Teachers’ Perceptions of Creativity and How It Relates to Primary School Science: A Reflection

The aim of my MA dissertation was to explore teachers' perceptions of creativity and how this relates to primary science lessons through the context of an Academy mantra which stated that teachers will endeavour 'to develop a child's creativity'. My literature review makes the case that creativity is a set of skills or traits a person holds which can be developed through acts such as being taught creatively and being situated within a creative environment. These skills can be used across the curriculum, meaning creativity is not subject- bound. As a scientist one would need to: make unforeseen connections, have originality of ideas, articulacy and curiosity which are all key skills of creativity. This also demonstrates how creativity does not have one definition and how the notion that it has can blur professional judgment and cause confusion. Using a case study, a questionnaire was completed by teachers and senior leaders within the school and this was followed by three semi-structured interviews. The interviewees were able to discuss their own perception of creativity, how it appears in their classroom and what barriers they face in promoting it. These questionnaires and interviews were evaluated to generate themes. There was one unexpected finding in the first interview, so I took the opportunity to explore this further in the subsequent two interviews and discuss this in the critical review

Comparison of finite-difference schemes for analysis of shells of revolution

Several finite difference schemes are applied to the stress and free vibration analysis of homogeneous isotropic and layered orthotropic shells of revolution. The study is based on a form of the Sanders-Budiansky first-approximation linear shell theory modified such that the effects of shear deformation and rotary inertia are included. A Fourier approach is used in which all the shell stress resultants and displacements are expanded in a Fourier series in the circumferential direction, and the governing equations reduce to ordinary differential equations in the meridional direction. While primary attention is given to finite difference schemes used in conjunction with first order differential equation formulation, comparison is made with finite difference schemes used with other formulations. These finite difference discretization models are compared with respect to simplicity of application, convergence characteristics, and computational efficiency. Numerical studies are presented for the effects of variations in shell geometry and lamination parameters on the accuracy and convergence of the solutions obtained by the different finite difference schemes. On the basis of the present study it is shown that the mixed finite difference scheme based on the first order differential equation formulation and two interlacing grids for the different fundamental unknowns combines a number of advantages over other finite difference schemes previously reported in the literature

Wind turbine acoustic standards

A program is being conducted to develop noise standards for wind turbines which minimize annoyance and which can be used to design specifications. The approach consists of presenting wind turbine noise stimuli to test subjects in a laboratory listening chamber. The responses of the subjects are recorded for a range of stimuli which encompass the designs, operating conditions, and ambient noise levels of current and future installations. Results to date have established the threshold of detectability for a range of impulsive stimuli of the type associated with blade/tower wake interactions. The status of the ongoing psychoacoustic tests, the subjective data, and the approach to the development of acoustic criteria/standards are described

Chain sampling inspection plans - ChSP-0,4 AND ChSP-1, 4 Technical report no. n-24

Two-stage chain sampling inspection plan

Epithelial organization and cyst lumen expansion require efficient Sec13-Sec31-driven secretion

Epithelial morphogenesis is directed by interactions with the underlying extracellular matrix. Secretion of collagen and other matrix components requires efficient coat complex II (COPII) vesicle formation at the endoplasmic reticulum. Here, we show that suppression of the outer layer COPII component, Sec13, in zebrafish embryos results in a disorganized gut epithelium. In human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2), Sec13 depletion causes defective epithelial polarity and organization on permeable supports. Defects are seen in the ability of cells to adhere to the substrate, form a monolayer and form intercellular junctions. When embedded in a three-dimensional matrix, Sec13-depleted Caco-2 cells form cysts but, unlike controls, are defective in lumen expansion. Incorporation of primary fibroblasts within the three-dimensional culture substantially restores normal morphogenesis. We conclude that efficient COPII-dependent secretion, notably assembly of Sec13–Sec31, is required to drive epithelial morphogenesis in both two- and three-dimensional cultures in vitro, as well as in vivo. Our results provide insight into the role of COPII in epithelial morphogenesis and have implications for the interpretation of epithelial polarity and organization assays in cell culture

Reinforced carbon-carbon oxidation behavior in convective and radiative environments

Reinforced carbon-carbon, which is used as thermal protection on the space shuttle orbiter wing leading edges and nose cap, was tested in both radiant and plasma arcjet heating test facilities. The test series was conducted at varying temperatures and pressures. Samples tested in the plasma arcjet facility had consistently higher mass loss than those samples tested in the radiant facility. A method using the mass loss data is suggested for predicting mission mass loss for specific locations on the Orbiter

Book Review: A Right to Read; Segregation and Civil Rights in Alabama’s Public Libraries, 1900-1965

A review of the book A Right to Read;Segregation and Civil Rights in Alabama’sPublic Libraries, 1900-1965, by Patterson Toby Graham. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 2002