Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Phineas Gage


Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story about Brain Science tells the incredible story of a railroad worker who, in 1848, survived the piercing blast of a 13-pound iron rod as it entered below his cheekbone and exited the front of his skull.  Miraculously, he survived eleven years after the surgery and became a textbook case in brain science. Although he could walk, talk, work, and travel, Phineas was changed. He had a new personality. John Fleischman, the author, is a science writer for the American Society for Cell Biology. This book includes photographs and a glossary. Whether or not you intend to grow up to be a brain surgeon, you will find this true story a compelling read!

Crickets


Here's a mathmatical cricketism from Mrs. Hobensak:  Count the number of times a cricket chirps within 15 seconds and add 37, the result will be an approximation of the temperature outside. So the next time you lose your thermometer, catch a cricket and start timing! This is an actual SWAHS Library Cricket. No Crickets were harmed in the creation of this post!