Friday, April 19, 2013

Things You Should Consider While Buying A Spill Containment Berm

By Patty Summers


If one is dealing with liquid or foam chemicals, the chance of a spillage occurring is always high thus the need to make plans to contain it. This is important not just in prevention of losses but also to preempt chances of such chemicals reaching the ground and water bodies where they can be harmful. There are different ways that can be applied to help contain spillage but using a spill containment berm is one of the best options.

Even with the good reputation of the containment berm, one should be careful when buying one in the market. To get good results, it is important to match the container chosen to the purpose it is going to be used for. Remember, these containers will not just serve in containing the chemicals but can also be used to transport the collected chemicals. Knowing the specific use will help you select the correct container to match that purpose.

The containers are available in different sizes and designs. Again, you have to consider the use in order to pick the right design or size. If you plan to move the containers once they are filled with chemicals, you should be very careful about these two aspects. Otherwise, you might be unable to load the containers into the transport means you will be using.

The material used to make the container must also be investigated. This is because some of the components might react with the chemicals that will be transported in that container. You should therefore pick a container with components that will not be affected.

To make the final decision, check whether any regulations regarding the use of a certain material exist in your area. This is important even if one knows all about the containers used to contain spillage. This is because such regulations are meant to prevent environmental degradation and any violations are met with stiff penalties.

Since there are different manufacturers dealing in these containers, the prices also differ. Prices also differ according to the kind of material used in making the container. An interesting thing to note is that most of the containers can be used for more than one instance. Therefore, in case you might want to reuse the container again, it is best to go for the best.

Just like other purchases, it is good to have a budget before you do to the market. This can help you stay within your spending limits even when interested in the best quality containers. Your budget can be based on different issues including the value of the chemicals you need to contain.

With all the highlighted information when going to purchase a spill containment berm, it is possible to make a great choice. With such a container, it will be possible to prevent harmful chemicals from reaching unintended areas such as water sources. It will also be easier to transport them from place to place. Remember, people also lose a lot of money through spillage thus having proper containment methods in place will help prevent such loses.




About the Author:



Thursday, April 18, 2013

Study Skills - Understanding Why You Procrastinate

By Lachlan Haynes


What do the following words mean to you: "I'll do it tomorrow"? If you are a procrastinator they will mean a great deal. If you are not they may mean nothing. So which are you? Are you the type of person that allows due dates to creep up and tap you on the shoulder? Or do you get your work done nice and early to eliminate all worry and panic? (Congratulations if you do!)

The fascinating and somewhat disturbing news is that when it comes to procrastinating you are not alone. One of the biggest reasons people do not achieve their goals (and then feel unhappy about it) is because they are chronic procrastinators. It has been reported that 94% of people are putting something off and it is making them feel unhappy - that's right 94%! If you're a procrastinator you are truly not alone. In fact, you're totally normal! However the good news ends there. Students that procrastinate are more likely to achieve lower subject grades, lower exam scores and lower overall grades. Worse still, procrastination is strongly linked to poor health and less money. That's right, procrastinators have less money. Amazing isn't it? But we're not trying to make you feel bad because you might be poor and unhealthy. We're just trying to help you early in your life by making you aware of it now.

Do You See The Problem?

Tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes and you just keep thinking, "Well maybe tomorrow I will do the work!" One day makes no difference anyway does it? Each day you face the same dilemma and each day you make a decision that tomorrow is the best option.

We're not here to tell you that these excuses are necessarily complete untruths but if these phrases are familiar to you then you might just be a serial procrastinator. You probably tend to spend a lot of time convincing yourself of these lies and ultimately you will most likely believe them to be totally true. The major problem with this approach is that it will ultimately bring no long-term satisfaction to you at all. In the short term you are off the hook but the list of tasks you need to complete gets very long and you start feeling very unhappy. Sound familiar? If you do tell yourself these things, stop it immediately! You are just lying to yourself. Stop the lies and accept the truth. Find the real reason for your procrastination.

Get Out Of Your Own Way

First of all, don't beat yourself up, you're human after all. We're flawed. That's life. If we weren't you wouldn't be reading this. Everything will be OK! We promise. In fact, most people are just like you - so you are actually 'normal' (if there is such a thing). So please drop any guilt you may feel about it right now because it really won't help you - it will only make you feel sorry for yourself. And feeling sorry for yourself is not the way to deal with procrastination.

When you next notice that you are procrastinating ask yourself the following questions: 1. Am I bored, or do I really want some drama and excitement in my life? 2. If so, what can I do about it? Can I do something differently to create excitement? 3. What about procrastination is desirable to me? 4. Is there any way I can create the same desirable outcome without procrastinating? The more you challenge yourself the sooner you will be able to overcome procrastination get to work!




About the Author:



Wednesday, April 17, 2013

State Policy and College-Level Courses in High School


In the past couple decades, the number of high school students participating in college-level courses has increased drastically. A new NCES studyestimates this number to be 2.0 million students in 2010-2011, an increase from 1.2 million students in 2003-2004 (an increase of 66.6%). The same study estimates that 82% of high schools have students participating in college-level courses, often referred to as dual credit, dual enrollment, or concurrent enrollment (I use the term dual credit for consistency).

The proliferation of dual credit translates into more students participating in college and earning college credits before they graduate high school. As dual credit offerings have expanded, questions have been raised related to dual credit quality, the extent to which a larger pool of students is adequately prepared for college courses in high school, and the extent to which dual credit courses are of college rigor. In many instances, high school faculty members, who often serve as adjunct college faculty, teach dual credit courses on high school campuses. There is a lot to unpack with dual credit, but I want to focus on the relationship between dual credit and state policy.

With colleagues from Indiana University and Lake Land College, I just completed a review of dual credit state policies commissioned by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Our purpose was to examine state policies in all 50 states and better understand the relationship between state policy and quality. The report, which is publically available on the HLC website, is being digested and considered by the HLC for future action.

One issue surfaced by our study is the tension between �quality� and �access,� both of which state policies address in various ways across states. Although the purpose of our study was not to examine this tension, our descriptive results lend themselves well to future analysis of this tension. For example, we found that nine states have state policies that either require or encourage dual credit programs to adhere to the quality standards of the voluntary accreditation organization, the National Association for Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP). Several other states have quality-related policies such as Illinois (Illinois� policy is the �Dual Credit Quality Act�) or Indianaand Tennessee (Chapter 15, Section 49-15-101), whose policies have many state-level provisions focused on quality standards. So there is very clearly a sector of state policies whose purpose is focused on quality.

At the other end of the spectrum are policies that emphasize access to college courses in high schools. We found that the preponderance of state policies had established policies about which students are eligible to participate in dual credit. These policies often restricted access based on limiting dual credit participation to students in certain grade levels, students with adequate standardized test scores, or students with appropriate course-prerequisites. However, nearly half of the state policies have eligibility waivers (e.g., Kentuckyand Missouri) where student certain eligibility requirements can be waived for students as determined by the college faculty or Chief Academic Officer, for example. In some states where students are required to pay tuition, however, state policies provide financial assistance to low-income students (e.g., Connecticutand Indiana). So state policies appear to have different approaches to dual credit access, restricting access for some students based on academic ability and ability to pay, while also providing flexibility in some cases.

The is accumulating evidence about the impact of dual credit (for example, see here, here, and here), suggesting that dual credit participation is related to desirable outcomes such as college enrollment, college persistence, and to a lesser extent, college completion. One missing strand of research, however, is the extent to which state policies related to quality and access influence both which students participate and the outcomes of these students. Although we have observed state dual credit policies expand in the last decade (compared to a 2005 study), including an increased emphasis on promoting quality, there is little evidence about the extent to which specific state policies contribute to student success, increase college access, or even improve student learning. It is this area that is desperately needed for future research to inform our public policies so they work in the best interest of students. 

Want Success With Your Homeschooling... Keep Reading!

By Raymond Lewis


Deciding to teach your kid at home is a call that may appear like it is easy. That is far from the truth. In fact , it is way more hard to teach a kid yourself than to have them enroll in a standard school setting. Here are a few tips which will make the method a lot easier for you.

You must keep in mind that following a regular college curriculum may not be the best way to teach your kid. As an example, going to the market and learning about budgeting can be just as helpful as purchasing a huge math book and having them work on issues in there.

Understand the laws governing homeschooling in your state. Every state allows homeschooling, but there are some complexities out there that you may not realize. To ensure you are following all legal aspects, check in with your local govt.. You may desire any forms done before starting your schooling.

Your child's progress is their own and should not be weighed against others. It's not difficult to fall into the mistake of comparing the education levels of your child vs another, yet when talking about homeschooling, it is like comparing apples and oranges. Each homeschooled kid is going to learn at their own rate, which means that their successes will be individual and constant.

How well do you understand your kids learning style? Infrequently it is simple to forget that all kids do not learn the same way. What might have worked for you will not be the finest approach for your home schooled child. Research different learning styles and apply them to the selected curriculum for the very best results.

Now that you are fitted out with some superb tips about homeschooling, you are now on the way to being a great teacher. Do not worry if some of your subjects are a little rusty. The better part about homeschooling is teaching something to your youngsters while you learn new things during the procedure.




About the Author:



Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The benefits of California State Polytechnic University Pomona

By Andrew Anderson


California State Polytechnic University Pomona is found in the heart of Los Angeles. In the vicinity of it you will discover sizeable parks, beaches, shopping areas, tourist spots and most especially, the nicest and finest fresh air you can actually breathe. There has an array of well-esteemed programs in the university like entrepreneurship, architecture and engineering, which is pretty much the very best that you could get in all Cal State universities.

It can be tough get bored here. There is certainly a lot of things to do here! School occasions for instance, plays and intercollegiate sporting events will get your juices and voices flowing. You may sign up for one of their three hundred and more clubs and organizations but in the case you can't select one which particularly befits you, why don't you consider creating your own one? It is actually considerably more pleasurable interacting with people that share similar hobbies with you which in fact, is really worthy of all the time and effort you have used to establish your club. Apart from the numerous things that can be done with your clubs and co-members, the campus is likewise an excellent spot to relax and hang out. On the list of students' favorite hangout is the Marketplace. Well, why? The food, obviously! There's enough food there that you can try that is certainly best to go together with telling jokes and revealing secrets with your pals.

The Things I discovered when I studied there was you need a road map of the school with you for at least during the initial month of your stay there. Cal Poly Pomona is the second greatest California State campus. Just in case you're in a big hurry to get to class, you certainly would prefer not to get lost in it. On the other hand, becoming lost in this stunning campus may perhaps draw attention away from you from time to time. Merely the architecturally sound structures that towers above will certainly awe you, together with the large area of green grass basking in the sunshine. Considering it is in the eastern section of Los Angeles, it is unquestionably a breath of fresh air.

One more thing that stood out for me is not just their school pride (Go Billy Bronco!), there is also dorm pride. They even have dorm shirts and mascots! The people in my residence hall instantly welcomed me the minute I stepped in there, introduced me to my roommate and gave me some tips about the school. That is how I came to learn about their Upward Bound and EOP programs which will really help you familiarize yourself with senior students in your program as well as allow you to apply for some grant money every year.

I hold so many memories here and would gladly share them all to you but I strongly advise you to just head on there and see for yourself! It's truly not hard to fall in love with the place.




About the Author:



Monday, April 15, 2013

The Most Strange News Articles

By Camille Nicholson


There are very strange news articles all around the world. Anyone can pick up a tabloid reader and see that the whole globe is filled with very bizarre cases. Many of these stories are true but some are merely fairy tales.

In a very far away land there is a baby who enjoys having a smoke once in a blue moon. This little tyke will use all of his allowance in order to purchase cigarettes. His parents have no problem with him doing this since they are always around when he lights up.

Sometimes he will have several packs of these cancer sticks during a twenty four hour period. He is also very greedy and can eat enough food for ten people during a day. This baby will no doubt have lung problems as well as heart issues at a very early age.

Individuals who love a good scare will want to go looking for the gigantic squid near Coney Island. This story may or may not be true but people are still believing it anyway. They have now become very terrified to swim so far into the ocean.

A religious family in Georgia are trying their best to hold onto their faith. Unfortunately they have the bad luck to be living in a very haunted house. The ghosts are three men who appear to have lived during the Civil War. They display very human emotions even though their time in life is finished. These men also appear in solid form and the press was very astonished by this event.

What makes this haunting so unique is that the spirits also have the ability to hide items that the residents own. The lady in the house stated that one of the ghosts took her car keys and hid them in the backyard. The keys were located several days later.

One other very frightening story came out of Canada. Years ago there was a very sick man who took an axe and butchered his entire family. The crazy male had come home one night to find his wife having sex with her father while his mother-in-law watched. Reporters state that he was arrested and hung for his crime. The people who lived in his section did not want him buried on their land since he vowed revenge on every living human being before he was hung.

This is one of the most strange news articles since many people have stated that his evil spirit still walks the land at night. This particular haunting has become so bad that authorities do not allow anyone to camp on the land that is near his grave. The media has since shown warnings signs that are placed in certain areas of the woods. At night some campers informed others that they could hear demonic screams and an axe chopping up various items. People have been also known to disappear when they enter this certain area of the woods and officials have also found many animals with their heads chopped off.




About the Author:



Sunday, April 14, 2013

Transitions: Dealing With Seasons of Change

Last month our superintendent retired. The timing of his announcement caught many within our organization by surprise. Expressions of congratulations on a great career and excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead for him poured into the district office. And then? Then came the realization that things were about to change.  A period of transition has been thrust upon us.

Transitions can be both interesting and challenging. There is a subtle but important difference between change and transition. Change is situational; it can be an event: something that happens. Transitions are  psychological. A transition evolves out of how one feels about and reacts to a change. It's not the just the event alone that causes the transition; it's the inner-reorientation and meaning-redefinitions people make as they incorporate those changes into their lives.  Paradoxically education is a field where change and transition seem almost constant. Having effective strategies to deal with transitions is a valuable 21st century skill.

Colorado State University authors S. Quick, R.J. Fetsch and M. Rupured offer many strategies for coping with transitions. One strategy that resonates with me is taking a seasons approach to transitions, likening different types of response to fall, winter and spring. Fall transitions break old patterns. They involve saying farewell to familiar people, places and routines. Transitions that evoke winter bring feelings of emptiness, numbness, and confusion. Such transitions occurs when people haven't yet connected to new situations and aren't yet completely disconnected from the past. Springlike transitions require the letting go of the old relationships, situations or events and starting anew. Just as spring leaves bud and flowers bloom, in a spring transition, people find new energy to make a new beginning. (For a more in depth look at this analogy see William Bridges book Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes)

Research suggests resilient people handle transitions better. Building resilience involves maintaining an optimistic outlook, taking steps to positively influence the things one can control and having the wisdom and confidence not to worry or fixate on the things over which one has no control. Developing a good network of friends both at work and away from the office always helps one navigate the choppy periods of uncertainty that accompany transitions. One should also look after their health and well being by getting enough sleep and exercise. 

Its important to remember that transitions. no matter how challenging, don't last forever. Just like the seasons, transitions do pass. To paraphrase Shakespeare's Richard III there may be no guarantees that our winters of discontent will be made glorious summer, but through awareness and positive response our stern alarums may be changed to merry meetings and our dreadful marches to delightful measures. Recognizing a transition for what it is and moving forward with resilience and a positive attitude can dispel or lessen feelings of anxiety and uncertainty and help us welcome a new season of change.