When the word "technology" is discussed we often start talking about computers, tv's, and other thing we use every day but the truth is that technology extends far beyond things we commonly encounter.  The following is an article about Mercury and the technology used to capture pictures of our solar system.  Read the article and share a thought or two about it.  Then think of another "outside the box" use for technology.  Find a related article and post the link as well as a couple sentences about how the techonolgy is used, what it is, and how it affects our society.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/29/first-image-of-mercury-from-orbit-released/?hpt=C2

People used to think it was amazing if you had a phone at your house...

And now its not unusual to find a 10 year old with their own cell phone.  Things we think are common parts of everyday life were once some sci-fi dream that people thought would never happen. Here is a few things that today we might think are bizzare but might be common place at your 20 year high school reunion.  Which do you think is most likely to become a reality? Why?  Choose three of the inventions and discuss how you think they will affect society.  What will they replace? How will the aid people? How will the hinder our current way of life?

 http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/03/25/science.fiction.kaku/index.html

Japan Nuclear Disaster

The news is currently jam packed with stories relating to the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in reccent days.  This is a tragedy on so many levels.  Read the following article on the effects of radiatin on humans.  Several nuclear power plants were damaged in this disaster and it is now leading to a nation-wide state of emergency.  After you have read the article search other news outlets (CNN, Global news, Yahoo, etc.) and find three more related articles on various problems Japan is facing.  Paste each link in a post and summarize each article under each link.  You will be asked to share your findings with the class.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/21/japan.radiation.food.risk/index.html?hpt=T2

Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel?

This is something your parents and driver ed teachers have been telling you for years but are you really taking their advice?  Read the following article about how car manufacturers are trying to keep up with the latest trends in technology.  Do you you think this is a good idea?  What are some of the pros and cons to their new ideas and integrated car technology?  What does your vehicle currently have factory installed and what other technology do you regularly use that is not "part" of your car?

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/09/21/smartphones-high-tech-cars-onstar/

What are you searching?

As a society we are somewhat obsessed with searching the internet for information about any topic under the sun.  Personally as soon as I am questioning something I turn to Google or Yahoo for the answer.  Things such as song lyrics, mathematic conversions, weather, the relationship status of a celeb, etc.  The options are endless.  What are three things you regularly search on the internet? Read the following article.  How many of the Top 10 have you searched this year?  Which of the Top 10 interests you the most and why?  Which is the least likely for you to search?  How do you think our instant searching habbits are changing society?  Do you think the constant and virtually instant access to information allowed by technology is a good or bad thing? Why?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/12/01/yahoo.most.searched.terms/index.html

More Facebook, more self-esteem?

Read the article.  Do you think what the researches found is generally true? Why or why not?  How many hours a week do you spend on Facebook or other similar networking sites? Do you feel that these hours benifit your self-esteem? Do you often feel better abou yourself after you've read something nice someone wrote on your wall or relived a fun moment in pictures? Share your thoughts.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/social.media/03/01/facebook.self.esteem/index.html?iref=NS1