Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Let's Solve This!

Saving Sam!!

But first lets review what we've done....

.........

Identify the Controls and Variables


KrustyKrusty was told that a certain itching powder was the newest best thing on the market, it even claims to cause 50% longer lasting itches. Interested in this product, he buys the itching powder and compares it to his usual product. One test subject (A) is sprinkled with the original itching powder, and another test subject (B) was sprinkled with the Experimental itching powder. Subject A reported having itches for 30 minutes. Subject B reported to have itches for 45 minutes.
Identify the-
1. Control Group
2. Independent (Manipulated) Variable
3. Dependent (Responding) Variable
4. Explain whether the data supports the advertisements claims about its product.

BartBart believes that mice exposed to radio waves will become extra strong (maybe he's been reading too much Radioactive Man). He decides to perform this experiment by placing 10 mice near a radio for 5 hours. He compared these 10 mice to another 10 mice that had not been exposed. His test consisted of a heavy block of wood that blocked the mouse food. he found that 8 out of 10 of the radio waved mice were able to push the block away. 7 out of 10 of the other mice were able to do the same.

Identify the-
5. Control Group
6. Independent (Manipulated) Variable
7. Dependent (Responding) Variable
8. What should Bart's conclusion be?
________________________________________________________________________

Lets put our brain to the test!
Use the Scientific Method

Saving Sam.......


Only You Can Help Save Sam!

Sam has been spending his summer boating on the great lakes.  However, he’s not too bright (after all, the brains of worms are pretty small).  He’s never learned how to swim, and he never wears his life preserver.  The worst has happened!  His boat has capsized and he’s stuck!  Fortunately, his life preserver is in the boat, but unfortunately he does not know how to reach it without falling off and drowning.

Use the Scientific Method to:

Problem:
How can you and your partner save Sam using only 4 paper clips.  You may not touch Sam, the boat, or the life preserver directly with your hands.

Materials:
  • Gummy Worm
  • Gummy “Life Saver” preserver
  • 1 Plastic or Paper Cup
  • 4 Paper Clips

Procedures:
    1. Work with your partner and "Save Sam".
    2. Follow the rules.
      • Sam, the boat, the life preserver can be touched only with the paper clips.  NO HANDS.
    3. Develop a data section that includes
      • Diagrams of how you saved Sam
      • A detailed protocol describing the diagrams.
    4. Homework:
      • Analyze and conclude the experiment.
        • This means that you must discuss (tell me what you think) about the difficulty of the task, what other strategies you and your partner worked on before you succeeded, and what you think the critical steps were for solving this problem.
      • Although this is working backwards, and not how scientists normally work, please develop a hypothesis for this lab.  (Remember that a hypothesis is an ‘if-then’ statement: if I do this, then this will happen)

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Think Like A Scientist!


Scientific Thinking



How do we solve a difficult question?

Take 3 minutes to rearrange this engineering method according to what you think is correct.
Communicate
Brainstorm
Test the prototype
Research
Define the problem
Develop a prototype


Steps of the Engineering Design Process

What method does this resemble?...

                  
3 misinterpreted words in bio.....
  • Hypothesis:  hypothesis will give a plausible explanation that will be tested. It can also explain future phenomenon that will need to be tested. Ex: If fenders are placed on a bicycle, then the user will stay dry when going through puddles.
  • Theory: After hypotheses have been tested many times, with accurate results, they become theories. Ex: Cell Theory
  • Law: A law has been widely accepted. This means that it is assumed to be a true and will predict the outcome of certain conditions or experiments.

              
Reading Graphs

 
Remember the acronym DRY MIX

Dependent                    Manipulating
Responding                  Independent
Y-axix                            X-axis



Control Group V. Dependent Variables V. Independent Variables



Now lets apply this to Biology

  1. A scientist is testing the effects of medication on the blood pressure of patients. 
  2. A scientist wants to find out how cellular respiration is affected by temperature. 
  3. A scientist is measuring the effect of precipitation on seed germination. 



First Day of Learning

First Day of Learning

LAB SAFETY 



What's wrong with this picture? Take a minute to identify the correct and incorrect procedures being followed in this classroom.


Here are some safety symbols to memorize:


What do all these pictures have in common?



                                                                                                               

What purpose do these structures have on these organisms?


Think Turn Talk......
If the temperature of this room were to suddenly increase 10 degrees, what would your internal temperature be? What if the temperature dropped 5 degrees? Why?






In 5 words or less, what does evolution mean?



– The genetic makeup of a population of a species changes. 
– Evolution can occur through natural selection of adaptations. 
– Adaptations are beneficial inherited traits that are passed to future generations. 


Here is the section quiz for today's lesson. Complete it by Friday....Unifying Theme Quiz 1

If you missed today's class here are some quick notes....

The unifying themes of biology:

  • Systems—Related parts interact to form a whole. Examples include cells that work together to perform a function; different organs that work together; different organisms that interact in an ecosystem.
  • Structure and Function— Function is related to structure. Examples include cell structure and function; anatomical structure and function.
  • Homeostasis— Stable internal conditions are maintained through automatic responses and through behavior. Examples include temperature regulation 
  • Evolution— Gradual change in genetic makeup of a population of a species. Examples include adaptations in different environments resulting in different species. 


Hey guys this will be your 1st major assessment....It is due Monday midnight/12:00 am. Are you ready to accept the challenge?

 ..... 

Click On Your Class Period To Access The Lab Safety Test!

2nd Period                   5th Period              8th Period
4th Period                    6th Period              9th Period


Don't forget to turn in your signed docs (5) by Friday August 29th for your 1st minor assessments for grades of a 100!!!!
  • Syllabus
  • Flinn Safety Contract
  • BISD Technology Resource and Internet Contract
  • Edmodo Parent Permission Slip
  • Emergency Medical Information Form

Saturday, August 23, 2014

First Day of Bio Class

Congratulations

You made it to the 10th grade! 

Welcome to Biology!! 

Photograph by Muhammad Mochtar, National Geographic Your Shot

Today we will become familiar with the class syllabus and review class expectation..

At home or on campus...


  •  Create a Google account with your last name present (ex:lramirez@gmail.com)                                                               (non-ex: iliveinabox@gmail.com) Click here
  • Complete and submit the online student information Sheet...Click here
  • SAVE this web add address to your smart phone!
  • Download "Edmodo" app onto your smart phone...Click here

If you lose these documents please print & review with an adult and bring back signed by your parent/guardian.



Important Websites:



You will need the following items for this class:


Pen & Pencil:

         

















2" 3 Ring Binder with Dividers (Daily work, Labs, Test):


















Composition Notebook or a Spiral Notebook:





All supplies will be due Friday

Thanks for stopping by!