Service in Vienna

For my service learning assignment, I helped set up and clean up a fundraiser for the orchestra program at Kamiak High School called Vienna Ball on Friday, January 27. Participants can buy tickets for the Ball, which features dance lessons and two hours of live waltz music provided by the Kamiak High School orchestra, and proceeds directly benefit the Kamiak music program. Before the dance (3:00 - 4:30 pm), I helped decorate tables, arrange flowers, and set up the photo booth. After the dance, I helped take down lights, pack up decorations, and rehang the ordinary posters and signs. Brian Steves, the director of the Kamiak High School orchestra program, organized the event (stevesbp@mukilteo.wednet.edu). 

Biology is equally important for balance on the microscopic and macrosopic level. The structure and function of every cell in every organism is determined by the organisms's genetic code. Similarly, interactions between organisms, of the same or different species, is largely influenced by genetically coded instincts. Science helps us understand the driving forces behind every organism's actions and sometimes correct functional or structural issues in the organism or population. 

Although biology strives to understand every type of organism, a significant portion of research specifically tackles humans and human interactions. On the microscopic level, doctors can help correct the function or structure of individual humans by prescribing medication to correct chemical inbalances, recommending exercises that realign tissues, performing corrective surgeries, etc. These kinds of corrections benefit society by increasing the average health and functionality of its consituents. Science also directly tackles human society on the macroscopic level by explaining basic human phenomenons like deja vu and why you yawn when anyone around you yawns. Some discoveries, like body language and basic conflict resolution techniques, help members of the general public interact and collaborate effectively. Other findings may specifically benefit politicians, advertisers, or other professions based on human interaction. In every case, human society functions more effectively when based on biological research. 

Despite several significant anomalies in human populations, our communities share one key trait with every species: dependancy on other organisms. Humans require basic nutrients like clean air and protein. Similarly, human societies depend on natural products for commercial goods to maintain an organized community that outranks the quality of the life of a hunter-gatherer. Biological research of ecosystems empowers and drives human motivation to care for the environment, if only to protect our own future. 

Four questions I thought of based on this experience:

1. Classical music traditionally uses 3/4 and 4/4 time in music. Is there any neurological significance of the numbers 3 or 4 in nature or the brain? 

2. Similarly, are human minds hardwired to prefer patterns? How would that work with individual chemicals and cells? Does thinking in even numbers, for example, tend to create even neuron pathways? 

3. Why do some people enjoy dancing? Why do some people prefer to sit out? 

4. What areas of the brain recognize and respond to dancing and music?