title: Year 8 Students Perceptions of Science and Scientists

authors: Narayan, Chhaya

abstract: The perceptions students have of science and scientists influence their engagement with the subject. These perceptions are formed through exposure to scientific practices at school and outside of school, as well as by how science and scientists are portrayed. Internationally and nationally there is growing concern about the decline in students studying science beyond what is compulsory. Studies have reported that students’ ideas about scientists are dominated by stereotypical images and, while the idea of the ‘mad male scientist’ has changed over time, contemporary images that represent the ways how scientists work are still absent from many students’ experiences. In response to this concern resources have been developed to provide examples of working scientists, one of which is the New Zealand Science Learning Hub website. The use of ICT resources like this one requires technological pedagogical content knowledge, in order for it to provide meaningful learning experiences. Evidence is now needed to ascertain whether or not such resources have much influence on the ways students think about science. This study sought to explore 38 year eight students’ ideas about scientists and to observe any changes that occurred through the watching of online video narratives about scientists. The data collection methods used were drawings, classroom observations and semi-structured interviews. The results of this study reveal that the students tested were generally positive about learning science at school and had a good understanding of what scientists did. However, students’ knowledge was limited to their classroom experiences and students who participated in extra-curricular science activities displayed an advanced understanding. The video intervention showed that students who had limited science experiences showed a shift in their perceptions of science and scientists. This study suggests that to keep students engaged in science and to improve their attitudes towards science, meaningful intervention needs to occur. Teachers need to invite students’ to share their funds of knowledge and their experiences. Using meaningful resources such as those found on the Science Learning Hub website can enhance students’ understanding of science and scientists.

text: Year 8 Students Perceptions of Science and Scientists The perceptions students have of science and scientists influence their engagement with the subject. These perceptions are formed through exposure to scientific practices at school and outside of school, as well as by how science and scientists are portrayed. Internationally and nationally there is growing concern about the decline in students studying science beyond what is compulsory. Studies have reported that students’ ideas about scientists are dominated by stereotypical images and, while the idea of the ‘mad male scientist’ has changed over time, contemporary images that represent the ways how scientists work are still absent from many students’ experiences. In response to this concern resources have been developed to provide examples of working scientists, one of which is the New Zealand Science Learning Hub website. The use of ICT resources like this one requires technological pedagogical content knowledge, in order for it to provide meaningful learning experiences. Evidence is now needed to ascertain whether or not such resources have much influence on the ways students think about science. This study sought to explore 38 year eight students’ ideas about scientists and to observe any changes that occurred through the watching of online video narratives about scientists. The data collection methods used were drawings, classroom observations and semi-structured interviews. The results of this study reveal that the students tested were generally positive about learning science at school and had a good understanding of what scientists did. However, students’ knowledge was limited to their classroom experiences and students who participated in extra-curricular science activities displayed an advanced understanding. The video intervention showed that students who had limited science experiences showed a shift in their perceptions of science and scientists. This study suggests that to keep students engaged in science and to improve their attitudes towards science, meaningful intervention needs to occur. Teachers need to invite students’ to share their funds of knowledge and their experiences. Using meaningful resources such as those found on the Science Learning Hub website can enhance students’ understanding of science and scientists.

year: 2011

title: In silico comparison of continuous glucose monitor failure mode strategies for an artificial pancreas

authors: Lu, Yunjie

subjects: computer science

abstract: An artificial pancreas is a medical Internet of Thingsbased system consisting of a continuous glucose monitor, an insulin pump, and a micro-controller. The use of artificial pancreas systems is becoming increasingly popular amongst patients with type 1 diabetes due to its effective ability to allow the patient better control of his/her own blood glucose levels compared to other more standard treatments. In this paper, the problem of missing sensor readings in the glucose monitor data is considered. How should the microcontroller (which adjusts the insulin pump based on monitor readings) react when the glucose monitor stops transmitting for an unpredictable period of time? A strategy that answers this question is called a failure mode strategy. In this paper, several potential failure mode strategies are explored in the context of simulation experiments. Results are presented showing that at least one effective and simple failure mode strategy (0.5µ & LR<72) exists.

text: In silico comparison of continuous glucose monitor failure mode strategies for an artificial pancreas An artificial pancreas is a medical Internet of Thingsbased system consisting of a continuous glucose monitor, an insulin pump, and a micro-controller. The use of artificial pancreas systems is becoming increasingly popular amongst patients with type 1 diabetes due to its effective ability to allow the patient better control of his/her own blood glucose levels compared to other more standard treatments. In this paper, the problem of missing sensor readings in the glucose monitor data is considered. How should the microcontroller (which adjusts the insulin pump based on monitor readings) react when the glucose monitor stops transmitting for an unpredictable period of time? A strategy that answers this question is called a failure mode strategy. In this paper, several potential failure mode strategies are explored in the context of simulation experiments. Results are presented showing that at least one effective and simple failure mode strategy (0.5µ & LR<72) exists.

year: 2020

title: Rolling Our Eyes Towards God: An Intervention Arising from Mormon Missionary YouTube Activity and The Cultural (Mis)Appropriation of Haka

authors: Simon, Hemopereki

abstract: This Kaupapa Māori Research writing inquiry explores the (mis)appropriation of haka and the social media video-sharing platform YouTube in that (mis)appropriation. The article examines the specific case of a group of Latter-day Saint missionaries in Wangarratta, Australia, who wrote and performed an English- language haka that the author finds violent and offensive. The article outlines Aileen Moreton-Robertson’s White Possessive doctrine in relation to the Church and white patriarchal salvation. Haka’s cultural background and appropriation are explained. Theoretical explanations of collective and cultural memory and YouTube as a social media platform and cultural archive follow. The author highlights YouTube grey literature sources on haka cultural (mis)appropriation. The 2006 case study “missionary haka” video is critiqued and analysed. Case study issues are discussed. The Church’s history of racial discrimination and violence and its religious aetiology of skin colour make this video ”misappropriated,” according to research. This performance uses haka to promote white and religious supremacy and the idea that you must be white and/or religious to be fully human. This message helps the LDS Church mission of possessing Indigenous souls and remaining the “true religion”.

text: Rolling Our Eyes Towards God: An Intervention Arising from Mormon Missionary YouTube Activity and The Cultural (Mis)Appropriation of Haka This Kaupapa Māori Research writing inquiry explores the (mis)appropriation of haka and the social media video-sharing platform YouTube in that (mis)appropriation. The article examines the specific case of a group of Latter-day Saint missionaries in Wangarratta, Australia, who wrote and performed an English- language haka that the author finds violent and offensive. The article outlines Aileen Moreton-Robertson’s White Possessive doctrine in relation to the Church and white patriarchal salvation. Haka’s cultural background and appropriation are explained. Theoretical explanations of collective and cultural memory and YouTube as a social media platform and cultural archive follow. The author highlights YouTube grey literature sources on haka cultural (mis)appropriation. The 2006 case study “missionary haka” video is critiqued and analysed. Case study issues are discussed. The Church’s history of racial discrimination and violence and its religious aetiology of skin colour make this video ”misappropriated,” according to research. This performance uses haka to promote white and religious supremacy and the idea that you must be white and/or religious to be fully human. This message helps the LDS Church mission of possessing Indigenous souls and remaining the “true religion”.

year: 2023-02-05