FDA Campaign Aims to Educate US Public on Biotechnology and Food

Steven A. Field, MD, is a respected Tampa, Florida, educator who teaches a wide range of science-related subjects with the School District of Hillsborough County. Among the advanced courses that Steven A. Field, MD, has taught Florida students are those centering on earth and space science, as well as biotechnology. 

A current U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiative is focused on providing consumers with basic education on the safety of food products and animal feed that utilize biotechnology in their makeup and production. 

A focus is on clearing up “misinformation and half-truths,” with more than half of Americans surveyed believing that, in general, genetically modified (GM) foods are unsafe for consumption. In tandem with this, approximately 80 percent of American adults are in support of mandatory labels for GMOs and on foods that contain DNA. 

The global scientific consensus is increasingly one that believes that the safety of genetically engineered (GE) crops is similar to that of non-genetically engineered crops. For this reason, the FDA plans to present the best available evidence within the context of science-based educational documents that shed light on the positive environmental, nutritional, economic, and humanitarian aspects of agricultural biotechnology.

Proper Chair Setup for Optimal Ergonomics

Steven A. Field, MD, is a respected Tampa, Florida, high school teacher who has taught a variety of science subjects within the School District of Hillsborough County. In addition to his role as a Florida educator, Steven A. Field, MD, has a background in human ergonomic research that led to a number of national presentations and corporate ergonomic committee appointments.

Within an office environment, static postures and sitting for prolonged periods of time is associated with weight issues, circulatory and cardiovascular conditions, and low back disorders. Repetitive motion and awkward positions can also result in musculoskeletal conditions such as epicondylitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

A Cornell University study brought focus to task seating and the major issue of standard desktops being designed to accommodate the elbow height of people who are 6’4” tall. With individuals often struggling to comfortably reach computer setups, a number of health risks arise related to sitting high in the chair and shrugging the shoulders.

Properly adjusting one's task chair involves keeping the backrest unlocked and tensioned in such a way that flexible movement is accommodated. In addition, the seat pan should be set up to allow two inches or more of clearance between the back of the knees and the edge of the seat. The arm rest should be set up no higher than elbow height when seated.

Another concern is that the ideal position of the keyboard is not on the desktop, but on the lap, in the same position as a laptop would be held. In cases where the keyboard is on the desktop, it should be positioned as close to the body as possible, with an articulating keyboard support used to provide the proper angle.

The Soil-Less Hydroponics Gardening System

Based in Tampa, Florida, Steven A. Field, MD, is a retired physician with a background as an educator with the School District of Hillsborough County. Over the past decade, he has taught Florida students a wide range of science subjects such as AP biology, health sciences, and earth and space science. In his biotechnology course, Steven A. Field, MD, has taught subjects ranging from plant DNA extraction to hydroponics.

Defined by soil-less gardening, hydroponics involves employing mineral-rich water solutions and other nutrients in place of a conventional soil medium. Many plants thrive with their roots in water and can grow as much as 50 percent faster in this manner. As the water within hydroponic systems is conserved and reused, there is less need for a fresh water supply. At the same time, the indoor nature of most hydroponic systems means that vegetables, herbs, and fruits can be harvested year round.

A key to success with a hydroponic system involves selecting plant varieties such as strawberries, leafy greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers that welcome moisture and have limited size potential. Another important element is selecting the proper nutrient mix. The primary nutrients of potassium, nitrogen, and magnesium are diluted in filtered water that is then given to the plants. Common secondary nutrients are also added and typically include manganese, iron, copper, zinc, boron, and molybdenum.

The Non-Scientific Benefits of Taking Part in Science Fairs

Previously a medical consultant in Tampa, Florida, Steven A. Field, MD, has served in various professional medical organizations including the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Currently a science teacher based in Tampa, Florida, Steven A. Field, MD, is the chief judge of biological sciences at the annual Hillsborough County Science Fair. 

There are a number of benefits to participating in science fairs. Surprisingly, many of them are not science-related.

In 2012, Synopsys Outreach Foundation, an organization that has supported over a million individual science projects in 600 schools across California, hired educational research firm WestEd to conduct a survey on the impact science projects had on individual students. More than 1,600 students took part in the study. What researchers found was interesting. 

While students reported that taking part in the study helped them improve their scientific investigation and analysis skills, many reported a substantial improvement in other skills such as communication, collaboration, and project management. In fact, based on a four point rating scale, they reported significant improvements in these skills, frequently moving from low and very low ratings to good and very good. 

If that wasn’t enough, top performers in high school science fairs stand a better chance of getting admitted into top colleges. A 2005 Intel Science Talent Search (now known as the Regeneron Science Talent Search) found that the top high school competitions created a differentiation in college applications. For example, finalists of the Intel Talent Search competition typically went on to attend institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, MIT, Stanford, Cornell, Yale, Duke, and Columbia.

Ways to Keep Students Engaged in the Classroom

A graduate of the University of South Florida and Hahnemann Medical College, Steven A. Field, MD, serves as a teacher for the School District of Hillsborough County in Tampa, Florida. Steven A. Field, MD, has held this position for several years and teaches high school students about such subjects as biology, health sciences, and space science.

All teachers are tasked with keeping their students engaged in their lessons and in learning. Below are a few ways to promote student engagement in the classroom:

Connect it to real life: illustrating how lesson materials connect to real life are a great way of showing students why the material is important. It can easily be done by using specific examples from everyday life or by linking their lessons to regular routines, such as calculating tax or washing the hands. Further, teachers who use culturally relevant materials help students stay engaged and interested in school-based learning.

Use assessments to adjust teaching: at the beginning of each year, teachers can have each student complete an assessment to figure out where their current knowledge is. Over the course of the school year, these assessments can be regularly used to see where students may still be struggling and where teaching approaches may need to be changed. Assessments are also a great tool for holding students accountable for their education and can serve as a motivator.

Give students a choice: by allowing students to choose how they learn, teachers help them feel more involved and engaged in the classroom. These choices can revolve around how students learn as opposed to what they learn. Students should be able to provide feedback about the pace of the classroom in accordance with how comfortable they feel and choose how they prefer to work on classroom projects.

A Few Tips for Selecting AP Courses

Steven A. Field, MD graduated from Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also holds a master of science in public health from the University of South Florida. For nearly a decade, Steven A. Field, MD has served the School District of Hillsborough County in Tampa, Florida, as a teacher of earth science, AP biology, and other science courses.

The Advanced Placement (AP) program was established by The College Board to help prepare students in the United States and Canada for higher learning opportunities. AP classes can serve as an effective link between high school and college, but can also overwhelm individuals who may take on a workload greater than they are capable of managing.

There are a few things to consider when selecting AP courses. Perhaps most obviously, students should only pursue AP learning for subjects in which they have typically excelled. A student who generally receives straight As but is a C student in English should not take AP English simply to impress prospective colleges, as the coursework can prove too challenging and may even negatively impact their other studies. A student’s schedule both in and out of school should also be closely analyzed when selecting AP courses. These classes require extensive reading, writing, and studying, and can become overly burdensome for individuals already engaged in numerous school clubs and athletics.

Finally, parents and students who believe they possess the skills and time to manage multiple AP courses must decide exactly how many classes are right for them. Throughout North America, there are more than 30 unique AP classes. Though there is no official recommendation for the number of AP courses a student should take each semester, four or even three courses might be too many; some high schools have even imposed their own limits in this regard. For more information on AP classes, students and their families should discuss the subject with trusted teachers and guidance counselors.

What is Pickleball?

Steven A. Field MD, science teacher for the School District of Hillsborough County, Florida, donates much of his time to helping his students and participating in various local events and charities. When granted some spare time, Steven A. Field MD, enjoys playing pickleball, a lesser-known but accessible and fun game for players of all ages.

With humble beginnings dating back to 1965, pickleball was created as a game that the whole family could play together. Combining badminton, tennis and Ping-Pong, it can be played both on indoor and outdoor courts, it uses a short net and a paddle, along with a plastic ball. Played as doubles or singles, pickleball now holds tournaments nationwide, and places to play have doubled since 2010.

The sport is played on a court roughly the size of those used for badminton, and played similarly to tennis, though serves are only allowed to be made underhanded and only the currently serving team can score. The game is played until 11 points, with games lasting less than 25 minutes in most cases. Since it is a smaller court than those used in tennis, and there is less chance of injury with such a small ball, children can also participate in the sport.