“Jeffersonville High School is paying students $100 for every Advanced Placement science, math, and English test they pass. “It’s that extra motivation to do well,” says freshman Kegan Cane. Jeffersonville is one of nine high schools selected to split a $7 million grant from the Indiana Department of Education. “We’re extremely excited about it,” says Assistant Principal Ginger Whitis. “This means we can now break down barriers for students who may not have looked at AP courses.” Senior Zach Blankenbaker says, “With that incentive, you’re looking at, well, if I pass this class, this class, and this class, I could be looking at two or three hundred dollars. That’s a great way to help with the study habits of a high school student.” w/ photo

“Scientists have discovered a new shrimp-like species in a gypsum cave in southeastern New Mexico, only a few dozen miles from the famous caves at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The species of amphipod was unknown before being discovered about a month ago in the Burton Flats area east of Carlsbad, said Jim Goodbar, the Bureau of Land Management’s senior cave specialist… Blind, about a half-inch long and almost translucent, the amphipod was found in a subterranean pool inside a cave no more than 80 feet from the surface. The cave had been explored before, but samples had never been taken of the water until a biological inventory was done as part of plans to expand potash mining in the area. For Goodbar and other cave researchers, short of rocketing into space, the depths of the earth represent one of the last unexplored frontiers for humankind.” w/ photos