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It is a reply to a letter written by Zhai Mingjun, a 16-year-old girl in the class. The two astronauts thank the student for her concerns and wish the class luck in their future studies.
“I’m so happy that the two space men replied with a few encouraging words,” said Zhai. Her letter was one of the 10 winning letters taken into space by Fei and Nie, who have succeeded in traveling space in the Sixth Shenzhou Spaceship. Zhai wrote the letter as if she were a younger sister of the astronauts.“As the single child in my family, I always hoped that I would have an elder brother that I could be proud of,” Zhai said.“I thought that the astronauts would be lonely during such a long space trip. I hoped they would feel happy and warm when reading my letter.” Many of Zhai’s classmates also wrote their words of encouragement and admiration to the astronauts. “The letter to the astronauts made us believe that we can also be part of the manned space programme,” said Zhao Dongxu.
    All the students have high expectations for China’s future space programme. “I heard that Snoopy is the mascot (吉祥物) for US astronauts. I hope I can design a mascot for our heroes,” said Liu Mengjie, 16. “A physics class taught by astronauts in outer space would be very interesting. I want to be the astronaut who teaches students about zero gravity with my head upside down in the spaceship,” said Han Yinan.

Many students think that the manned space program is still far away from them. But they feel proud that ordinary students could participate in such a great scientific achievement and hope there will be more possibilities to take part.

Is a mouse that can speak acceptable? How about a dog with human hands or feet? Scientists, the people who know how to make such things happen, are now thinking about whether such experiments are morally right or not.

   On Nov. 10, Britain’s Academy of Medical Sciences launched a study on the use of animals with human materials in scientific research. The work is expected to take at least a year, but its leaders hope it will lead to guidelines for scientists in Britain and around the world on how far they can go mixing human genes into animals in search of ways to fight human diseases.

“Do these constructs (构想) challenge our idea of what it is to be human?” asked Martin Bobrow, a professor of medical genetics at Cambridge University and chair of a 14-member group looking into the issue. “It is important that we consider these questions now so that appropriate boundaries are recognized.”     

  Using human material in animals is not new. Scientists have already created monkeys that have a human form of the Huntingdon’s gene so they can study how the disease develops; and mice with livers (肝) made from human cells are being used to study the effects of new drugs.

  However, scientists say the technology to put ever greater amounts of human genetic material into animals is spreading quickly around the world --- raising the possibility that some scientists in some places may want to go further than is morally acceptable.

     Last year in Britain there was a lively debate over new laws allowing the creation of human-animal embryos (胚胎) for experiments. On one side of the debate were religious groups, who claimed that such science interferes with nature. Opposing them were scientists who pointed out that such experiments were vital to research cures for diseases.

  The experts will publish reports after the end of the study, in which they will give definitions (定义) for animal embryos with human genes or cells, look at safety and animal welfare issues, and consider the right legal framework to work within. 

Suppose you are thinking about attending college in the United States, but perhaps you might not be ready for a university with a four-year program. About 88,000 international students have found solution. They are attending U.S. community colleges. Such colleges are sometimes called junior colleges. They offer two years of education above the secondary or high school level.

  Community college students can choose from subjects like medical assistance, computer science or law. At the end of their study program, they receive a document of completion, called a certificate. Some students work toward an associate degree in traditional academic subjects like science or history. After getting it, the students can move on to a four-year college or university. They may have only two years of study left before they receive a bachelor’s degree.

  Many educational experts agree that saving money is the major reason to consider a community college. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) says that a public two-year college costs 3,000 dollar a year on average. That is true if the student lives in the same state as the school. A student at a four-year public college may pay 8,500 dollars a year for classes and user fees. That does not include books and other materials.

  Some international students may need more preparation in English before entering a community college in the United States. For example, Istrif Montgomery came to the U.S. from Kosovo in 2006. First, he worked to improve his English at Montgomery College for a year. Then for the next two years, he attended classes in basic subjects in a community college.

  The international students at two-year colleges need to find a place to live. Most community colleges do not provide student housing on their grounds. But Mr. Montgomery had a home nearby. He was able to ride the bicycle, and he was able to walk if he wanted. In fact, most community college students live within five to ten miles off the college.

“It takes an entire village to raise a child.” That’s an old proverb(谚语) that is being quoted more and more often these days. And I’m pleased about that.

  Today, more and more schools are reaching out to involve parents, community members and businesses to help shape a child’s future.

  Parents need to be involved in their children’s education in many ways. Helping children with homework and studying, going on a field trip, teaching a craft or coaching a child’s sports team are all great ways to be involved with your child’s education. And don’t forget to communicate with teachers---they need and respect your input. Studies show that children learn more and schools function better when parents and schools work together. It’s important to stay in touch with your child’s education all through his or her school career.

  Communities can help children create and achieve new goals. Help with homework, read to a child, coach a children’s team, or provide emotional support. Help solve problems and build self-esteem. Kids need role models and advisers can be role models by sharing their experiences and wisdom.

  Businesses can also help shape our children’s future. Invite a class from your local school to visit your workplace. You may be providing a glimpse that opens a new world of possibilities. Show students what goes on during a typical day. Give a mini course for students: how to use a computer; how products are made; how machinery works. You may have a developing electrician, teacher, nurse, or even a newspaper reporter on your hands.

  It really does take an entire village to raise a child. So share the responsibility---and the joy---of bringing a child to his or her full potential.