows the biker to determine if a bike will perform to his expectations.Tube Materials

More than 90% of all the mountain bikes used today are made from steel tubes. The steel tubes are all made from high quality steel alloys. Other substances have been added make sure the frame is problem-free as well as having a high degree of stability and flexibility. Although the steel tubes are of exceptional quality, they have one major disadvantage, their weight. Since weight is one of the basic problems of a mountain bike, there has been a search for a material that was light in weight as well as strong.

Aluminum has rapidly become the tube material of choice in the past few years. A decade ago aluminum was still an “exotic” metal, a term used to describe titanium today. The use of carbon fibre and kevlar are also being used more for the construction of bike frames. In recent years these materials have been used in more industries other than the aircraft industry, making them more affordable. Today builders use these materials because of their qualities: light weight, and good elasticity, both combined with good strength. Because the tube materials play such an important role in the way a bike reacts and feels it is important for a buyer to know what the bike frame is made from. It is also important to know the advantages and disadvantages of each of the materials. Steel

Since the mountain bike was invented, the frame manufacturers have used chrome-molybdenum-steel in various thicknesses to build high quality bikes. The two most used steel alloys are 25-CrMo4 and 34-CrMo4. For 25-CrMo4, the 25 means that it contains 25% carbon (carbon makes steel tension-resistant, and serves as a protection against deformation); CrMo4 indicates how much of the substances that improve the quality of the steel (chrome and molydenum) have been added. Manganese-molydenum is another alloy that may also be added. All of these alloys reach very good anti-breakage strength. High-quality steel tubes have seamless joints, and their ends have been reinforced or “butted”. The strength of the walls of high-quality CrMo tubes have been tripled. Butted tubes are strongest at the point where two tubes are joined, and are weakest in the middle of the tube.

The advantages of steel tubes are that it is a relatively inexpensive metal. The soldering the tubes produces strong, stable connections. Steel also tolerates a great deal of stress before it starts to break down.

There are two disadvantages of using a steel frame: it’s weight and it’s susceptibility to corrosion.

The fight against rust is endless; also, a search for a material that is light is still an ongoing process.

Despite these shortcomings steel remains the most reliable material for the frame industry.

Aluminum

The use of aluminum to make bike frames has increased rapidly in recent years. In order to make aluminum useful for mountain bike frames, an alloy had to be produced. Copper, magnesium, zinc,manganese, silicon, and titanium were each added; all of them increased the strength of aluminum.

Aluminum has a very high resistance to breakage. However, the maximum load capacity (the amount of pressure tolerated by a material before it becomes permanently distorted) of aluminum is not as high as that of CrMo steel. Because of this the strength of aluminum can be increased by widening the diameter of the wall of the aluminum tube.

The disadvantages of aluminum is that the price for high-quality aluminum is as high as the price for steel, but depending on the method used to connect the tubes, aluminum frames require more time to make, which in turn means that it costs more to the buyer. The tubes are either glued or screwed together with expensive sleeves, or they’re welded together. Both methods are expensive and time consuming.

Although aluminum tubing has only one-third of the rigidity of steel, when the diameter of aluminum tubes is doubled, the amount of rigidity is not simply twice but eight times higher. Another disadvantage of aluminum is its torsion strength. To improve the torsion strength of the aluminum the thickness of the wall was increased, this however, defeats aluminum’s weight advantage.

The advantages that aluminum tubing for bike frames are, that aluminum alloys are rust-free, they absorb shocks five times better than steel, and they’re light. Because the aluminum absorbs shock better than steel, the result is a more comfortable ride. Because of these reasons, the aluminum tubed bike frame is being used more and more frequently in the industry. Titanium

This material is used most often in fighter planes, but it is now being used for mountain bike frames. Because of its superior strength vs. its weight, the finished frame is very light and very strong. In the past titanium turned brittle after time, resulting in small cracks when under heavy loads. The adjustment in the combinations of the metals that were used it the alloys, titanium is now stronger than steel. The problem with this frame material was its price and its complicated manufacturing process, but the alloy and production problems were solved, and, together with a new welding technique, the production of titanium frames has become much easier.

The high price of titanium is titanium’s greatest disadvantage. Titanium is three times as expensive as CrMo steel. The welding method that weakens steel and aluminum has almost no effect on titanium. In the past it was necessary to do the welding in a vacuum chamber to protect the material against oxygen. A good titanium alloy has approximately the same strength as steel, but it achieves only 60% of steel’s rigidity.

This problem is also solved by increasing the diameter of the tube. A high torsion strength is titanium’s greatest advantage, a problem that was solved by making the walls of the tube thicker. Also, titanium is rust-free and is 40% lighter than steel. Carbon-Fibre

The future of mountain bike frames is in fibre and resin. The superiority of carbon tubes over steel, aluminum, and titanium is no longer a secret to mountain bike riders. This material provides great riding comfort, increased rigidity, and amazing shock absorption. Two types of tube stand out: round tubes that are glued together with aluminum sleeves and one-piece Monocoque frames. Besides carbon fibre, manufacturers are also using glass fibre, graphite fibre, Kevlar, and Spectra. It is important in the manufacturing process that a correct, multi-directional arrangement of the fibres is made to increase the torsion stress. Poorly made carbon-fibre tubes will fracture when exposed to heavy loads.

There are only two small disadvantages a carbon-fibre frame has. One is that it costs about four or five times more than a steel frame, and the other is that Monocoque frames have a very limited number of sizes. Other than those a lot better. Carbon-fibre frames are three times stronger than steel frames, and have 35% more rigidity. They are also well protected from corrosion. Carbon tubes

are 20% lighter than steel tubes; the sleeves used for joining the tubes add some weight, however, carbon frames are still 60%lighter than steel frames. Their excellent ability to absorb shocks (the energy flow of the shocks is diffused

by traveling from fibre to fibre) doesn’t diminish the frame’s rigidity. Carbon-fibre is considered to be the ultimate material for frame tubes. Suspension

In recent years the trend for mountain bikes is to be equipped with a suspension system.

However, it will take some time before all the problems with suspension are worked out. The high demand for some kind of suspension is because of the heavy load that the mountain bike’s material must bear. Until now, the solution was to increase the rigidity of the frame, but strengthening the material compromised comfort. The solution on today’s mountain bikes is by adding suspension to the wheels. Suspension was first used on racing bikes, but because of the harsh conditions a mountain bike goes through, it was only a matter of time before a suspension system was added to the mountain bike.

Front Shock Absorbers

The front shock was the creation of Paul Turner, who engineered the “Rock Shox”. This type of suspension is similar to the suspension used for motocross forks. This suspension consists of an aluminum fork crown with two telescoping blades that slide into each other when under pressure. The blades are either made from aluminum or steel. The distance of the spring action is about 21/8″ (5.5 cm). The degree of tension can be adjusted. There are two ways to absorb shocks: oil-pressure or air-pressure suspension, or with springs and oil. Plastic parts can also give good results.

Bikes that are equipped with front-wheel shock absorbers don’t lose contact with the ground, which allows for more control, and thereby making driving at higher speeds possible. However, this advantage only comes into play when riding at high speed, and when the shocks occur in quick succession.

Suspension prevents shocks from reaching the tire, and thereby prevents damage to the rim; rims aren’t as easily deformed. The greatest disadvantage is the change in the geometry of the bike. The steering-tube angle gets smaller, anywhere from 2° to 2.5°; the trail gets larger, which changes the handling of the bike from characteristically quick to a “sluggish” steering reaction. Add to this the additional weight of the shock absorber. A fork with a shock is around 171/4 oz. to 21/4 lbs (500 to 1000 g) more than a Unicrown or switchblade fork.

Suspension forks are particularly useful for a biker who doesn’t or can’t avoid obstacles and when riding at high speeds is the goal of the rider, like in racing competition, and especially in downhill races. For the average biker the suspension system won’t become useful until the system has been improved to:

1.Minimize geometrical changes;

2. Design the suspension in such a way that it can be turned on or off as circumstances require;

3. Reduce weight. Rear-Wheel Suspension

After the front-wheel suspension systems gained acceptance, it was only a matter of time before engineers designed a suspension system for the rear-wheel. This was considered to be an ambitious undertaking, because it meant jeopardizing the stability of the rear frame, a vital part of the frame structure.

At the end of 1990, Cannondale, Offroad, and Gary Fisher introduced the first rear-wheel suspension.

Cannondale and Offroad used similar systems. They both have elevated chain stays providing lateral sway, with the pivot point located in the front of the seat tube. Cannondale uses an oil-pressure suspension, the Offroad rear frame is protected against shocks by plastic devices. These suspension systems are well made and designed, but they also contribute to some problems: Stiff wishbone construction at the rear frame lessens lateral stability; interference with the important geometry of the rear frame by adding shock absorbers will also cause considerable loss to the bike’s lateral stability, changing the ride of the bike. Gary Fisher installed plastic devices to absorb shocks. They’re located behind the bottom bracket. Chain tension, however, makes the rear frame more rigid (due to the lowered seat-stay position); traction is not affected.

Rear-wheel suspension is great for riding downhill, because potholes are smoothed out, and tires are protected from severe punishment. However, uphill riding can be an ordeal when the rear of the frame bounces with every pedal stroke. This can drain the energy from the rider quite rapidly. A bike equipped with rear-suspension is also heavier. At this time no satisfactory solution has been found; the many different versions are all still in the experimental stages. This technology is still recent and still has room for improvement. A rear-wheel suspension that is standard to most bikes has not yet been found.

Gears

Shifting and drivetrain have undergone enormous evolutions. Today four different methods of shifting gears are available: single shift, double shift, rotation-grip, and grip shift. All four of the systems are different. The one thing that they all have in common is that they are all indexed. The functions of the front and rear derailleurs have reached high standards, technologically and functionally. In combination with numerous gear positions this is (at this time) the most perfect gear shifting system. The only disadvantage is that it needs frequent attention and adjustment.

To shift gears smoothly and silently before the invention of the indexed system was truly difficult.

It was a process of slow learning, and only professionals knew how to do it properly. The indexed system, however, made it possible for even a novice rider to master the art of shifting gears properly and with ease.

The indexed system has a built-in mechanism that enables the derailleur to move in such a way that the chain rests securely on the chain ring as well as on the sprockets.

Single Shifter

Today, as in the past, the single shifter is the one that most bikers prefer. It is close to the handgrip, and top mounted, this one is the lightest (51/4 oz or 150 g) and reaches every sprocket within a turn of 90°. This system also makes it possible to disengage the indexed system, so that in case of difficulties, the gears and derailleur can be used manually, using the friction system. The only disadvantage is that the position of the lever isn’t ergonomically perfect. The thumb has to move up above the handlebars each time the gears have to be shifted. However, the single shifter system is preferred for all racing bikes.

Double Shifter

For ergonomic reasons, a few of the professional mountain bike racers, moved the shifter below the handlebars. The lever worked well of the biker pushed the lever away from himself. It was pulling it back that was the problem. To solve this problem the double shifter was introduced in 1989. The shifter was split into two separate levers. The lower lever moved the chain to a larger sprocket and the upper lever moved the chain to a smaller sprocket. The whole procedure became more complicated; instead of one movement in two directions, using one lever; now two movements, using two levers in two directions was necessary. To shift gears it was necessary, even for trained bikers, to learn the whole new procedure.

despite the improved position of the shifter the double shifter system has a disadvantage; although by using the lower lever the largest sprocket or chain ring can be reached, to shift to a smaller sprocket (to the right), it’s necessary to push the lever six or seven times, causing a slight slowdown. Although it is a minor inconvenience for the recreational biker, it is a concern for mountain bike racers. Rotation-Grip Shifter

Handle bars with a diameter of 7/8″ (22.2 and 22.7 mm) are equipped with a 61/4″ (16 cm) long rotation grip with two or three mechanisms inside. The springs, activated by pressure, cause a mechanism either to tighten or to loosen the gear cable. In order to shift to another gear, the grip must be rotated. A dial lets the rider know on which sprocket the chain is riding on. Every sprocket can be reached within a 90° turn of the shifter. Later a lever inside the rotation grip was made that prevents the gears from jumping when riding in rough terrain. Despite the perfect ergonomical placement of the shifter, it does have two disadvantages; the increasing number of handlebar accessories leaves little room for mounting new ones, and accidental shifting can’t be totally eliminated.

Grip Shift

The “Grip Shift” is a system that can be mounted at several different places on the handlebars. A

21/8″ (5.5 cm) wide by 13/4″ thick rotation ring can be mounted on either the inside or outside of the grip and used on any handlebars that have a 7/8″ diameter (22,2 and 22.6). This system has an intricate system consisting of three ring-cups that turn within each other that tightens and loosens the gear cable by pulling it across a wedge. The only disadvantages is that a 270° turning radius is needed to reach all the sprocket.

The greatest advantage is its light weight. At only 2 oz (66 g) the “Grip Shift” is even lighter than the single shifter. Other handlebar accessories may also be added if desired. Front Derailleur

The front derailleur transports the chain rings. This is done by a chain guide, which can be moved from side to side by a cable, and is moved back with a retracting spring. Indexed systems also function with the derailleur, but still need further refinement. All too often the chain rubs against the cage and must be adjusted at the shifter. While it is quite easy at the shifter, it’s much more complicated with the rotation- grip shifter. Adjustments don’t last, and frequent attention is necessary. This is a main complaint about the rotation-grip shifter. Rear Derailleur

In order to accommodate the wide arrangement of the gears, the mountain bike’s chain housing has to be much longer than that of a road bike. The chain housing has to accommodate the largest sprocket.

The most popular type of mechanism is the “slant” mechanism, almost all rear derailleurs are built according to this model. With the slant mechanism, a much better functioning shifting system has evolved because the guide pulley “wanders” back and forth at the same distance over every sprocket. Brakes

Brakes are the only components that haven’t significantly changed in the evolution of the mountain bike. Today, the simple cantilever brake system has proven the most reliable for off-road riding. The future, however, belongs to disc brakes, which at this time, are still going through a trial and error period.

The concept of the disc brake is of interest for mountain bikers, because mountain biking makes such great demands on the brakes. These demands are best served by disc brakes for three reasons: First, the amount of space that disc brakes allow for the fat tires, so that mud accumulation won’t create problems; second, the brakes should weigh as little as possible; and third, they must function under both wet and dry conditions. But first we have to learn the basic, and still the most common type of brake system.

Cantilever Brakes

The best system is also a simple one, and one that works. The cantilever brake is a perfect example. Two moveable brake arms with brake shoes are mounted on bosses that are soldered to the seat stays, or to the chain stays. On many models both brake arms are connected by cables. At the end of the cable, which originates at the brake lever on the handlebars, are cable carriers to which a linking wire is attached. The link cable can be disconnected either at the left or right brake carriers. This release the tension and allows the rear of front wheel to be removed. On newer models the brake cable, which comes from the brake lever, is attached directly to one of the brake arms, and guided by a round cable carrier, connected to the other brake arm.

On traditional cantilever brakes, brake arms extend rather far to the outside for the best possible leverage. Sometimes this causes the rider’s feet to come in contact with the brake arms. This problem was solved by “Low Profile” brakes. Brake arms became longer, but the angles became much tighter. The

Pedersen cantilever brake makes use of the direction of the rim rotation to give more power to the brake shoes. The brake shoes are pulled in the direction of the wheel’s forward movement, creating a correspondingly higher brake action. When releasing the brake shoes, a spring action pulls them back into the neutral position, which results in an energy saving of 20%. Brake Shoes

Most brake shoes are made from a hard, friction-resistant, special material consisting of vulcanized rubberlike plastic, which has been constantly been improved over the years. New combinations made from synthetic rubber and pheol ressin have increased deceleration, but overall they lose an enormous amount of effectiveness when the rims are wet. Effectiveness when the rims are wet is the big disadvantage of all rim brakes.

Since the rim becomes part of the brakes in cable-carrying systems, the effectiveness of the brakes very much depends on the surface condition of the rim. The most recent rims have a layer ceramic on the outside which have improved the effectiveness of the brakes under all weather conditions.

Hydraulic Brakes

Hydraulic brakes operate by an enclosed oil tube made from polyamide. Pressure applied to the brake lever is transferred to a cylinder and the brake shoes. In spite of many advantages, these brakes are being used less and less, even though the last disadvantage has been eliminated. The disadvantage was that in order to remove the wheels, you would have to let the air out of the tires. This was solved by designing a brake so that the brake arms could be opened up so that the wheel could be taken off without letting the air out.

Disc Brakes

Despite the good track record of the cantilever brake, the search for an effective disc-brake system has started. A new bike company in California, Mountain Cycles, introduced a hydraulic “Pro Stop” disc- brake system in 1990. Aluminum discs (located at the hub of the wheel) have brake shoes made from a low-temperature fibre material. These brake shoes grip the disc in a “pinching” fashion. The brake shoes, together with the aluminum disc, don’t lose power under wet conditions. Power from hand pressure is perfectly transferred to the brake shoes. These disc brakes were developed in conjunction with a front-wheel suspension system. Their weight including fork is 53/4 lbs (2.6 kg). This system can also be mounted on conventional Unicrown forks. Brake Levers

The brake lever has been used ever since the mountain bike was invented. It has gone through improvement over the years in ergonomics, size, weight, and the way it performs. The lever pulls a brake cable, which transfers the pulling action of the brake arm of the cantilever to the brake shoe. The lever was shortened after it was discovered that it can be operated with only two fingers. There is also a brake lever with a roller mechanism, called the “Servo Wave”. When this lever is used, the pivot point changes the relation to the cable carrier, which causes the brake shoes to come closer to the rim. The closer the brake shoes get to the rim, the more effective the transfer of power from the lever to the brake shoes. All accomplished with a minimum amount of pressure applied to the brake lever at the handle bars.

Advancement of DNA in the Future (uses)

Presented by

Institution

History/background of DNA research

Gregor Mendel was the first scientist to do genetic research in 1857 where he conducted research with plants. He grew many pea plants for the duration of eight years, but unfortunately he died before completing his research. Later Friedrich Miescher and Altmann Richard discovered Nuclein in 1869. Miescher isolated a pure sample of DNA from salmon’s sperm, which was named nucleic acid in 1889 by Altmann. Interestingly, Fredrick Griffith discovered the basis of DNA as the molecule of inheritance. HUMAN Genome Initiative started in 1988 and continued to date. DNA consists of three elements, four components Adenine (A), Cytosine (C0, Guanine (G), and Thymine (T), sugar and phosphate (1).

Why DNA research is considered to be medical milestone

The research in DNA consists of a series of written commentaries and articles highlighting the most significant discoveries made by scientists since 1857. Future scientists will be more advanced in researching in DNA because they will use past articles to fill gaps left by previous scientists. In addition, DNA research is considered a milestone because in future advancements are likely to come up with more used of DNA other than the traditionally known uses.

Effects of DNA research on current practice

The current known uses of DNA do not meet the demands of the practice of medicine calling for more future advancements in the subject. Future Advancements in DNA research enlightens medical practitioners more on the human genetic formulation and other beneficial uses of DNA other than the currently known in today. Current practice of medicine faces many challenges because most facilities use the traditionally known uses of DNA test. Future advancement in technology will offers better chances for medical practitioners to conduct efficient and timely practices and achieve desirable results. Currently, researchers have not identified any specific impact of the genetic and genomic testing sector (2).

Implications and advancement in the future

Current scientists have not yet discovered the whole concept of DNA. Most people criticize the presence of nucleic genes and their role in life development of humans, animals and plants. According to (3), advancement in research of DNA continues to revolutionalize the sectors of medicine, forensic, paternity, agriculture and many others that have a positive impact on the society. Advancement of DNA in the future is likely to be used for testing cardiac catheterization response among patients. Additionally, future researchers will use DNA information as part of informed consent for participants in clinical trials. The process will prevent replication of participants and ensure only those people liable for a research take place in data collection (4).

References

Mandal A. History of DNA research. November 17, 2014. (Cited November 17, 2014).

Available from http://www.news-medical.net/health/History-of-DNA-Research.aspx

Tripp S. Grueber M. and Cummings D. The economic and functional impacts of Genetic and Genomic clinical laboratory Testing in United States. Battele Technology Partnership Practice. 2012. (Cited November 17, 2014). Available from http://www.labresultsforlife.org/news/Battelle_Impact_Report.pdf

Murnaghan I. The Importance of DNA. Updated July 23, 2014. (Cited November 17, 2014).

Available from http://www.exploredna.co.uk/the-importance-dna.html

Lewis L. Is future-use DNA sampling ethical? July 12, 2014. (Accessed November 17,

2014). Available from http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2012/07/13/is-future-use-dna-sampling-ethical/

Challenges for Facilitators in Group Process

(Author’s name)

(Institutional Affiliation)

Introduction

Power can be defined as the comparative ability of different individuals to pressure each other; and it has an essential role in advocacy. Aiding professionals usually work for the disadvantaged in the community and for them to advance their apprehensions; the activity of helping these professionals requires one to know how to influence the balance of power that exists between groups and individuals involved in a conflict. Professionals conversant with the structural theories and systems can make use of these theories to aid their power analysis and analysis of influences that individuals impose on others. This paper analysis these means of analyzing power based on ten power sources, which include associations, expertise, resources possession, procedure control, sanctions, legitimacy, nuisance, habit, personal attributes and morality. The paper will specifically put its focus on two of these powers; resource power and moral power. In specific terms, these powers are; expert power, associational power, resource power, procedural power, legitimate power, sanction power, nuisance power, habitual power, moral power, and personal power.

Resource Power

Resource power is the kind of power that results from control of assets that are valuable such as materials, money, or any other services and goods. The inverse version of this power is when an individual has the ability to live without these needed resources or make others do without them. Generally, this kind of power is useful in solving conflicts through the exchange of goods or resources or through refusing to exchange these resources. In many cases, clients are usually at a disadvantage when they rely on resource power. However, if a conflict occurs at a social agency then it is usually at an advantageous situation since it has the ability to access more resources in terms of professionals and money. Advocates can be of help to clients if they guide them on ways of securing assets from, for example, sources like social assistance benefits funds for legal aids among others. Additionally, professionals such as lawyers, educators, and other professionals might be of help if they offer to donate their time to the clients.

Another way clients can be helped to solve conflicts is to avail technology or enhance their access to technology. In most cases, it is people with money who have more access to technology than other individuals. Advocates, for example, can achieve this by promoting a better access to equipment and education in libraries, schools and other institutions. Advocates can also campaign for and promote higher levels of literacy. Advocates can also enhance advocate power by promoting or assisting with alternate exchange of resources. Some individuals might not have money for exchange but might have other resources. Advocates can make it possible for clients to exchange goods they have for those they do not have and need.

Moral Power

This is another form of power that results from appeals to values that are widely held like charity, family, privacy, freedom, democracy and fairness. Advocates can finesse this kind of power by using language that puts their cause in a better, positive light. Moral power forces individuals to make decisions on the bases of interests and values other than positions. However, positional bargaining usually results with each individual claiming for moral superiority. Based on this kind of power, advocates can help clients solve conflicts by helping them focus on values that are common. Putting the values of another in a bad light is unethical and goes against respect for diverse groups and individuals. Victim mentality is one way most people plead so as to gain support and sympathy. However, this technique can be damaging ultimately. This is because when people consider themselves victims, they never take any responsibility for bettering themselves. They become depended on mistrust and fear, and they are unable to recognize constructive CR techniques. These people might need the help of advocates who can do so by validating their fears, but at the same time help them gain more self- efficacy and confidence. By helping clients achieve these goals, the advocate helps victims take responsibility of their lives and better themselves by moving on with their lives. Advocates can also help such victims gain moral power by giving them support and encouragement to act in moral ways, like solving issues in ways that are non- violent.

Conclusion

These powers can be extremely beneficial in helping individuals solve conflicts morally and with resources that they can afford. Utilizing these powers can be an extremely helpful way of solving conflicts.

Reference

Barsky, A. E. (2007). Conflict resolution for the helping professions (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. 

Ahmya Ash                                                                   

Advanced Composition 213

Professor Ruby LewisOctober 29, 2020

“Everyday Use”

In Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use,” Dee (Wangero) Johnson neglects her real heritage and adapts a new one, while belittling her family who lack education. Dee remains unevolved throughout time no matter her changes in beliefs. Although Dee achieves her goals by overcoming her circumstances such as poverty and racial discrimination, she is not admirable for her achievements or courage. She is selfish and self-centered, and remains unchanged from her childhood to now after several years. When she was younger her family’s house burnt to ashes scarring her sister and leaving her family to start over again. Her mother “Mama” believes Dee watched the house burn in awe and that she should have done a dance around the ashes. Dee’s disregards empathy for her sister’s tragic experience, and lack of gratitude for the money raised for her education, gives insight to how self- centered she is (Alice, 451). Additionally, Dee continuously gravitating towards nicer more luxury items. Her desire for quilts indicates her static behavior. Dee usually parades around with flashy attire, making her a target to envy by her friends and family.

Dee’s relationship with her family first became estranged after she left for school in Augusta. Dee is the only one in her family that has the privilege of higher education. Mama and her sister “Maggie” did all that they could to raise money at the church to send her to college. Doing so, Mama noticed the first time Dee showed any sort of affection towards Maggie, which gives you context into Dee’s selfishness. Maggie, who is very timid, often gets anxious and nervous around her sister. Dee is exceptionally beautiful compared to Maggie, which does not aid in closing the animosity between sisters. While at school Dee was exposed to a life outside of rural and farm like living. She surrounds herself with individuals who are “woke” or actively seeking knowledge about their ancestry (Alice, 453). Indulging herself in the Black Consciousness Movement, she adopts a new-found persona or “heritage.” She does not have the best understanding of African culture. While on this journey she simultaneously neglects her own roots. More concerning, Dee’s attempts to try and “wake up” the community is more counterproductive than productive. She ultimately demeans and degrades her family and friends instead of inspiring their development.

During the Black Consciousness Movement, Dee acquired a new Afrocentric identity. Dee’s persona becomes loud, garish, and judgmental. She operates under the guise of “Black Pride” and a “pre-slavery identity” which is popular amongst many black college students of the 1960’s. Dee’s colorful attire and preference to be called “Wangero” seems forced and without nuance. Her appreciation of “everyday” objects, like the butter churn and quilts lies not in their practical usage, -but in the history of the objects. She seeks to reclaim these artifacts rather than use them in everyday life, which does not sit well with Mama. Dee challenges people including activists, separatists, or anyone else who disregards or rejects her version of Black legacy. The individuals who indulge themselves in the Black Consciousness Movement have a romanticized view of Africa. They do not embrace the cruel reality of what it is to be Black in America. Much less embrace the strength it takes African Americans to persevere in such circumstances. Dee has a theoretical domain of a belief system. This system stands out completely from the natural, and physical, work concentrated way of life Mama and Maggie are used to.

Dee’s distorted perception of her heritage stems from her not wanting to be connected to slavery. It is evident that Dee is more into displaying her new-found beliefs as a way to make herself feel more empowered in her life. Rather than embracing her history in a way that represents and expresses her ancestor’s trials and tribulations. Dee chooses to showcase parts of her life that look good. She picks and chooses that parts of her heritage that she wants to acknowledge and disregards the ones that don’t serve her image. She skips over the pain of the past and only shows a highlighted reel. Quite the opposite, Mama and Maggie have embraced all parts of the life they have built. Dee is fascinated by their rural authenticity, snapping photos while she visits them like they are on display at a museum. In doing so, Dee viably disrespects and cuts herself off from her family. Rather than respecting and grasping her authentic roots, Dee looks down on her family’s poverty. She believes herself to be above them.

Dee (Wangero) lives in her own world as she tries to find her new identity within African cultures. She has rejected her real and known heritage in favor of a constructed one. Dee does not think her sister and mother understand the value in their family’s artifacts. She has the vein idea that her ancestors’ belongings should be preserved. Being detached from the objects themselves she believes they should be preserved and admired later. Mama and Maggie have a personal bond to their family’s belongings. They have cherished the relationships with those who had them before. For Mama and Maggie using the possessions like the hand-stitched quilts, it is a way to keep the memory alive of those who made them. Due to Dee’s superficial nature she rather possesses items of her grandmother to show off to her peers. Which is ironic because at the same time she denounces her name which was also her grandmothers’. Dee is so determined to detach herself from her actual heritage; she ultimately loses herself in a fictional identity.

Works Cited

Walker, Alice. “Everyday Use.” Reading Literature and Writing Argument. 3rd ed. Eds. Missy James and Alan P. Merickel. Pearson, 2007 449–455

Radhi, Shaimaa Hadi. “Aesthetic Image of the Animal Epithet in Alice Walker’s Short Story” Everyday Use” Advances in Language and Literary Studies 8.5 (2017): 120-127.

Bell, Judith. “Like Mother, Like Daughter: Parental Expectations in Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use”.” 4 Kevin Ung, Director of McNair Scholar’s Program Introduction 5 Sara Baker, TRIO Logistics Manager & Coach Note from the Editor: 6.

Challenges Faced by Transgender Young Adults

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Identity crisis is a common problem among young adults, especially transgender people who experience changes later in their lives. Gender dysphoria is phycological distress that results from an incongruence between an individual’s sex that is assigned at birth and one’s gender identity which they developed later in life. Young adults are at a stage in life that poses a major psychological problem in which a person fails to relate to either socially acceptable gender – male and female. While a person may be born female, and transform later in life to be a male, they may undergo psychological and hormonal changes that they previously not experienced. As a result, most transgender people are vulnerable to symptoms of depression and anxiety as they are not sure whether they will be fully adopted by society for what they have chosen to be and what they were previously. For this assignment, I will analyze the poem, “A letter to the girl I used to be” by Ethan Smith to help understand the challenges that young adults pass through especially those experiencing gender changes.

The text, “A letter to the girl I used to be,” highlights the story of a young man in his early 20’s narrating the changes and challenges that he faced when transforming from a female to a male. According to the poem, Ethan describes how it feels to be trapped inside the wrong body. He writes to a young girl, a female version of his younger self named Emily. Previously, he was a girl, but presently, he is a male. In the poem, Ethan goes back to the days when he was Emily, and here he experiences numerous challenges. For example, he states that every time she goes to watch baseball, a voice he no longer recognizes whispers “Ethan, do you remember? When you were gonna be the first girl in the major leagues-Seattle Mariners. Rally Cap.” By this, Ethan is referring to him as a young girl who reminds him of the time, he was young and wanted to be the first girl baseball league player. When Ethan was Emily, he wanted to be a baseball player, but maybe his ambitions have changed since transforming from a female to a male, and this is why he is conflicted about his past and present interests.

References

Ethan Smith. “A Letter to the Girl I Used to Be.” Retrieved from: https://youtube.be/Lkn06Y8prDU

Challenges and Solutions to Evidence-Based Practice

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Research and Policy Differences

Evidence-based practice refers to the application of evidence to inform social work practice. Social workers rely on empirical and other types of evidence in making professional decisions in various scenarios during the course of their work. One of the advantages of evidence-based practice is that social workers rely on tested and proven methods which lead to the best outcomes. Despite the benefits of evidence-based practice, there are several challenges that social workers encounter. One of these is the disconnect between research and policy. Much research goes into finding the best evidence-based practices, but it takes time for these practices to be translated into policy. By the time social work policies are updated to reflect available research, there will be newer practices still, meaning social workers are unable to work with the latest evidence in the course of their practice (Grady et al., 2018). Both the social workers and the people they work with lose out as they may not have access to the most recent findings that may work best for them.

The solution to this disconnect between research and policy is to work towards an integrated system where policymakers work with researchers. The whole point of research is to find new and more effective ways of doing things, and this research should not go to waste due to the red tape and bureaucracy in policymaking. Policies should be frequently updated to reflect current research, encouraging innovation and leading to better outcomes for clients.

Generalization

A second challenge with evidence-based practice is that it is mainly based on aggregate data, which is a generalization that may not apply to individual scenarios. Research generally relies on samples to study trends and the efficacy of different interventions. While samples are usually taken to represent a general population, every individual has a unique situation. The evidence used by the social worker may not apply to certain people in these circumstances. This presents a challenge to social workers who work with people from different backgrounds as they need to come up with different solutions (Scurlock-Evans & Upton, 2015). There may not be adequate evidence to guide the social worker on what they should do in some cases. Samples give a general idea of what to expect, but this comes at the price of specificity. The worker has to adjust their knowledge to the specific situation based on factors such as age, gender, cultural background, race, and severity of the problem.

The best way to deal with this challenge is to encourage social workers to tailor available evidence to individual situations. Cultural competence training is essential towards this end. This involves training workers to be aware of the cultural backgrounds of their clients, which affects the way they accept and respond to treatment. There is no one size fits all solution in social work, meaning that social workers should be competent enough to recognize which solutions work best in specific situations. Tailoring evidence to specific situations based on the circumstances will ensure the best outcomes for both the social worker and their clients. Social workers must have a high level of awareness to make the best judgment in different situations.

In summary, evidence-based practice is an essential tool for social workers. It guides them on which solutions work best based on collected evidence. The workers have a good idea of what solutions they should apply and what results to expect. Despite challenges such as the disconnect between research and policy and generalization, evidence-based practice is still a critical tool in social work. It equips social workers with relevant information and evidence that guides their practice, allowing them to make the best decisions for their clients.

References

Grady, M. D., Wike, T., Putzu, C., Field, S., Hill, J., Bledsoe, S. E., & Massey, M. (2018). Recent social work practitioners’ understanding and use of evidence-based practice and empirically supported treatments. Journal of Social Work Education, 54(1), 163-179.

Scurlock-Evans, L., & Upton, D. (2015). The role and nature of evidence: A systematic review of social workers’ evidence-based practice orientation, attitudes, and implementation. Journal of evidence-informed social work, 12(4), 369-399.