I started out today to just wish everyone a Happy July 4 celebration of the birth of our nation. And, by all means, Happy Independence Day to you all! (a day or two early because I will certainly be at a barbecue or a pool or both on Monday!) But along the way I was sidetracked by an article concerning scientists  who have apparently discovered a way to link strands of DNA through chemistry. 

In December of 2009 NASA launched an interesting vehicle. Entitled Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer or WISE, this satellite entered a polar orbit and began scanning the skies, collecting images taken at four infrared wavelengths of light. WISE captured more than 2.7 million images of various objects from distant galaxies to close by asteroids.

Last week the Space Shuttle Discovery made its final launch into space. I came across this incredible video showing the launch, not from the ground as we are accustomed to viewing it, but rather from the vantage of a high altitude aircraft. Have a look for yourself....

I don’t know about the rest of the country, but here in the Midwest schools traditionally host science fairs in the winter months. I expect it is the same across the country.

"What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet..." Yes, Shakespeare said it best, as always. But in the world of school assemblies, names can be quite confusing.