Frontcover September 2008

What is it the word SCIENCE?

by Adriana Obreja, class X B
“Vasile Alecsandri” High School, Galati, Romania

Think about a world with no technology…no means of transport, no television, no phones, no electric power, no anything! For humankind, it would mean the return to antiquity, where people would become no more than savages. Science had made it possible for us, as a whole, to evolve greatly and to increase human understanding of how the physical world works.

However, clearly, we have not reached a fully developed understanding, as war, even at this stage of evolution, is a constant threat. If a nuclear war were to be commenced, all science and technology would be eradicated completely. This threat is no fiction, as during the Cold War we were awfully close to a worldwide catastrophe.

Science is, in my opinion, as necessary as it is dangerous. People cannot find a middle way through their unresolved conflicts, preferring to create weapons of a complexity far beyond our understanding, in order to destroy. It is easier to destroy rather than to create, and only a small percentage of the humankind has the ability to create. Science is being used in wrong purposes, and this is leading us nowhere. At this stage, numerous dangers are threatening humankind, as a result of our careless actions towards nature.

Global warming, the thinning of the ozone layer, the high level of the dioxide carbon from the atmosphere are only a few problems which scientists are facing. Bottom line, science has permitted us to evolve, however as long as we do not reach a certain level of understanding, science can become our enemy.

What does science mean for me?

by Ana Maria Bilicciu, class X B
"Vasile Alecsandri" High School, Galati, Romania

Science extends and enriches our lives, expands our imagination and liberates us from the bonds of ignorance and superstition.

Scientific Research and discoveries have brought many changes in the way we live and think in the 20th century. Change has come about at a ferocious pace, bringing mind-boggling new power to humanity and provoking both hope and fear.

Only in this century scientific progress brought humanity face to face with the power to destroy itself entirely. Never before could nations launch massive attacks from a distance, risking the lives of no more than a handful of their own soldiers. Never before could a war between two groups or nations lead to the annihilation of the entire human race.

The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not Eureka! (I found it!) but rather, "hmm.... that's funny...." (Isaac Asimov)

The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious - the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. (Albert Einstein)

A miracle of Science!

by Andra Paun, Class X B
“Vasile Alecsandri High School, Galati, Romania

Science is the most fascinating and mysterious Dimension of the Universe, that allows us to see only what we know, but who encourages us to constantly fight with our blindness. It is born together with each fragment of life, slowly grows and finally blossoms, fed by the noble human aspiration to penetrate into the deepest mysteries of nature. Once embraced, this powerful force gives mankind immense strength and power, but also vulnerability, as it makes it understand that the harmony of Universe is a miracle ,and it takes not only facts and a good sense of reality to discover, but also passion, devotion and imagination. A whole new world will be then revealed , where “error” and “false” do not exist, but where instead of them are an open mind, an infinity of questions, and a wonderful Nature to answer all of them.

So let us believe in Science and let imagination be free, as Einstein once said “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”

What does science mean to me!

by Bianca Roxana Masgras, class X B
“Vasile Alecsandri” High School, Galati, Romania

Science is the cradle of life, it is the beginning of all things. From a molecule to the human being science is what made us what we are.

In my opinion and for me science offers a different perspective over life, it is my second pair of eyes. Even if I’m just seventeen years old science till now made me realize and understand some phenomen that I could not perceive previously. Whether it is chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, they have all enlightened me on different aspects of life. Since the early ages man has tried to understand what makes things tic. And they have succeeded and brought technology to what it is today, the technology without most of us would not be able to exist as the survival instinct has disappeared. Since my youth if I could not understand something I would simply grab a book and read about it. Since has also its negative parts: it has brought pollution, wars, chemical weapons and others but at this stage only through science we will be able to defeat these problems we are facing.

Human kind is a curious species that hasn’t been stopped even by the earth barrier, it has tried to do research in space and succeeded. Man can do anything through science.

What does science mean to me?

by Catalin Onose, class X B
“Vasile Alecsandri High School, Galati, Romania

Since humanity exists, science has helped us to survive on this planet and to create better conditions for living by discovering the fire, the wheel, the light bulb and other extremely important inventions.
We can define science by saying that it’s the knowledge of world, especially based on examining, testing and proving facts.
In my opinion, science can be divided in two main categories: the inside utilities and the outside utilities. From the “inside” point of view science improves my everyday life with some truly important devices: the cell phone, the computer, the television set, and so on. On the other side, my life is influenced by automobiles, living spaces, supermarkets, and other rather necessary than comfort-giving utilities.
So far we discussed about the positive part of what science has brought us. But there is also a negative part of science that we can’t deny; that part being the huge power of destruction used by men in war, and not only, affecting himself and the nature. For example, we can mention the XX century, the period that had happened to be the most difficult in history for mankind because of the First and the Second World War. Lots of scientists were used to create complex weapons to destroy the enemy, and, indirectly, the nature.
To conclude, up to now science has facilitated our life on earth, but we must take care that science does not get to the wrong hands, becoming a destructive weapon against man himself.

Bibliography
•http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/XIX_century_print,_Piazza_castello,_torino.jpg
•http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/illinois/images/s/illinois-chicago.jpg

What does science mean to me?

By Claudiu Ilincanu – XI B class
“Vasile Alecsandri” High School, Galati, Romania

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.” Albert Einstein

It is commonly said that it is practically impossible to make inferences from the human senses in order to describe what science actually “is”. On the other hand, science can make predictions based on observation. These prognoses are, in many cases, useful for the society or for the individual using them .

For example, the newtonian physics, and in more extreme cases, the theory of relativity, help us predict the phenomenon beginning with the effect that a poll ball in motion has on another one and ending with the trajectory of spaceships and satellites. Social sciences allow us to foresee (for the time being with limited accuracy) things like economic turbulences. They also enable us to understand better the human behaviour, to produce serviceable models for the society and, in the meantime, to approach more empirically the governmental policies.

Together, chemistry and biology have transformed our capacity to use and foretell chemical and biological reactions and scenarios. Lately, these separated scientific disciplines have been used in conjunction to produce more effective models and implements.


“We especially need imagination in science. It is not all mathematics, not all logic, but it is somewhat beauty and poetry.” Maria Montessori

The science is for me…

by Cristi Apetrei, class X B
“Vasile Alecsandri High School, Galati, Romania

Starting with antiquity and ending with the present times, the human specie has been in a continuum evolution. Although it has encountered plentiful setbacks, such as wars, major conflicts, poor choices of regimes or leaders, the progress of civilization is, indisputably, a grand one. As the development of the human mind grew, the science began to make wonders to the world. Science, as I see it, has lead us to a more organized planet, to a complex society in which people fight in order to eradicate conflicts. Unquestionably, we have not created a perfect world, as we witness hatred and disagreements everywhere we look. However, it is only a matter of time until we would become even nearer to perfection.
Science and technology are a necessity, but people tend to abuse their power by collapsing the balance that Mother Nature has created. Instead of using science to restore this balance, humanity is doing the contrary, and the effects are devastating.
The egotism of people, their God complex, the misuse of science has brought us to a stage where we need to fight in order to stay alive. The law of jungle is still functioning, and if this continues, our future is highly unforeseeable. We must learn how to use science and our power in order to reestablish the balance.

The real science!

By Daniel Batica- XI B class
“Vasile Alecsandri” High School, Galati, Romania

Judging from its origin, science (scienta in latin, meaning knowledge) is the action of discovering and comprehensing the physical world. Through esperiments scientists have been able to collect valuable information which lead to breacktrough expansions in the field of technologi. In other words, science is the most important aspect which helped us to develop and to advance in knowledge.

Science is the process that takes us from confusion to understanding in a manner that’s precise, predictive and reliable — a transformation that is empowering and emotional. To be able to think through and grasp explanations — for everything from why the sky is blue to how life formed on earth — not because they are declared dogma but rather because they reveal patterns confirmed by experiment and observation, is one of the most precious of human experiences.

Science is still widely viewed as merely a subject one studies in the classroom or an isolated body of largely esoteric knowledge that sometimes shows up in the “real” world in the form of technological or medical advances. In reality, science is a language of hope and inspiration, providing discoveries that fire the imagination and instill a sense of connection to our lives and our world.

Valuable result of scientific pursuits constantly surround us.Every single aspect of our life relies on science, either is the way we travel, get medical attention or the way we communicate with each other.

Science is….

by Daniela Fratita, class X B
"Vasile Alecsandri" High School, Romania

The new scientific instruments have radically changed the conception about Universe and the human's place in it. The scientific revelation has been produced in a dynamical society in full and advanced expansion regarding the technology.
Some people think that science has a good effect on our life, but some people have different opinions.

Along the years, famous scientists have found a lot of methods which make life easier or they can even save it. For example more lives were saved with medicines which fight against some diseases, fatal in the past. But unfortunately some discoveries have a negative effect on the nature and on mankind, for example the discovery of atomic bomb.
So, in my opinion the science represents life but also death, so we must be careful with every new invention we let enter in our life.

What does science mean for me?

by Ionica Durchi, X B class
"Vasile Alecsandri" High School, Galati, Romania

For most of us science is nothing more then a common subject because we are surrounded by the effects of development. There is a strong connection between science and technology. I think science is based on real facts while technology is applied science.

Nowadays none can live without cells phones or without PCs, especially students who are addicted to marvels of science. Could someone imagine that some day we won’t live or even breathe without those little pellets of wire? Now the earth is covered in a second coat of cables.

But leaving these aspects behind, science is associated with curiosity; desire to find out what is hiding behind a simple object or phenomenon and also finding the truth. Maybe science is a way of thinking, a method of answering the troubling questions. To think scientifically means giving real arguments when you support an idea; being prepared to accept that things can change anytime when new evidence comes to light.

Science is controlling our every day life. If science continue to progress in the same way how will be life now on: better or worse?

What is Science?

By João Araújo, 11º Zi
Escola Secundária de Loulé

I do not know for sure what science is, but science has been given to the world by many people that known by almost everybody in the world.

Science has good and bad applications. If it wasn’t for science, today there would be no computers, vehicles, mobile phones, clothing or footwear as we know them, vaccines and so on. All these things are essential in our daily life. But bad things also "appear”, as the ozone layer problems, the Ebola virus, terrorist attacks and so on. But it is known, all that is good also has, most of the time, undesirable strike backs.

But let’s see, what is science? I don’t know how to answer in concrete way, because science is studying various things of the world, such as light, sound and more phenomena that can be explained (though not by me…).

What Science means to me

By Luis Martins, 11º Zi
Escola Secundária de Loulé

Science is essential for the World’s development. For instance, in health, science contributed decisively to a large increase in life expectancy of population.

However, not everything that comes out of science is necessarily fabulous, depending largely on the use that is made of its discoveries. As an example, weapons that are developed for military purposes are a negative consequence of the evolution of science. Global warming is also a consequence of scientific and technological development of society.

If science is good or bad is clearly dependant on what people do with it.

What does science mean to me!

by Madalina Mihai, class X B
“Vasile Alecsandri High School, Galati, Romania



The whole world is a great game, involving challenge, passion and creativity. We are all players, trying to get closer and closer to the end of this endless game.

Science is just the way we can play it, is the power of humans to improve their lifes. Like a playful child, science is inquisitive, asking questions and searching answers all the time. Being also an attempt to understand the world around us, is a prove of civilization and reprezents the desire of humankind to evolve, to reach superior levels.

Don’t consider as “scientific” only imposing things or astonishing experiences such as cloning, rockets, aircrafts, satellites or powerful computers. Generally speaking, science seems to be, for most of us, something that has nothing to do with our daily life. But, everything that nowadays is commonly used, part of our life, has once been a scientific discovery, like the washing machine, fridge, phone, credit cards, nail polish, instant coffee or tea bags.

With imagination, open minds and perpetual search, remembering that sometimes things aren’t how we expect them to be, taking little but important steps, we’ll keep on playing this misterious game!

What Science means to me

By Miguel Romão, 11º Zi
Escola Secundária de Loulé

For me, science is all that man has discovered.

Science was fundamental to produce technology and improve our living conditions, but not all the things that came out of science are necessarily good. Normally, you can not say that the science is good or bad, because what is good or bad is what people make with it. There are many situations in which science is misused as in the case of weapon production.

What does Science mean?

By Nicolai Manalachi, 11º Zi
Escola Secundária de Loulé

Science is a very good and important thing in life now, because if it were not for Science there would be any computers, no phones and many other things that are already part of everyday life and are commonly used.

So, if there is no science, there would be no progress and development.

But science also has dangerous aspects. Its knowledge, when in the hands of unscrupulous people can lead to bad technology. Mankind must fight to preserve the beauty and importance of science, without letting fall into the wrong hands.

Image Credit: University of Wisconsin Digital Colections

What does science mean to me?

By Oana Caramite – XI B class
“Vasile Alecsandri” High School, Galati, Romania

Science is something that you cannot separate from the aspects of your life; it is something that mixes itself so well with life that it is very hard to just try to identify its branches. When said the word ‘science’ it connects with physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, communication or maybe daily life because today it cannot be made a step without bumping into something that relates to it.

Science for me is people walking through darkness- endless, deep darkness- with merely some lamps, trying desperately to make some light. But they have just some lamps- or flashlights- that require mineral oil, or batteries. How are they going to clarify pitch obscurity with just that?

But surprisingly they manage to enlighten a small area- a little thread of hope. This is how it- science- progresses: little by little, with great power and courage and with patience that defies the very time.

This is its mission: making Light through the Darkness!

What does science mean to me?

by Radu Morindau, X B class
„Vasile Alecsandri” High School, Galati, Romania

As we all know science is the knolodge gained during times of humankind.It is the biggest thing that happened to humanity.

In my early years I grew up at the countyside and every weekend at the national post there was a show about aliens.Since then these creatures fascinate me.I’ve seen tons of documentaries and read lots of books about them. Even though many scientists don’t recogneize their existance I know that they are somewhere ,just waiting for me.One of my earliest dreams was to get evidence of their existence in order to show the people of this planet that don’t believe ,the truth about this world and the only thing that can help me do this is science.Science is the only constant thing in my life and the knowledge gained throught the years helped me to explain many things.

The stars will always watch over me and the enigma of the aliens will always thrill me. Without science these things would be unexplainable, and distant. But with the gift of knowledge iIhope these mysteries will have an answer and my life will one day be complete.

Science is for me….

Romana Obreja – class X B
"Vasile Alecsandri" High School, Galati, Romania

The word science comes from the Latin "scientia," meaning knowledge. How can I define science in a few words? Well it can be considered an intellectual activity carried on by humans, which is designed to discover information about the natural world in which humans live. Less formally, this word often describes any field of study or the knowledge gained from it. Science also may be considered an activity that is concerned with learning how to solve problems. Its purpose is to produce useful models of reality.

Science is a vast field classified along two major lines: natural sciences and social sciences.

Science developed a lot in time. Amazing inventions and discoveries, which improved our life, were made by clever minds. Mendeleev's periodic table of elements, the discovery of iron, glass, the invention of concrete, the optical microscope are some of the most important. To investigate easily, scientists build instruments such as glasses, microscopes, telescopes and spectrophotometers. They become famous for discovering such things that change the way we think about nature, whether the discovery is a new species of dinosaur or a new way in which atoms bond. Many scientists find their greatest sense of achievement in a previously unknown fact that explains something still not explained, or that overturns some previously accepted idea.

For us, students, science is a captivating field. We have to discover a lot of secrets and we do it step by step since we are children. School has a very important role here. We are now studying hard in order to achieve success and in a few years time we shall be capable of finding mysteries that aren’t discovered yet. Why, not, a cancer treatment.

Unfortunately, another big problem appears: pollution. Despite the many organizations to protect the environment, the planet is in danger.

What Science means to me

By Ruben Silva, 11º Zi
Escola Secundária de Loulé

Science for me is the physics and chemistry. The development of science brings us good things, such as vaccines, the electricity and other things of everyday life.
However, when abused or use in a way that is not proper, science can be expected to produce many drawbacks to society.