Learning Centre

The agency that I formerly did contract work for, NASA, created quite a stir yesterday when it announced that a new form of bacteria had been discovered by scientist Felisa Wolfe-Simon in Mono Lake, California and that this form of life uses arsenic for processes that all previously known life forms used phosphorous for. Arsenic, which is poisonous to most forms of life, and phosphorous are two of the 92 naturally occurring elements found in the universe. It has been found that hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and a few other elements, including phosphorous, are necessary for an organism to work properly. They are needed to make the basic compounds that make us “us”–compounds like water, sugar and salt.

Scientifically, this is an interesting find, though it seems to have been sensationalized a bit in the media. For example, I have seen the headlines “Alien Life Found on Earth.” Not true! This was here on Earth the whole time—we just didn’t know it. So one point to discuss with learners is that even the science they read about is not always reported any more accurately than sports, business or the weather! In other words, consider the source! 

It’s also worth pointing out to your learner and others that this is an example of a process that scientists do all the time: “classification.” Remember a few years back when Pluto was demoted? Now, whatever we might call it, “planet” is an overstatement. In this case, “life” and its definition has been expanded a tiny bit…we found an outlier, an extreme.

I think parents of virtual learners would agree with me when I say that the coolest part of science—like so many other subjects—is that “aha” moment. That moment when you discover something new, or figure something out, or solve a tricky problem. Suddenly, you know something that you didn’t know before. It doesn’t matter how big or small it is, it’s a GREAT feeling, isn’t it?

NASA’s discovery is simply a student’s (or parent’s) “aha” moment on a grand scale. They found something, learned from it, and will take that knowledge and build on it. This is exactly what students do.

Here are some questions for you to discuss in the Comments section below:

• What have your “aha” moments been this year?
• What is the most fascinating thing that you or your kids have discovered as you have journeyed through science?
• What do you think of NASA’s discovery?
• What do you think of the coverage of it?

Having worked at NASA I know that this is exciting for many hard-working people, and they will continue to have those “aha” moments, but yours are JUST as important! Why? Because your son or daughter’s learning discovery may someday lead to their making the NEXT big discovery for NASA!

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