Fandom High School

"To conduct scientific research has, until recently, been the reserve of those with the ability to fund it - historically this has meant patronage or the self-funded enthusiast and now scientists studying at the cost of an institution or business. Governments can and do cut costs - particularly where there is no immediate practical application," said Mohinder.

"NASA budgets are cut dramatically, and drugs research is the province of a few pharmaceutical companies. When the outcome is uncertain and any potential gain distant research becomes difficult even to start." He went on to discuss military funding.

"Does the source of funding for research affect the science? Can such research be unbiased, or are company interests always at heart?" Mohinder continued more lightly, handing out notes, "More immediately, can you persuade your classmates to fund one of these projects?"

[OCD is waiting up]

Mohinder was a little more subdued this week.

"Alchemy is one of the forerunners of modern chemistry, an attempt to better understand this world around us without the rigorous framework that we would recognise as a science today."

Mohinder took a coin from his pocket and flipped it up in the air. "A common theme throughout the centuries is the search for right circumstances to turn base metals into gold. Although these claims are unverified the belief in them remains constant, a common need to believe in what - " Mohinder took a breath "at least, so far - seems beyond the reach of our chemical and physical sciences."

"Would you maintain a belief in the weight of so much evidence against it?" he asked, looking at the coin in his hand, before pocketing it again.

Turning back to the class, Mohinder told them, "The closest we can come to this is plating one metal with other. Try using this setup to change your metals."

[OCD is up!]

"Ionizing radiation, in large, uncontrolled quantities can be lethal," said Mohinder, as he passed out film badges. "It can kill or mutate cells, but unless you're unlucky enough to experience a nuclear explosion or lab accident you should be fine."

He picked up a device from the desk and pointed the receiver around the room as it crackled. "Background radiation is largely low-level and harmless," started Mohinder as he continued on.

"You all have Geiger counters to try using," said as he pointed them out. "And be careful using the X-ray scanner."

[OCD is up!]

Approximately ten feet inside the Danger Shop there was a deep, sharp crack in the earth, marring the otherwise gentle rolling countryside. Mohinder was pacing back and forth on the far side as he waited for the class to assemble.

"Today we'll take a look at mechanics, or more precisely ballistics," said Mohinder. "The science of projectile in..." A cannonball crashed into the ground at his feet, and rolled into the gap below. "...motion." Mohinder glanced back over his shoulder, hoping his programming had been correct. He talked on, briefly covering ballistics, and turning to focus on early siege warfare.

"I won't ask you to move the world with your levers," he said, looking from the moddable materials, tools and paintballs by the edge of the gap to the equally moddable walls and towers on his side. "Try building something that will mark your mark."

[OCD is up!]

"Human anatomy," said Mohinder when the class assembled. "A field in which the primary European text for over a millenia was largely based on the vivisection of dogs."

"There have been a number of religious prescriptions against conducting dissections, and although some of the earliest we know of were committed almost a thousand years ago they remained a relative rarity. Criminals could be sentenced not only to death, but also dissection. For the more serious offences."

Mohinder pointed at the diagram on the board behind him, contining a brief outline, "Circulation, digestion, respiratory, nervous, but one of the earliest system to be mapped was muscularskeleton system." And then in further detail.

"I won't ask you to commit any misdemeanors in class," and Mohinder smiled at that, "But I do want you to assemble the human skeletal system from the modelled bones in front of you," and he nodded at the boxes on the students' desks.

[OCD is live. Have at it.]

"I can't teach class today, I have a headache," Mohinder - this time wearing the more traditional white coat - said, holding a straight-face for a few seconds. "Or rather," as he put a small bottle of pills on the desk he was leaning against, "Today we'll be looking at pain relief."

"We're all wired to feel pain," continued Mohinder. "An individual warning system, without which our lives would almost certainly be much shorter. Alleviating pain takes one of three major pathways - inhibiting nerve endings at the pain site, numbing the central nervous system or local anaesthetics."

Mohinder went on to briefly touch on pain medications in general, before turning and sketching out a chemical formula on the board behind him, still talking. "Salicin was discovered as the active ingredient in willow bark, developed into salicylic acid, which was converted into sodium salicylate, before modification by a German chemist finally produced aspirin."

Looking back at the class Mohinder said, "This included testing of the experimental drugs on the chemist's father - now considered something completely unethical. You have salycilic and acetic acid on your desks, and also coats and goggles. Be sure to wear them when you use the equipment in front of you to prepare aspirin."

[OCD is up]

The Danger Shop appeared to be set up as a normal classroom, bits and pieces of technical equipment lying around. It was only on looking up that would show any difference - an almost pitch black space, scattered with stars.

"We are all insignificant." Mohinder looked enthused at the idea, as he continued, "Occupying only a little space and time on a minor planet, under an ordinary star which is itself one among many, in one of innumerable galaxies. On such a scale our actions are unimportant." He paused, "Though I doubt that will work as an excuse for a missed class."

"But five hundred years ago the most common view was of an earth-centric universe." Mohinder briefly covered the leading figures, behind that change of thought. He picked up a handheld telescope from the desk at the front of the classroom. "The invention of the telescope finally meant there was the opportunity to back their claims with evidence."

"There are, in front of you, all you need to build a refractive or reflective telescopes. Pair up, and take a closer look at the stars." Mohinder pointed up.

[OCD is up]