Smartwatches - Wearable Tech

Hey there, friend! Would you like to know about wearable technology? What's that, you say? Well, wearable technology is basically any kind of technology that you can wear on your body [1]. Wearable tech is also called consumer wearables. Pretty simple, right? There are all different kinds of wearable technologies including health and fitness trackers, gaming systems, medical devices, and smart accessories. While there are so many awesome wearable devices, I'm going to talk to you about one of my favorites, and one of the most popular, the smartwatch.

A smartwatch is like a teeny tiny touchscreen computer that you wear on your wrist like a watch, but it can do a lot more than tell time. There are different companies or brands that make smartwatches – like Apple, LG, Samsung, and Android [4] – and while they are similar concepts, different kinds of smartwatches have different abilities. What do they do, you ask? Well, I am here to show you.

There are four main types of smartwatches [2], one of them being fitness smartwatches. Fitness watches are a great option for those who love to be active and work out. Like before, many different companies have their own versions of fitness watches but for now, I am going to use the Fitbit as an example. The Fitbit is smaller than most other smartwatches and its main purpose is to track your daily activity [3]. Fitbits are known for tracking how many steps you take and setting step goals for you, but they can also track a lot of other cool stuff like your heart rate, sleep, your weight, how much water you drank that day, your workouts, and more! You can even sync your fitness watch to your smartphone or computer and see your data. You are able to set all kinds of different goals for yourself and keep track of your progress. How useful!

While fitness watches are pretty neat, not everyone is into health and fitness, which is why there are other kinds of smartwatches like notification smartwatches [2]. This kind of wearable tech is a type of smartwatch that is great for those who want to disconnect from their phone. Why? Well, these kinds of smartwatches sync to your phone and the user is able to receive notifications from their phone but are not able to reply to their notifications. These watches are usually made by traditional watch manufacturers and look like normal watches but alert the wearer when their phone receives a call, text, or social media notification. They are great if you are in class or in an important meeting and can’t use your phone but would like to stay updated if something happens, or even if you’d just like to cut down on your phone use. Notification watches allow you to be notified without any of the distractions!

 Now you are probably all familiar with the Apple Watch by now, but did you know that it is actually a type of smartphone smartwatch companion (SSC)? What the heck is that? Well, like the others, it is a type of smartwatch that syncs to your smartphone over WiFi and/or Bluetooth but unlike the notification watch, you are able to access and interact with its features. The SSC allows you to make calls and texts, stream music, track fitness goals, access apps, play games, and basically anything that you can do on your smartphone. That’s so cool, isn’t it? All the potential and ability of a smartphone wrapped up in a tiny wearable device that is both fashionable and functional.
All of the types of smartwatches that I talked about above require you to sync your device with your smartphone, but what if you don’t have a smartphone or didn’t want to have your device connected to your phone? Lucky for you, there are Standalone smartwatches. Standalone smart watches do not sync or connect to your phone, instead they independently on a network– Android, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, etc.– and use 3G or 4G LTE chips or eSim cards to provide the same kinds of features (calls, text messages, internet access, etc.) as other kinds of smartwatches [6]. You don’t even need a phone, computer, or anything like that to sync your smartwatch before using because it’s its own system. This means that you could potentially have a watch, like the Samsung Gear S2, that makes its own phone calls, receives its own texts, and everything else and not ever even need a smartphone because SSCs do it all by themselves! 

       There are all kinds of wearable technology out there today and smartwatches are just one of those. Watches have clearly come a long way from just telling time; there are smart watches that can track your fitness, send you notifications, connect to your smartphone, and even work as an independent device! It’s no doubt that wearable technology is on the rise and hopefully now you understand a little bit more about the different kinds of smartwatches out there and what they can be used for. So now is you happen to find yourself browsing for a new smartwatch you have the information you need to decide which kind would be most beneficial for you!

The Cookies You Can't Eat

Figure 1: A different kind of cookie!

Hi there! Do I look familiar to you? You're probably thinking, "Of course, you're a cookie!" You'd be right about that, but I am not the kind of cookie you eat! I go by many different names, sort of like how you have a middle name, a last name, and maybe a nickname, too. Some people call me a web or Internet cookie. Others call me a browser or HTTP cookie. For now, the name Internet cookie is just fine for me!

Figure 2: What I really look like. Look at the information I've found!

As you may have guessed, I live on the Internet. While I may look like food to you, I actually take the form of a small text file when I'm online (1). If you've ever opened up a Notes or Microsoft Word program on your computer, they kind of look like me. Anyways, I'm here to tell you about my job, one that is very important. This is very confidential, so don't tell anyone, but I am a SPY! Are you ready to hear all about my TOP SECRET missions? 

Inside the Life of a Private Eye

My job requires a lot of work. Day in and day out I patrol websites on the Internet. Think of your top 5 favorite websites to visit online. Now think of your friends' favorite websites. I've been to all of them. In fact, every time you go on a website, I'm there! This is because I am automatically downloaded to your computer, phone, or tablet the second you access the site (1). But keeping watch on websites isn't the only thing I do. The biggest, and most significant part of my job relates to you. Yes, you!

You see, even though I may only come from one website, I can see every other site you visit during your time on the Internet. From each one of those sites you go to, I am notified every time you like a post or video, click a link, search something, or buy something. My next task is to report my findings back to the original website I started at (2). Finally, I categorize you and millions of other people on the Internet by your online habits and patterns (2).

Figure 3: Being a spy requires a lot of thinking.

You might be wondering, why do I do these things? Well, the answer is, my information makes a lot of money. Have you ever had a friend at school tell you about a super cool game or toy and then gone home and looked it up? That's one of the things I am told about. When I pass this along, it goes from my main website to advertisers. Advertisers think this knowledge is very useful, because they can use it to figure out what things you might want to buy and then provide you with an easy way to get them. This is why you've likely gotten an ad for something you were just looking at, like the toy you heard about from your friend. The websites get money from the advertisers, and, if you click on the ad and buy the product, the advertisers get money from you.

Cover Blown?

Figure 4: I've been found out!

Honestly, I don't fit the definition of a spy exactly. A lot of the time, you've actually heard about me, maybe without even realizing it! Most people click away pop-ups immediately when they load on a website. By doing this, you've no doubt missed something pretty important that tells you about me! Look at Figure 4. Do you recognize this banner, or have you ever seen one similar to it? I won't go into too much detail, but there's a special reason for these banners. (Learn more)

Although I'm a very important part of the Internet, I often go undetected. Some people aren't recognizing all of my hard work! So remember, whenever you use the Internet, I'm using it with you.






References:

1. Maxim, M. (2016). Processing personal data by cookies. Revista De Stiinte Politice, (49), 66-76.

2. Gervais, N. (2013). Governmental internet information collection: Cookies placing personal privacy at risk. Bulletin Of The Association For Information Science & Technology, 40(2), 27-31.

3. Vector Cookie Drawing [Illustration] (2017). Retrieved from https://www.canstockphoto.pl/słodki-ciasteczka-dumny-litera-48910408.html

4. Cookie Text File [Screenshot] (2011). Retrieved from http://www.consumingexperience.com/2011/09/internet-explorer-cookie-contents-new.html

5. Vector Cookie Drawing 2 [Illustration] (2017). Retrieved from https://de.depositphotos.com/159923786/stock-illustration-thinking-face-sweet-cookies-character.html

6. Cookie Usage Notification [Screenshot] (2016). Retrieved from https://www.ostraining.com/blog/drupal/drupal-8-cookieconsent-law/

The First Life On Mars

Hi, I'm Dee!

Ever wonder what the world's strongest bacteria is? Everyone says that bacteria are dangerous and icky but I'm actually a good guy! My name is Deinococcus radiodurans, but you can call me Dee! I'm the world's toughest bacteria, I can survive ultraviolet light, extreme cold, dehydration and more. Because of this, scientists plan on taking me to Mars!

A TRIP TO MARS!

My job is very, very important for humans! Mars, aka the Red Planet, is the fourth planet in solar system but scientists plan to make it into a new Earth. What does this mean? Making a new planet from an existing planet is called terraforming. With the help of many astronauts and scientists you might be able to visit a new planet instead of a new country or state!

But Mars isn't ready for exploration just yet! Its average temperature is -76 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that ice forms at 32 degrees Fahrenheit! Also, it has no oxygen in its atmosphere. How are humans supposed to breathe?! Because of Mars' low atmosphere and lack of an ozone layer, ultraviolet light constantly scorches the ground. (1) This ultraviolet light is so strong it can destroy life! And if that wasn't enough, Mars' soil is also toxic to any potential visitors.

It's impossible for humans to survive on Mars in its current state but that's where I come in!

DEE'S JOB

The surface of Mars. We've got a long way to go before living here!

You'll need somebody-or something- super strong to be the first visitor to Mars! That bacteria is me! Because I'm so tough scientists want to use my DNA to change Mars.

Naturally, I live in very inhospitable environments on Earth, especially places with low oxygen. I'm a rare bacterium but I've been known to grow in Antartica, on surgical tools that are radiation-sterilized and even in sewage! I also have the ability to heal myself! If my DNA gets destroyed by nasty sun rays on Mars, I can simply use my repair proteins to fix myself up. And I even store multiple copies of my genes on chromosomes in my body. (2) I'm obviously the perfect candidate!

Scientists are still preparing me for my space trip though. Before I can go anywhere I have to be "trained" to detoxify the soil. If Mars' soil is less toxic, organic life can begin to grow! This means bacteria, amoebas and other microbes will evolve to thrive on Mars from bacteria like me. Once the soil is detoxified Mars' surface will be more hospitable to humans! 

To train me, scientists want to genetically modify my DNA. This means they'll change my DNA in a way that allows me to focus on cleaning up Mars soil. For example, I could be trained to eat heavy metals and radioactive substances! (3)

A WHOLE NEW PLANET

Although I can't do everything to fix Mars, my job is very important! Without clean and safe soil no plants will be able to grow. Can you imagine a world without trees or grass? Once my job is done, scientists can use other methods to create a stronger ozone layer!

If I work hard enough one day Mars could be the new Earth! With a terraformed Mars, humanity could grow more food for rising populations, have new houses and more. The possibilities are endless!

Mars is ready for terraforming!

Someday in your future you might be able to visit a new planet, isn't that amazing? But if you're going to step foot on Mars, make sure you visit me!














                                                      



References

1. Bailey, R. (2012) Does mars have rights? Reason, 43, 42-43.
2. Skelly, J. (2015) The microbes so extreme the might survive on Mars. BBC Earth. http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20151221-the-microbes-so-extreme-they-might-survive-on-mars
3. Slotnick, R. (2000) Extremophilic terraforming. American Scientist, 88 (2), 124-125.
4. Pokemon Solosis Variations [Illustration] (2015). Retrieved from: https://pokemon-variations.tumblr.com/post/124227273417/spaded-square-solosis-the-cell
5. The Bonneville Crater on Mar [Photograph] (2017). Retrieved from: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mars-surface-may-be-toxic-bacteria-180963966/
6. Vector-Cartoon Mars [Illustration] (N/A). Retrieved from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_46280119_stock-vector-cartoon-mars-character-isolated-on-white.html

                                                     

Homeschooling

What would schooling be like if it was taught at home? Would there be a big difference, or would it seem like almost the same? Why don't you ask one of the over 2 million homeschooled students nationwide (2).

There are many similar things between homeschooling and public schooling. Everyday for both homeschooled students and public schooled students there is always some type of learning or curriculum to go through. Both types of students still get text books to work through throughout the year for certain classes. And there are still tests and requirements to meet in each and every class. Most of the basic ideas are the same in both homeschooling and public schooling.

On the flip side there are quite a few differences too. As a homeschooler, you are taught at home instead of heading to a school to be taught. With that your teacher is not a paid worker from the school, it is now your parents or guardians, possibly even yourself. As stated in the previous paragraph, students still get textbooks. This is the curriculum the student is taught from. Since the books aren't coming from the public school, the family of the students have to pay for the books. Another difference in the lives of homeschool students and Public school students is their schedule. Public school students are put on a very strict schedule and have certain activities at certain times. On the other hand, the only real schedule a homeschooler has is that they have to reach a certain education goal or pass a test by a certain date.

In all respect homeschooling is a personal preference. There are pros and cons to both sides of homeschooling and it can effect everyone in different ways. Some pros of homeschooling are "Loose Schedules"(1). This allows students to have freedom over their schedule and schedule things during school times that public school students could not. The next pro to homeschooling is "emotional stability" (1). This is great to help students who have emotional problems and with the less interaction of people there are less worries about fashion and trends, along with less of a worry about being bullied.

 A few cons about homeschooling are that it's "time consuming"(1). This is because parents and students have to both be open in order to do their schooling. Even though they have a "loose schedule" its still hard to have both members of the family open at one time. One major con for families is the concern for money (1). As the family now has to pay for their books, supplies and possibly the curriculum it becomes a search for money in many families.

Like I mentioned before homeschooling is a personal preference. Some families enjoy it, and others despise. Homeschooling is not bad for a kid, although they can fall behind if they don't keep their self on track and stay self motivated. So will you become on of the over 2 million homeschoolers or not (2)?




References

Homeschooling Pros and Cons. (2015, September 14). Retrieved from http://www.publicschools.org/homeschooling-pros-cons/

Raley, B. A. (2017). Safe at home: Establishing a fundamental right to homeschooling. Bringham Young University Education & Law Journal (Vol.1 p.59-98)

(Safe at home)

Life on a Factory Farm

Figure 1. Peggy the pig.

Do you ever see a cute farm animal and wonder what their life is like on a farm? This is Peggy the pig and she lives on a factory farm with all her brothers and sisters (Figure 1). In case you do not know, a factory farm is a farm where large numbers of livestock are raised indoors in conditions intended to maximize production at minimal cost (2). This means that all the animals are always kept inside buildings because this system produces more meat and costs less for the farmers and owners of the farms. Peggy knows everything about factory farms, including the effects they have on the animals and the world.

What is a factory farm?

A factory farm looks more like a factory with many buildings and not much land while a regular farm has rolling pastures, cows grazing on the grass, and pigs rolling in the mud. On factory farms, animals like cows, pigs, and chickens, live inside buildings because the buildings do not take up as much land or cost as much to run as an ordinary farm. On factory farms, farmers give animals antibiotics to make them grow quicker, so food is produced at a faster rate.

Effects on the Animals 

Figure 2. Pigs in their cages.

Animals that live on factory farms do not get treated very nicely. The animals in their cages inside the buildings all day, never going outside. Peggy has heard stories of playing in the mud, but she has never experienced it. The buildings on factory farms should not house the large numbers of animals that farmers put in them (3). Peggy and her siblings are crammed into cages and pens that are so tiny that they can barely move around or play in them (Figure 2). Baby cows live in dark buildings for most of their days, not being able to see their mom (3). Peggy, her siblings, and the other animals have never been treated nicely, and that is not fair.

 Effects on the World 

Factory farms do not just harm animals, they harm the environment and people all over the world. Farmers give their animals antibiotics, even when they are not sick! The antibiotics make the animals grow so fast that some chickens cannot stand up because their body is too heavy for their legs to carry. Humans ingest the same antibiotics when they eat the meat from the animals, and we get immune to them, which means the antibiotics may no longer work when we are sick. Another effect is that farm animals pollute the earth more than cars, trains, airplanes, and other types of transportation (1). Farm animals produce greenhouse gas emissions, which pollute the earth and harm environment. Greenhouse gas emissions from farm animals would decrease if farmers stopped mass producing animals like they do in factory farms. It can be argued that factory farming helps feed people in the world who go hungry, but the system does more harm than good.

Why should you care?

Animals on factory farms should not be treated so poorly and neither should Earth. Peggy the pig does not want to live on a factory farm any longer and neither do the rest of the animals. The world needs people like you to stand up against factory farming, so animals can be taken care of properly, humans can live a healthy lifestyle, and our home on Earth can stay clean. 

If you want to learn more about factory farming, watch this video!

References

(1) Coller, J. (2016). The state of factory farming: Present and future. Agricultural Management Committee Newsletter, 20(1), 4-7. 

(2) Factory Farm. (2018, April 29). In Merriam Webster. Retrieved May 1, 2018, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/factory%20farm

(3) Zuzworksy, R. (2001). From the marketplace to the dinner plate: The economy, theology, and factory farming. Journal of Business Ethics, 29(1-2), 177-188. https://www-jstor-org.proxy-bloomuu.klnpa.org/stable/25074452 

The Story of Elana

There was once a princess dolly named Elana. She was the fairest of them all, as you can tell from the picture to your left. Her long blonde hair, her pretty purple dress, and powder pink heels. She was loving and beautiful. She loved to get dressed up real nice by her owner and best friend Clara. Clara played with Elana all through the night. Clara really, and I mean really loved her princess doll but she could not help but wonder where she came from.

Once Upon A Time...

there was a mom with an idea. An idea that would make every little girl in this world the happiest. She imagined the most perfect doll to exist. This doll would have the most perfect purple dress and the sweetest pink shoes. And the blonde hair to the ankles . Ms. Mom couldn’t wait any longer to make her idea real life. She was confused on what was the next step. She knew that she needed to make or manufacture the doll but she knew that anywhere near her house would just be WAYYYY too expensive. Just down the street there was a place called, “You Draw It, We Make It inc.” but they wanted to make Ms. Mom pay too much money to make her dreams come true. Having your work done close to home like a place like, "You Draw it, We Make it inc" is called nearshoring. So, Ms. Mom felt helpless until one night a sweet, sweet fairy God-mother came to tell her the most best news ever. The God-mother whispered in her ear that over seas, many many miles away she could make her dreams come true for HALF the price of the place in America. She informed her that this was the process of offshoring, sending certain business activities to far away countries for a much more cheaper cost. LIKE MAGIC. This sounds very silly right?

Ms. Mom was SUPER excited because the Fairy God-Mother gave her exactly what she needed to start the business of making the best princess dolls for the best little girls.

So, the story continues. Ms. Mom sent her ideas to a place far far away. 

Far Far Away

In many countries like China, India, and Mexico many people from here in America send things, like Ms. Mom, to get made for cheaper. A country like China will not charge as much to make the beloved princesses for the beloved princesses here. So Fairy God-Mother was very much right when she whispered her idea to Ms. Mom. I bet that your favored dolly clothes or big HUGE play kitchens in your room are all made from places like the ones mentioned above. As you can tell from the map below, China and the United States are FARS way away.  

Soon when just a few dolls made it back she knew they were all perfect. She knew that this would be her very own product. Product being what gets sold for a profit. And a profit being how much Ms. Mom would actually make after the cost to make the doll. As soon as she saw how amazing the doll looked she very quickly knew the best name. “Ill call her, Elana!” she screamed for all to hear.

Soon enough Ms. Mom had millions of Elana’s made at a much cheaper cost. And as soon as all the million princess dolls made it back to Ms. Mom’s small factory home she began to sell them to fairest lads of her country. Every young girl had their dearest Elana in hand. This is all thanks to the many mommy’s and daddy’s oceans away working their tails off to make beautiful princesses in America very happy. Using these mommy's and daddy's from far away to make Elana is called cheap labor. Labor being the act that provides goods and services. 

Although it sounds funny for owners of big businesses like Ms. Mom herself to send work across the seas, it saves lots and lots of money in the long run. Never would have Clara thought that Elana had come from such a ways away. Clara is so thankful for the trip that Elana made to get to her. Now every morning, every afternoon and night because of the act of offshoring, Clara gets to really enjoy the presence of her favorite princess doll. And THAT my friends is a.........

HAPPILY EVER AFTER. 



Work Cited: 
http://drkateroberts.com/2014/05/13/despite-her-unreal-proportions-can-barbie-be-good-for-girls/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93United_States_relations
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-illustration-china-illustrated-map-hand-drawn-vector-illustration-kid-children-chinese-landmarks-icons-temple-dragon-shaolin-monk-image98878172
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labor

online vs traditional schooling (middle schoolers)

Online Schooling preferred vs Traditional Schooling

Little Girl completing school work through online
Figure 1

Did you ever wonder why your friend that lives on your block stays at home when you go to school? Well it's not that the kid just done go to school, it's just that kid gets educated through online schooling. 

What is Online schooling ?

Online Schooling is most likely assumed to be just online classes instead of being in a actual school building classroom. It's much more than that within this type of schooling. A way of getting your education through the internet and online sites.

It consists of fun learning activities for kids to be able to get educated in a fun and exciting way. This source of education is put together to benefit students who are physically not meant to be within a school building.   

Figure 2

The importance of online schooling could be many reasons. First off is because if you have a busy schedule throughout the day then it will make it flexible for you. For example, if you have any extra curricular activities (sports) right after school ends at 3'oclock the student then would have time to get your self ready for it since you would already be at home. Also, the students tend to have access to their online program 24/7 all day verses traditional you only have access until the school building closes. So if the student need the study late night like 8'oclock or 9'oclock then they would have access to it and be able to get their studying on!!!

The idea of online schooling may seem or sound like an easy way out for getting your education instead of going through traditional school which is considered the harder way. In reality, this form of education should not be held against any student that doesn’t consider physically attending school.

What is Traditional Schooling?

Teacher instructing and teaching kids inside classroom
Figure 3

 Traditional Schooling consist of an actual school building with real life teachers instructing the work to the students and teaching them through textbooks and powerpoint's. This way of getting your education is the most common way of getting educated. Student's parents would prefer traditional verses online because everything is handed in hand. Which means, the homework and classwork are within a paper (worksheet). The good thing about that is that it's actual in your hands and you can take that work home to your parents or to any other resources if need additional help on specific assignment or just wanted recognition of completing the assignment.