Wednesday, March 23, 2011

2010 SPM results best in four years

Source: The Star Online

PUTRAJAYA: Results for the 2010 SPM results are the best in four years, said Education director-general Datuk Abd Ghafar Mahmud.

He attributed this to the move last year allowing students to only sit for 10 subjects.

In a press conference called to announce the examination results on Wednesday, he said 9,239 candidates obtained distinctions, which was a combination of A+, A and A-.

This was higher compared to 7,987 candidates in 2009.

Abd Ghafar said 363 candidates obtained straight super distinctions of A+ in all subjects compared to 214 in 2009.

It had been announced in 2009 that students sitting for the SPM could take two additional subjects but the results would only be based on 10 subjects.

Subsequently, subjects including Chinese Language, Chinese Literature, Tamil Language, Tamil Literature and Arabic counted in the final grade if they fell within the maximum of 10 subjects that can be taken by students in the examination.

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Explaining Fukushima Earthquake Nuclear Reactor Explosion (In Bahasa Melayu)

Source: A video uploaded @ YouTube, by Mr. Azrudi Mustapha on Mar 13, 2011

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Notes by Mr. Azrudi Mustapha:

" I understand that the information in the public media is quite overwhelming to the majority who are concerned about this issue. This is my first attempt at explaining what actually goes on at the Fukushima nuclear plant right now, based only on what's available on the public media, as we don't really know what's really happening at the site. This is also an attempt to show you the source of the explosion and the issues surrounding the decisions that was made, but an important note is - It was not a nuclear detonation.

I have left out some bits and pieces during the making of the video, one of them is that the diesel generator DID work as designed after shutdown, but it worked only for about an hour, and then it is assumed that it got knocked down by a tsunami. I am sure they will investigate the cause once they're back on their feet. Thus, they were left with batteries to pump coolant to the plant - at its most critical moment when temperature rose. This is normal during reactor shutdown, heat will build up because fission product population does not decay quickly enough because of the lack of neutron sources. (Non operating reactor = no neutrons). It is important to note that the reactor has already shutdown, and they are trying to deal with residual heat which could cause a meltdown, but nowhere Chernobyl because Chernobyl melt down while operating. For this reactor, the residual heat will cool down naturally after reaching a peak point. Unfortunately, there is a lack of cooldown options at this peak point - and that is the main concern reactor operators were looking at.

It is unfortunate that this accident had to happen. Yes, it took a an 8.9 earthquake AND a tsunami to take out a 40 year old reactor that wasn't built with today's knowledge of material response to ground acceleration. Yes, they should have retrofitted all the updated engineering and equipment. Yes they should have added passive safety. Yes they should have had extra batteries. Yes they should have done many things. Yes the reactor was supposed to retire in 2 weeks. BUT, the public doesn't care. All the public cares about is radiation exposure. The public doesn't care that the radiation released is a lot lesser than the radiation coming out of chimneys of other types of fossil fuelled generating plants, or that it is much lower than the radiation produced from the processing and production of panels for TV and photo-capture. But it is not the public's fault, it is our fault that we have failed to develop public interest in science from the school, that we have not made science interesting enough, that we have not educated them well enough. We have failed at our second chance.

We remember the nuclear industry's philosophies : An accident anywhere IS AN ACCIDENT EVERYWHERE.

Yes, we hold ourselves to standards unparalleled by any other industry. For the first time in history, we have made it a requirement by Law and Regulations to notify the government for immediate evacuations when plant coolant fails - even though there is still a major chance of taking the plant back under control. Chernobyl wasn't evacuated at all. Three Mile Island wasn't evacuated - and the public stopped trusting the authorities. Today, the public was evacuated as a precaution, yet they still do not trust the authorities. But it is not their fault. Why didn't the plant get retrofitted with technology developed from the knowledge of the past 40 years after the plant was built? It is easy for the nuclear industry to blame it on the operators, but we only have ourselves to blame. If we do not blame ourselves, then we are hypocrites.

We could have done so much, but we didn't. The public gave us a second chance at a nuclear renaissance. But we blew it. Can't blame them.

Ironically, greenhouse effect gave the energies for disasters of this scale, but this disaster killed off one of the most strongest solutions we have against greenhouse effect and climate change. How's that for Food for Thought.

This video reflects my personal thoughts, and I don't claim to speak for any industry, any company, or any authority.

Azrudi Mustapha "

Friday, March 18, 2011

[Science Form 2] Air Pressure

Since air has mass, the atmosphere pushes against all thing on Earth, including us! This "pressing down" of the atmosphere is called air pressure or atmospheric pressure.

Drinking through a straw

When you drink through a straw from an open glass of water, air pressure allow the water to travel up the straw. By sucking on the straw, you are reducing the air pressure inside your mouth.

While sucking in the straw, the air pressure in your mouth is less than the air pressure outside of the straw - in the room and in the glass. The outer air pressure pushes down on the water in the glass and this forces the water up the straw.

Can you predict what will happen if you put an airtight over the glass of water?

No matter how hard you suck, the water will not go up the straw. Why? Well, when air pressure on the water is blocked, there is no air pressure to help push the water up your straw. The air can't get to the water to push on it, so it doesn't go up the straw.



Unclogging the sink with a plunger

A plunger is made of a long stick and a bell-shaped, sturdy rubber cup on one end. The rubber cup of the plunger is set onto the draining hole of the sink to create a seal.

The plunger stick is then pushed down, inverting the rubber plunger cap and forcing the air that was in the plunger cap into the pipe.

The plunger is then pulled back, sucking air and water up with it, causing a vacuum. This abrupt force of air and water pressure helps loosen a clog in the pipes and gets the sink water draining again.

It may take several repeated motions of pushing and pulling back on the plunger to loosen the clog.

[Science Form 1] Fast facts on air pollution

  • Emissions from ocean-going ships contribute to approximately 60,000 deaths each year, mostly from heart and lung-related cancers.

  • According to the World Health Organization (WHO), if you are one of the 18 million residents of Cairo, breathing air pollution daily is like smoking 20 cigarettes a day.

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that a billion premature deaths occur annually as a result of air pollution, half of which are people living in developing countries.

  • Children breathe at a faster rate than adults, and as a result, they breathe in much more polluted air than an adult.

  • If your home or school is located near a high traffic area, you have an increased risk for lung disease, bronchitis asthma and even cancer.

[Science Form 3] Generation of Electricity


Generation of Electricity
  • Generator
    Type;
    • Thermal.
    • Hydroelectric.
    • Diesel.
    • Nuclear.
    • Gas turbine.

  • Transformer
    Type;
    • Step-up transformer.
    • Step-down transformer.

  • Transmission and distribution
    Consist of;
    • National Grid Network.
    • Switch zones.
    • Transformer stations.
    • Main substation.
    • Substation branches.

  • Electricity supply
    Type of wire;
    • Life wire.
    • Neutral wire.
    • Earth wire.
Electrical Energy Generator
  • A device that is used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.

  • Induced current - When a moving wire or electrical conductor cuts across magnetic lines of force, electric current will be produced.

  • All electrical energy generators use the same principle of generation:

    • The turbine is rotated.

    • The turbine turns the dynamo that is connected to it. The dynamo has a wire coil placed in between a magnet.

    • The wire coil cuts across the magnetic and electric current is produced.


Thermal Generator

  • Coal, petroleum or natural gas are burned in heat water in a boiler to produce steam.

  • Chemical energy --> Heat energy --> Kinetic energy --> Electrical energy


Thursday, March 17, 2011

[Mathematic Form 1] Convert 24-hour system into the 12-hour system

To convert the 24-hour system into the 12-hour system, follow the step below;
  1. If the time is between 0000 hours and 0059 hours

    You should...

    • Add 12.00

    • Add a dot between the hours and minutes

    • Write am

      Example:

      • 0035 + 12.00 = 1235. So, 0035 = 12.35am


  2. If the time is between 0100 hours and 1259 hours

    You should...

    • Remove the zero if necessary

    • Add a dot between the hours and minutes

    • Write am or pm

      Example:

      • 0530 = 5.30am

      • 1235 = 12.35pm


  3. If the time is between 1300 hours and 2400 hours

    You should...

    • Subtract 1200 from it

    • Add a dot between the hours and minutes

    • Write pm

      Example:

      • 1428 - 1200 = 228. So, 1428 = 2.28pm

      • 2358 - 1200 = 1158. So, 2358 = 11.58pm

More Examples:
  1. Convert each of the following into 24-hour system.

    • 12.36am = 0036

    • 3.45am = 0345

    • 12.50pm = 1250

    • 4.37pm = 1637

  2. Convert each of the following into 12-hour system.

    • 0048 = 12.48am

    • 0539 = 5.39am

    • 1255 = 12.55pm

    • 1729 = 5.29pm


[Science] Proposal Kajian Tindakan 2011

*********************
(Start Front Cover)

SEKOLAH MENENGAH KEBANGSAAN SERI INDAH
43300 SERI KEMBANGAN,
SELANGOR D.E.

PROPOSAL KAJIAN TINDAKAN 2011

Penyelidik:
NAZARIAH BINTI MOHD JAMANI

Tajuk Kajian:
Meningkatkan Kemahiran Murid Yang Lemah Memahami dan Mengingati Kedudukan Kelenjar Endokrin Dalam Tubuh Manusia Dengan Menggunakan Kaedah KELAWAR (KEnali meLAlui WARna)


(End Front Cover)
*********************
(Start Contents)

  1. Nama Sekolah:
    Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Indah
    Taman Seri Serdang, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor D.E.
    (Tel: 03-89434263, Fax: 03-89456695)

  2. Penyelidik:
    Nazariah binti Mohd Jamani

  3. Tajuk Kajian:
    Meningkatkan Kemahiran Murid Yang Lemah Memahami dan Mengingati Kedudukan Kelenjar Endokrin Dalam Tubuh Mmanusia Dengan Menggunakan Kaedah KELAWAR - KEnali meLAlui WARna

  4. Refleksi Pengajaran & Pembelajaran Lalu:
    Dalam sukatan pelajaran Science tingkatan 4, ‘The Endocrine System’ adalah salah satu sub topik yang seringkali disoal dalam peperiksaan. Namun, ramai pelajar yang lemah gagal menjawab dengan sempurna terutama sekali dalam melabel kelenjar endokrin.

    Apabila saya cuba memikirkan apakah kaedah yang paling sesuai untuk digunakan oleh para pelajar dalam mengatasi masalah ini, saya terbaca satu artikel dalam sebuah blog yang menyatakan bahawa pelajar-pelajar yang lemah mudah tertarik kepada sesuatu yang berwarna warni atau dalam bentuk games. Antara masalah yang sering dihadapi pelajar dalam topik ini ialah:

    • Melabel kelenjar endokrin dengan betul.

    • Menyatakan hormon yang dirembeskan oleh kelenjar tersebut.

    • Pelajar – pelajar tidak berminat untuk belajar kerana menganggap topik ini adalah sukar.

    • Pelajar-pelajar memilih untuk tidak menjawab soalan berkaitan bab ini walaupun sebenarnya pelajar-pelajar berpeluang untuk memperolehi markah yang banyak sekiranya berjaya menjawab dengan betul.

    • Pencapaian pelajar-pelajar dalam peperiksaan yang melibatkan topik kurang memuaskan.

    • Guru mengajar berpusatkan guru.

  5. Isu / Keprihatinan (Fokus Kajian):
    Mata pelajaran SCIENCE adalah satu ilmu yang banyak memerlukan pemahaman dan penghayatan berbanding kaedah menghafal untuk mempelajarinya. Walau bagaimanapun kebanyakan pelajar menganggap setiap suatu proses atau konsep itu perlu dihafal terlebih dahulu tanpa perlu memahaminya. Ini menyebabkan ramai pelajar menghadapi masalah dalam mengingati keseluruhan konsep atau proses sesuatu topik.

    Kaedah KELAWAR – Kenali meLAlui WARna adalah satu adalah satu teknik pembelajaran berpusatkan pelajar ( akses kendiri ) dimana guru memberi satu modul gambarajah suai padan berwarna tentang sistem endokrin dalam tubuh manusia.. Setelah mencuba modul tersebut secara perbincangan dalam kumpulan kecil, pelajar akan dapat lebih memahami dan seterusnya mudah untuk mengingati kedudukan system endokrin yang terdapat dalam tubuh manusia..

  6. Objektif Kajian:

    • Objektif Umum - Meningkatkan kemahiran murid memahami kedudukan kelenjar endokrin menggunakan kaedah KELAWAR.

    • Objektif Khusus - Guru menggunakan kaedah KELAWAR untuk meningkatkan pencapaian 10% dalam Kertas 2 Science.

  7. Kumpulan Sasaran:
    Kajian ini melibatkan 10 orang pelajar kelas 4SPE2.

  8. Tindakan Yang Dicadangkan:

    • Tinjauan Awal Masalah.
      Sebelum langkah-langkah kajian selanjutnya dijalankan tinjauan terhadap masalah akan dikenalpasti terlebih dahulu bagi membantu pengkaji memahami masalah yang dihadapi pelajar. Tinjauan dilakukan menerusi langkah-langkah berikut:

      • Menjalankan ujian khas melibatkan soalan berstruktur iaitu melabel sistem endokrin dalam tubuh manusia untuk mengetahui tahap pemahaman pelajar dalam topik sistem endokrin.

    • Menjalankan Kaedah KELAWAR – Kenali meLAlui WARna.

      Cara pelaksanaan:

      1. Pelajar diberi dengan set modul gambarajah suai padan berwarna tentang sistem endokrin dalam tubuh manusia.

      2. Modul tersebut terdiri daripada gambarajah system endokrin dalam tubuh manusia yang diwarnakan dengan warna yang berbeza-beza bagi setiap jenis kelenjar endokrin tersebut. Pemilihan warna juga adalah mengikut kesesuaian yang mudah diingati oleh pelajar iaitu:

        • Kelenjar Pituitary – Warna PUTIH
        • Kelenjar Thyroid – Warna HITAM
        • Kelenjar Pancreas – Warna HIJAU
        • Kelenjar Adrenal – Warna MERAH
        • Ovary - Warna MERAH JAMBU
        • Testis - Warna BIRU MUDA

      3. Pelajar meneliti gambarajah tersebut dan mengecam kedudukan setiap kelenjar endokrin berdasarkan warna.

      4. Pelajar menyelak petak-petak berwarna untuk mengetahui nama kelenjar-kelenjar endokrin tersebut.

      5. Masa yang diperuntukkan untuk Langkah c) dan d) adalah bergantung kepada tahap IQ pelajar masing-masing.

      6. Guru memberi set latihan melabel kelenjar endokrin kepada pelajar.

      7. Guru menganalisa latihan pelajar

      # Aktiviti ini akan diubahsuai jika berlaku keperluan berbuat demikian setelah membuat refleksi bagi aktiviti di atas.

  9. Bahan Yang Dicadangkan:

    • Modul KELAWAR – KEnali meLAlui WARna (The Endocrine system).

    • Set latihan melabel kelenjar endokrin.

  10. Jadual Pelaksanaan Kajian:

    • Mengenalpasti masalah berdasarkan tahap pemahaman pelajar tingkatan 4 semasa tahun 2010 terhadap topik “The endocrine system” -> January 2011

    • Menulis proposal kajian tindakan -> 7 March 2011

    • Menjalankan pengajaran dan pembelajaran tentang tajuk “The Endocrine System” -> 17 - 18 February 2011

    • Melaksanakan tindakan 1 – Tinjauan masalah ( 5.1a dan 5.1b) -> 24 – 25 February 2011

    • Menganalisa dan merekod data hasil tindakan 1 -> 8 - 9 March 2011

    • Melaksanakan tindakan 2 – Kaedah KELAWAR ( 5.2 ) -> 10 - 11 March 2011

    • Menganalisa dan merekod data hasil tindakan 2 -> 17 - 18 Mac 2011

    • Ujian untuk mengesan pencapaian murid (Peperiksaan Pertengahan Tahun) -> 17 May – 4 June 2011

    • Refleksi kajian -> 7 – 8 June 2011

    • Menulis laporan kajian tindakan -> 9 – 11 June 2011

  11. Kos Kajian:

    • Kertas A4 1 rim x RM 10.00 -> RM10.00

    • Photostat bahan edaran 10 helai x RM 0.05 -> RM00.50

    • Mencetak modul bahan edaran 10 set x RM 1.30 -> RM13.00

    • Buku Catatan Guru -> N/A

    # Jumlah Keseluruhan -> RM23.50

  12. Penutup:
    Penyelidik berharap agar kaedah KELAWAR ini akan lebih menarik minat pelajar terutamanya pelajar yang lemah untuk mememahami dan mengingati kedudukan kelenjar endokrin dalam tubuh manusia kerana kaedah ini bersifat permainan yang menyeronokkan dan akses kendiri.

(End Contents)
*********************

Thursday, March 10, 2011

[Science Form 3] Functions of the heart



  • Blood flows in a circulatory manner.

  • The heart pumps blood out through contraction and squeezing action.

    • Blood is pumped out of the lungs to the heart through the pulmonary veins (oxygenated blood).

    • Blood is pumped out to other body parts through the aorta.

    • Arteries --> capillaries [ (dissolve oxygen + digested food + minerals --> cell)
      (waste products and carbon dioxide --> blood) ] --> veins.

    • Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart (right side).

    • The deoxygenated blood is carried to the lungs to be oxygenated.

[Science Form 3] Blood vessels and their functions

There are 3 types of blood vessels.
  • Arteries
    Have a thick muscular walls to withstand high pressure.

  • Veins
    The pressure in veins is usually low. Therefore, veins are wide and have thin walls with few muscles, which allow blood to flow more easily.

  • Capillaries
    Capillaries, which have very thin walls, join veins and arteries. They transfer gases, food and excretory products between blood and body cell by diffusion through their thin walls.

[Mathematic Form 2] Stating & Plotting the coordinates of points

ALWAYS remember:
  • When stating the coordinates of a point, the x-coordinate is always written first, followed by the y-coordinate.

  • The x-coordinate of all points on the y-axis is always zero.

  • The y-coordinate of all points on x-axis is zero.
(x, y)
x =>
x-coordinate (x units from the y-axis)
y
=> y-coordinate (y units from the x-axis)


Example:

Plot the following point on the graph given.
  • P (3, 4)

  • Q (-2, 0)

  • R (4, -1)

  • S (0, 2)

  • T (-3, -3)

  • U (-1, 4)
Answers:

[Science Form 3] Natural Fuel Resources


  • Formed millions of years ago from dead organisms at the bottom of the sea.

  • Dead organism + Sedimen ---- (High temperature/Pressure) ---> Petroleum



Monday, March 07, 2011

Register your kids now!


Makluman Kepada Semua Ibu / Bapa / Penjaga (Negeri Selangor)

Applikasi permohonan Pendaftaran Murid Tahun 1 Sesi Persekolahan 2012 dan 2013 telah dibuka!

Untuk makluman, Pendaftaran Murid Tahun 1 Sesi 2012 dibuka sepanjang tahun ini, namun pendaftaran akan dikira
lewat sekiranya dibuat selepas 30 APRIL 2011.

Pendaftaran Murid Tahun 1 Sesi 2013 dibuka sehingga 30 APRIL 2011 sahaja. Terima kasih.


Pendaftaran boleh dibuat secara ONLINE. Sila layari laman di bawah;



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