What is a Quetzal?

I chose the Quetzal because it has just about the craziest name I have ever heard! And that is not its only name, it is also called the "Resplendent Quetzal" or the "Guatemalan Quetzal." In Latin, this bird is titled Pharomachrus moccino. The quetzal is a bird and therefore belongs to the group Chordata. This bird lives in the mountains and tropical forests of Central America and has been held as important for thousands of years; even the Mayans and Aztecs believed this bird to be sacred. In Guatemala, this bird is a symbol of the nation and even the currency in Guatemala is dealt out in "quetzals." The quetzal weighs only 7-8 ounces, but what it lacks in weight, it makes up for in height. The quetzal can grow to be 24 inches long (that's two feet, a pretty big bird). During mating season, the male quetzal gets much taller as he grows a 3 foot long tail to impress a mate. While females do not grow as long of a tail, they are different than most female birds in that they share the vibrant colors of the males. The quetzal is an omnivore, meaning that it eats meat and plants, and enjoys eating fruit, insects, and lizards. Sadly enough, the quetzal is a threatened animal because of the destruction of the forests in Central America. One country in particular, Costa Rica, has made efforts to preserve the forest and has set apart land that these birds can continue to live on.

*Research based on information found from http://www.animals.nationalgeographic.com/

Just a Theory?

In my lifetime, I have heard countless people explain evolution to me as “just a theory.” Having grown up in a Christian home and church, I believe that the people around me would often say this because they believe that evolution is wrong and the Church, as a whole, believes the same. Many Christians will add the “just a” before the “theory” to try to downplay the authority of what a theory really is (a generalization accepted by the scientific community after many years of testing and study). I also think that many people call evolution “just a theory” because they have not taken the time to learn about science and to actually understand what they are talking about. There are many people in the church who have taken that time and I am much more able to respect them because they are not only dialoguing with their hearts but are engaging their minds in this argument. The third reason I think that the Church tries to downplay evolution is because of the history that science and religion have had for centuries. People default to the idea that science and religion can never agree. I think that this makes people, including Christians, afraid to ask questions in their faith or in the world of science. But God never said that we should have a spirit of fear, but to be engaged in every sphere of influence in this world. I believe in intelligent design, but I also think that people should learn more about evolution-it is a fascinating and deeply rooted theory that is worth understanding.

Especially if someone is going to call it “just a theory.”

Pseudoscience

One idea that is an obvious piece of pseudoscience is a statement that I have heard from many people: the myth that “a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s.” I looked at this and ten other common myths, such as “chickens can live without their heads” and “it takes seven years to digest gum,” on the following website: http://www.livescience.com. I researched this topic and found it to be totally false; all teeth (and mouths) have the same types of bacteria (or as we usually call it plaque). This means that even though we may try to justify Pluto licking our hands after he has just eaten his own poop because his mouth is “much cleaner than ours,” unfortunately, his mouth is actually pretty disgusting.

One idea that may be pseudoscience but may also be true is global warming. I have read articles for and against global warming in science classes during both high school and college and there seems to be evidence on both sides. My understanding of global warming is somewhat minimal, but I lean towards the side that global warming is not an actual scientific fact. From the articles I have been presented with, the effects of global warming just do not seem to only be tied to global warming but to many different factors. The evidence for global warming just does not seem overly persuasive or convincing.

I think that, as with any lie or myth, that pseudoscience can exist because there is a little bit of truth in it. The effects of global warming do exist and have a cause, but it may not necessarily be global warming. I believe that parties on either side of any debate would focus on whatever truth, however small or major, that is on their side to forward their cause, even if it means ignoring the rest of their case that may be false.

Hi friends!
My name is Alyssa and I am an elementary education major in my senior year at William Jessup University. I am starting student teaching this semester in a second grade class, but the dream is to eventually teach sixth grade. My favorite things in the world are photography, journaling, and chai tea and if I could be anywhere right now I would love to be in Colorado Springs. I have put off taking a Biology class as long as I could because it is definitely not my favorite subject (no offense Professor Martinez), but I need it to graduate, so here I am! I am excited to get to know all of you and survive this crazy class :-)