Features

New Neuroscience Club brings brain science to students

By: Renna Abozir

Editor

November 15, 2020

This year, Sandburg is welcoming a new Neuroscience Club called IYNA to its official club roster. IYNA stands for International Youth Neuroscience Association, and is just one chapter in an organization that has hundreds across the globe. From neuropsychology to neurochemistry, from the way we sleep to the way we learn, the goal of IYNA is to help the average student learn about the very organ that keeps us going: the brain.

IYNA’s format is something that is unique to the club and is something common across Sandburg clubs. The club meets bi-monthly for an hour each time on Monday. The first Monday meeting of the month, IYNA welcomes student lectures and guest lecturers alike, and the club anticipates having many lecturers with experience in fields relating to neuroscience speak. Exec board member Elise Dobrzynski says, “These ‘lectures’ may also inspire people to expand their options for college which is incredibly important as high schoolers look to life a few years from now.” On the 2nd Monday meeting of the month, members can expect an activity-based meeting that aims to interact with each member and help members retain what they have learned. IYNA president Armin Pazooki says, “The second meeting of the month can range from kahoots to group discussions, but the possibilities are endless.” A major perk of the club is that it’s executive board has made it very clear that they're always open to member opinions, recommendation, and feedback, and lessons and activities will be based on member recommendations and polls, among other things.

IYNA offers a unique perspective to the average student, whether they aim to go into the medical field or not. Brain functionality of something that affects us everyday, and the benefits of knowing about it are endless whether or not you want to pursue a medical career or not. In fact, IYNA has found that most of its members actually do not want to go into the medical field or become doctors. Ally Boertlein, exec member, says, “IYNA is a great opportunity even for students who aren’t planning on entering the medical field because knowing how our brains function is an asset in any career. For example, knowing psychological cues and triggers can be vital for a career in law enforcement to understand and identify criminals in order to catch them.” And because it is a knowledge-based club meant for sharing ideas that the group finds interesting, there is no competitive aspect to IYNA, unlike many other academic clubs whose main subject may be similar to IYNA. As of now, IYNA meets on the second and fourth Monday of every month from 4 to 5, and is always welcoming new members.

So whether you want to be a neurologist, think neuroscience is interesting, or just find yourself with some extra time, consider joining IYNA. As Elise Dobrzynski puts it, “I think the most exciting parts of the club all revolve around it’s authenticity...Students can get out of the club whatever they want. The atmosphere of the club is incredibly open and comfortable, which I’ve never seen quite the same in another club.”

E-Learning Survival Guide for 2020-2021 school year

By: Mikey Tortorici

Editor

November 18, 2020

E-learning is new, stressful, and difficult for students and teachers alike. You may be looking for ways to change your routine to make life easier well look no further than these tips to survive e-learning!

Sitting down for school all day is painful, unhealthy, and boring; however, an easy way to fix this issue is to get a stand-up desk. With a simple push of a button, you are able to convert your normal desk to a height where you can stand and comfortably work. One major benefit of a standing desk is that you burn more calories standing rather than sitting. All the time spent at school can be used to lose weight and become more fit. Furthermore, a standing desk increases productivity and boosts energy levels. Having more energy and getting more work done, in a less amount of time is perfect to reduce stress and do more things you like to do.

Staring at your computer all day causes severe eye strain, painful headaches, and unbearable migraines. Blue light glasses nullify these unwanted effects of the computer and even phones. The reduced eye strain increases productivity and causes you to feel less tired. Moreover, it is known that going on your phone before bed can negatively affect your sleeping patterns. Blue light lenses can lessen these effects of your phone or computer at night, allowing you to fall asleep quicker, get more sleep, and increase your energy levels, making you a more productive student.

Going on a walk outside is a great way to get out of the house, clear your mind, and take a healthy break away from the computer. Going on walks outside increases cardiovascular fitness, strengthens bones, and gains more muscle mass and endurance. Furthermore, getting fresh air increases your immune system and blood pressure, allowing you to live a healthier lifestyle. You can even go on walks with friends, relatives, and pets to pass the time in a fun, healthy manner!

Headaches and migraines are a common occurrence from staring at your computer or going on your phone for several hours. To prevent this, drink as much water as you can. Try to aim for about 13 cups per day which is 2 cups an hour. If drinking water is too plain and boring for you, put a lemon slice or water flavor packets to spice up your new habit. Another great tip to prevent headache is the 20-20-20 test. The idea is to stare at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This test is a great way to relieve eye strain since it gives your eyes a break from staring at the screen. Furthermore, this test is short, so it won’t take up much of your working time.

To make e-learning easier, try a couple of these tips! These times are new and stressful for all of us so every little bit that makes it easier should be considered. The tips that I have presented will improve your mental and physical capabilities whilst reducing the harmful and negative effects of e-learning.

To the Moon! GME and AMC Stocks Soar!

By: Mikey Tortorici

Editor

February 28, 2021

One of the hottest topics on social media right now is the Game Stop and AMC stock controversy. For a person who has zero knowledge in the world of stock trading, all this talk may seem very foriegn and confusing. If this is you, this article is perfect since I will simplify what is going on!

Video game retailer GameStop and cinema chain AMC have lost a significant amount of revenue due to the pandemic causing their stock to plummet. When this happened, experienced stock traders were able to profit off the decline of the stock because of a strategy called short-selling. In essence, this is when investors sell a stock when it is high, and bet money on it to fall. Due to the high risk in this action, traders buy hundreds of stocks in order to reduce their losses. Online forums such as Reddit noticed this trend and realized that if they buy up GameStop and AMC stocks, they can short squeeze (a rapid increase of price) the stock and cause the short-sellers to lose millions of dollars; however, if the Redditors want to keep the stock rising and continue causing short-sellers to lose money, it is important for them to hold the line, and not sell the stock. Financial data company S3 Partners had estimated that hedge fund short-sellers had lost over $23 billion dollars in GameStop/ AMC stock in January.

Brokerage app Robinhood became extremely popular during the short-squeeze due to its small-investor approach through a simplicity in buying and selling stocks. This app was held in high regard until they shut down the ability to buy GameStop and AMC stock so they could prevent large hedge fund investors from losing more money. This action enraged hundreds short-squeeze investors, and they banded together to boycott the app since Robinhood was marketed to help new investors and not the large hedge funds. This ordeal is quite ironic since the name Robinhood refers to the fictional character who stole from the rich to give to the poor when in actuality, this app stopped the poor to help the rich.

What goes up must always come down, and unfortunately due to the unsustainability in short-squeezing, GameStop and AMC stock will inevitably drop in value. In the end, short-squeezers won the battle since they were able to get revenge on the large hedge funds and make them lose billions of dollars. This action shows how the power of small investors, brothership, and trust can allow them to take on the powerful, greedy hedge funds.

CLEP Tests: Better than AP?

By: Renna Abozir

Editor

March 10, 2021

There is a bit of mystery surrounding CLEP tests. It is a test that, like an AP test, is administered through the College Board, will get you college credit, and save you time and money. However, the big mystery aspect of it is that hardly anyone knows what it is. Colleges won’t encourage students to take it because then they won’t make as much money off student tuition, and many high schools won’t present it as an option due to lack of awareness of it, among other things. However, it exists as a test that has potential to save students time and money, despite lack of knowledge of its existence amongst students in both high school and college.

A CLEP (College Level Examination Program) test essentially goes like this: Students can sign up for a test online and take it at a testing facility, usually a local college or university. (More specific information regarding testing facilities can be found on the college board website.) It takes about 90-120 minutes to complete the test, and these tests are offered year round, and are scored based on the percentage of questions answered correctly. Most colleges and universities accept CLEP credit, and in most cases, a passing score many colleges and universities will accept is anywhere between 50% to 65%. There are 34 different subjects in which students can choose to take a test on, and 6 subject areas in which tests are available in: Composition and Literature, World Languages, History and Social Sciences, Science, Mathematics, and Business.

Despite the seemingly flawless structure of CLEP exams, there is one major drawback: you are expected to study for it independently. With AP tests, there is usually a class that you start in the fall in order to be ready for the test in May. But with CLEP, the goal is to prove that you already know everything that could be taught in a college equivalent course, so you are expected to have this knowledge before walking in. Many people study on their own and pass, and many other people take CLEP exams if they fail an AP exam, or don't feel ready for the AP exam in May and decide to take it at a later date through CLEP. In addition to the independent study aspect of CLEP exams, most colleges and universities don't accept CLEP credit for classes that are required for a student’s major or minor. While CLEP exams can be easier, cheaper, and more accessible to the average student than AP tests, AP can usually be accepted for credit in a class needed for a student's major or minor. However, by passing exams through CLEP, you can make more time and room for classes that are needed for your major and that will help you advance in your career, rather than having to waste time and money on classes that you don't need, and many colleges will even accept up to 30 credits done through CLEP. These exams can help you advance faster on your college path, graduate sooner, and save on tuition for classes that are required at your university or college, but aren't needed for your major.

A CLEP test is a great alternative to AP, and can even be a great option to gain college credit in classes that don’t have AP tests. It’s not a means in which to speed straight to a degree or diploma with little work, nor is it a perfect stand-in for AP, but it is a program that can help students avoid classes not needed for their major, spend less money on college, and utilize the time they have. The College Board website has a plethora of information on CLEP tests, and is a worthwhile program to consider for anyone looking to save money on college and spend more time on their long-term career goals.

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