#kyroseloves

I’m thinking of including genetically engineered seeds into the plot of my next novel in the KyRose middle grade series. STEM/STEAM. Yes! Want to prepare kids for their future.

Here’s one way of explaining it. Genetic engineering is when scientists change the DNA of living things like plants or animals to make them different in some way. Just like how you can change the way a Lego toy looks by taking some parts away and adding some new ones, scientists can change the way a living thing looks and acts by changing its DNA. This can be done to help make things better, like making crops grow faster or making animals healthier, but it's also important to make sure we are careful and think about the consequences of changing living things.

What questions might a child come up with after reading this? What is DNA? What else?

Habits and Subconscious Memory...how our brains use patterns and habits that may or may not be serving us...

Memories are fascinating, intricate parts of the human mind (and of minds of animals too). They allow us to recall past experiences, emotions, and knowledge, and help us navigate the present and plan for the future. But how do memories form, and why do some of our actions become subconscious habits?

When we first learn a new skill or perform a new task, it requires a lot of attention and focus. We consciously think about each step and consciously execute it. But as we repeat the task over and over again, it becomes easier and easier, and we begin to do it almost automatically. This is because our brains are wired to conserve energy by developing efficient neural pathways for common actions.

These efficient neural pathways, also known as procedural memory, are stored in a different part of our brain from conscious memory, known as declarative memory. Procedural memory is responsible for the subconscious execution of routine tasks, like brushing our teeth or driving a car. It allows us to perform these actions without conscious thought, freeing up our attention for other tasks.

The patterns we develop through repetition become ingrained in our brains, creating what is known as muscle memory. This type of memory is especially prevalent in activities that require physical movement, such as playing a musical instrument or playing sports. Muscle memory allows us to perform these activities with greater ease and accuracy, even without conscious thought.

However, the downside to muscle memory is that it can also lead to bad habits. If we repeatedly perform a task incorrectly, our brain will develop a neural pathway for that incorrect action. This can be difficult to undo and can lead to a long-term bad habit.

So, how do we stay conscious? By staying present and understanding the way our brains store memories and create patterns, we can consciously work to develop good habits and avoid bad ones. What habit (that does or doesn't serve you) will you notice in the next ten minutes or ten days?

Interconnected All

We are all connected in obvious and mysterious ways. Examples abound. Think of naturals resources we gather from ecosystems across the world to manufacture into products that we then sell to one another. And, the fungi networks wound together beneath the soil working in partnership with trees in the forest. Or, the downpour of clouds in the Amazon Rainforest that drains nutrients into the Pacific Ocean causing ginormous blooms of phytoplankton and, therein, a rich supply of food for fish. Ecosystems alive competing for balance and survival. Our threads are intertwined.