TED: Zombie Roaches and Other Parasite Tales

In this fascinating, hilarious, and ever-so-slightly creepy 2014 TED talk, science writer Ed Yong tells the story of his favorite parasites - animals and organisms that live on the bodies (and brains!!) of other organisms, causing them to do their bidding.  Do humans have them too?  Maybe...

TED: The Astonishing World of the Deep Ocean

In this 2008 TED talk, ocean explorer Robert Ballard takes us on a mind bending trip to hidden worlds under water, where he and other researchers are finding unexpected life, resources, and even new mountains. (Chemosynthesis?!!)  He makes a case for serious exploration and mapping.

VT Board of Education Resolution on Equitable, Efficient & Effective Educational Reform in Vermont

Sent on behalf of the Vermont State Board of Education -

March 22, 2016

Dear Legislators:

Attached please find a resolution unanimously adopted by the state board of education at its regular meeting of March 15, 2016. We are aware of and appreciate the state's efforts to limit new programs. We are also aware of your efforts to improve existing laws to manage our limited resources as wisely and economically as possible.

Two recent policy issues stand out as needing prioritized attention, the first is that the pre-school law is a voucher subsidy for the middle class and the affluent. This will only exacerbate our achievement gap and equity problems. It could prove to be the basis for legal action against the state. The second is that the dual enrollment bill is also a subsidy for the wealthy. While a goal may have been to encourage higher education for the less affluent, in practice, it is proving to be the opposite.

We think that these issues are paramount and need to be addressed quickly. Otherwise, a new constituency will form with the purpose of protecting what will rapidly be seen as an entitlement.

If you would like members of the state board to discuss these issues with you, we would be glad to do so.

Sincerely,

William J. Mathis, Ph.D.

Chair, Legislative Committee

Vermont State Board of Education

wmathis@sover.net

(802) 383-0058