Rock Academics Program

Members of The Winners are expected to post responses to this topic by 8am Thursday, May 24th. Everyone else can post for Extra Credit!

From Cecilia and Emma’s email:
Today, the Internet, especially social networking sites, influences teens. The cinnamon challenge is taking the online world by storm. With over 30,000 videos on Youtube and Facebook, teens and young adults everywhere are attempting this dangerous dare. This simple challenge can go from fun and games to a serious turn of events in a matter of seconds. Check out this news article discussing this new fad. Also take a look at this website featuring videos of mostly failed attempts (these are YouTube videos, so you’ll need to visit this site outside of our academic areas).

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Have you heard of the Cinnamon Challenge before? If so, where did you learn about it? Were there things you didn’t know about this challenge that you learned after watching the videos and reading the article? Clearly this challenge has gained popularity on the internet and there are many other things on the Internet that influence people today. Why do you think people do things that seem like the “cool thing” to do?

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There have been many instances of serious outcomes pertaining to peoples’ health when people attempt the Cinnamon Challenge. Many people are aware of the effects from this challenge before they do it, but they still continue to do the challenge. Why do you think they do it anyway? Do you think there are some people who are still unaware of the dangerous consequences of attempting the Cinnamon Challenge? How would you react if someone you knew was about to try the Cinnamon Challenge?

Members of Team Bacon are expected to post responses to this topic by 8am Wednesday, May 16th. Everyone else can post for Extra Credit!

From Claudia’s email:
Have you heard about polygamy? Maybe you are not familiar with this word but polygamy refers to a marriage that includes more than two partners. This social practice is not well tolerated in most countries and it’s usually against the law. For a long time, there were a lot of cultures, societies, and civilizations around the world that accepted polygamy as a normal lifestyle and there were absolutely no problems for a man to have more than one wife. It’s said that polygamy comes from one of the least understood religious groups in America: the Mormon community.

American journalist, Lisa Ling, has researched this controversial issue. Take a few minutes to think about polygamy, even if you’re not well informed about it, and then watch this video about a young polygamist family.

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What do you think about Isaiah and his marriage with Marlene and Becca? Did your perspective about polygamy change after watching the video?

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Let’s discuss! Would you be able to live this lifestyle? Do you think that consenting adults who choose a polygamous lifestyle have the right to live this way? Do you think this religious belief affects our society? Remember, everyone is free to their opinion but you need to support your position in your response.

Members of Dance Moms are expected to post responses to this topic by 8am Wednesday, May 9th. Everyone else can post for Extra Credit!

From their email:
Hello fellow RAPA classmates! For our Wednesday Webday topic we chose a recent news article because it shed some light on tanning obssesions or “Tanerexia.” A New Jersey mother, Patricia Krentcil, was charged with second-degree child endangerment after allegedly taking her daughter with her into a tanning booth. She could face up to 10 years in Prison if convicted. Dermatologists believe Patricia has a disorder called “Tanerexia” where she is unaware of the color she has, which puts her at a greater risk for skin cancer. Tanning has always been a controversial topic, especially today in our society and we were very interested by the issue this article brought up. Please watch this video and read the attached article and then answer the following questions.

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What do you think of the evidence and the charges against Patricia Krentcil? Do you think Patricia’s (alleged) condition affects her parenting? Based on what you heard in the video and read in the article, do you think Patricia Krentcil should be convicted?

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Have you ever been tanning? Do you think “Tanerexia” could be a real disease/addition? Why or why not? Do you know someone who you think might be suffering from “Tanerexia?” What do you think you could do to help someone with this, or any, addiction?

Members of The Winners are expected to post responses to this topic by 8am Thursday, May 3rd. Everyone else can post for Extra Credit!

From James’ email:
Hello Fellow RAPA Classmates!!! I have decided on a very intriguing topic that will affect us as humans in the near future. This topic regards the understanding and study of mining asteroids in the solar system. It will also provide you a descriptive explanation of this new-found opportunity and how the mining will exactly occur. In the video, The Planetary Resources Incorporated investors provide a valued opinion on how mining for resources from space could possibly change and evolve the way we will live our life today. We could possibly find more raw materials that we could use in our future living.

Take a look at this video and answer some questions that will determine your knowledge of the video and will provide some outside opinions that could possibly help us all to fathom this new discovery and decide if it would be a good or bad thing.

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Peter Diamandis one of the co-founders describes the uses for mining asteroids in the solar system. Explain how his idea of mining in the solar system could eventually save our future existence on Earth and possibly provide later uses in the solar system?

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After watching this video on Mining for Asteroids in the solar system, do you think it would be an appropriate decision to move forward with the plan to mine asteroids for raw materials? Could this process possibly make a huge positive impact on Earth in the future? Please support your answer with evidence from the video or prior knowledge or understanding of this topic.