Have a great summer!

Enjoy your summer.  Hope it is filled with fun!

Wednesday June 5th - Sun Safety Lab

Problem/ Question:How well do different materials protect the skin from the sun?

Students working on their Sun Safety Lab.

Colts Soccer Jersey Being Tested

LLBean UV rated shirt tested against Regular Cotton Shirt.

HMS Students confirm the 40+ UV rating of the LLBean Shirt!

(Control strip on left, shirt showing UV rays being blocked on right, full exposure in center).

Monday and Tuesday June 3rd and 4th

We are in the final stretch of our Unit on Skin and Skin Cancer.
We discussed who is at risk for skin cancer and the treatments.

The final assignment can be viewed here.

Here is the link to the Skin Unit Project site

Today (Tuesday) we welcome Dr. Janice Pelletier into our class.  Dr. Jan wrote a bill to ban tanning for adolescents under the age of 18.  She will discuss the science and process behind her actions.  

Here are some links to "Skin Cancer in the News" and editorials written around the bill.  

Click here to acces the website.

We will also be completing a 
Sun Safety Lab that can be accessed here.
Postponed until Wednesday due to lack of sun.

May 30th - How to detect Skin Cancer?

Goals for today:

• How can you detect and classify skin cancer?
• What are the three types of skin cancer?
• What is the "No Tanning Pledge?"

Link to videos on the - "No Tanning Pledge." - Melanoma Foundation of New England

ABCDEs of Skin Cancer- Click here for a link to the worksheet.

May 29th - What causes skin cancer?

Goals from today's class.

• Understand UV Rays - pros/cons 
• What is the cause of skin cancer? (See image below)
• Classify the different types of skin cancer.

Notes from today's class - Causes of Skin Cancer - Click here to access.

Here is a link to tonight's WebQuest on Skin Cancer Types.  Click here to access.

May 28th - Introduction to the Integumentary System...in simple terms your skin!

Here is a link to a web site we have set up for you to learn about your skin and the effects of UV Rays.  

Click here to access the web site.

We are fortunate to have Mrs. Erin VanWagenen a local doctor to help us out with some of the content.

Today we will be learning about the structure and function of our skin.

Click above to access the worksheet.

Here is the link to the homework webquest investigation EM Spectrum and UV Rays.

Here is the link to the FDA site.

Some cool facts to get us started:

• Skin is your largest organ in your body!
• Your skin accounts for 15% of your body weight!
• Over 50% of dust in your home is dead skin.....YUCK!
• Your skin has its own micro-biome...over 1,000 species of bacteria on it.
• It takes babies 6 months to develop their permanent skin tone.  

Skeletal System - Composition of Bones and Review

Here are some links to some review items on the skeletal system:
Reading on Bones and joints- Sciencesaurus
Worksheet Labeling the Bones found in your body

Today we are going to cover the major structures and functions of you bones:

• Periosteum
• compact (hard) bone
• cancellous (spongy) bone
• bone marrow (red and yellow)

Here is a link to a great video on the composition of bone by National Geographic.

Link to Worksheet on Your Bones - Bone Composition.

Here is the link to KidsHealth -Your bones

Tuesday May 21st - Where are joints located in our bodies?

Today in class we covered the joints in your bodies.

Immovable:

Moveable:

• hinge
• ball and socket
• pivot
• gliding

Here are some demonstrations and models that students brought in today.

Then we completed a science webquest online - Virtual Body.
Link to Skeletal Webquest

May 20th - Introduction to Skeletal System

Skeletal Systems Structure and Function:
Structure:
bones, ligaments, cartilage, joints

Function:
1. protection
2. support/ shape
3. create blood cells
4. storage
5. movement


Interactive Sites:
PHSchool.com
Webcode- CEP - 4012

Learn the Bones - ABCya

BBC - Joints Interactive

Inner Body - Joints and Skeleton of leg and foot

Wisc online- Skeleton

Study Guide for Thursday's Assessment

Here is the Review Powerpoint for the Circulatory and Respiratory Assessment.

Circulatory & Respiratory Study Guide

Both Systems:

Major structures & functions

• Circ. - Heart, blood vessels, blood
• Resp. - Lungs, diaphragm, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli

How the systems work together to collect & distribute oxygen & eliminate wastes (CO2) - Essay question

Circulatory System:

Functions of the chambers of the heart:  

• Atria - Collection, Ventricles - Pumping chambers

Blood flow throughout the heart & body

• PHSchool.com, code CEP-4031

Cardiovascular health - Diseases & preventions

• Heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure & atherosclerosis
• Healthy diet, avoid smoking, fatty/salty foods

Respiratory System:

Gas exchange process - What happens in & around around the alveoli in the lungs - Essay (see above)

Mechanics of breathing - Role of diaphragm in breathing

• PHSchool.com, code CEP-4041

Gasses in the air - Oxygen = 21%

Air passages & how they help in maintaining respiratory health

• Moisten, heat & filter the air we breathe

Tuesday May 14th - Reviewing Science with Sidewalk Chalk in the Sun!

Pictures of students reviewing the circulatory and respiratory systems using sidewalk chalk.

Also gaining quality Vitamin D on a beautiful day!

MONDAY'S WORK May 13TH - Gas Exchange

Click here and Read the following article- Respiratory System Discovery Kids and then answer the questions on the provided worksheet in class (here is a copy as well).

Connecting the circulatory and respiratory systems together!

The Gas Exchange - Interactive sites

Link- About Kids Health- Gas Exchange

Link - Wisc Online Gas Exchange

Once you have watched and completed the following interactive sites.  Summarize what you have learned using the provided Gas Exchange prompt.
(This is homework if you do not finish)

Here is the scoring guide - Click to Access

Wednesday May 8th

Heart Rate and Blood Flow Link 

Go to PHSchool.com Here 

Type in the Web code - cep- 4031

Reminder that your Disease of the Week Project is due on Friday.  Remember that you need a citations page.

Link to rubric for Disease of the Week project.

Amazing Respiratory Link and Tuesday's Respiratory Lab

Click here for an amazing respiratory link.

Today's Lab - Respiratory System
Access by clicking here

Monday 6th - Introduction to Respiratory System

Today we introduced the respiratory system and will look at how do the circulatory and respiratory system work together to produce energy in your body.

Here is an image of the respiratory system and its structures.

Here is an image of the gas exchange that occurs between the alveoli and the capillaries.

This is a really good interactive site for looking at the breathing process.

Access code: cep-4041

May 1st - Pig Heart Dissection

A great day to dissect pig hearts!  Thank you parent volunteers for giving us your time and expertise!

The kids amazed me with their focus and knowledge!  Great job.

Here is a video of a student tracing the blood flow in the heart.

Here are some pictures from today's lab.

Pig Heart Dissection- Wednesday May 1st

Please take some time and look over the Pig Heart Dissection powerpoint below.

Pig Heart Dissection Powerpoint

This will be just like the one we will complete on Wednesday.  Be familiar with the names and parts.

Monday April 29th - Wrapping up the Circulatory System

Hi All,

Today we are finishing up our work on the circulatory system.

Here is a review video to watch on the blood flow.



After you are done watching this you can go to this link and complete the interactive quiz.
Label the Heart

Here is one more link from Nova on the Human Heart.

Here is the image of the hear that you will use to trace the blood flow.  Remember you will have a word ban kto help you out, but you need to identify the parts and how the blood moves.

Thursday April 25th - Blood FLow in the Heart

Watch my video on the flow of blood in the heart.

Wednesday April 24th - Heart and Blood Flow

Today we reviewed the structure and function of the circulatory system.

We also introduced the heart.  Specifically we looked at the parts of the heart and how the blood flows through it.

Here are some pictures from the work we did today.

Monday April 22nd

Today we introduced the Disease/Disorder of the Week Project.

Click here to link to the project site.

Topics are due Thursday!

Email Mr. Cuthbert your top 3 choices AND why you chose them.

Monday and Tuesday , April 8 and April 9th 2013

Here is the study guide for the Assessment on Cell Processes.

Hi Everyone,

As we thunder towards April Vacation I must stress how impressed I am with how productive you have been over these past few weeks.  Great work on your labs too, I look forward to reading them all this week!

Some reminders of things to be working on:

1. Photosynthesis and Respiration Comics (due Tuesday)

2. Review Cell Processes Study Sheet (Quiz on Thursday)

3. Also think of some arguments you might make as to which cell process is ore important to human existence--Photosynthesis or Respiration?  Hmmmm......

Keep up the good work and know that your teachers appreciate your efforts!

Friday, April 5, 2013

Yeast Fermentation Lab!

Scientists,

Well done today with the lab despite the fact that we did not see the results as quickly as we might have thought.  Some of your labs actually came out quite well!  Unfortunately you were all out the door and starting your weekend fun before you could see it!!

Good science means that we are always "tinkering and experimenting" for ways to get results with our labs.  Why do you thi nk we saw faster results when we added heat and more yeast to the beakers?  We can explore this more on Monday!

For those of you who would like to get a head start on the Post Lab Analysis here is an image of what your beakers looked like before the fermentation took place and what they looked like after:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Click on the images to enlarge them, but from left to right it is the water, the Powerade, the fruit punch, and the Hi-C.

Enjoy the weekend and be sure to email Mr. Greg with any questions you might have about the lab or the comics!

  

Friday April 5, 2013 - Study Guide

Here is the study guide for the Assessment on Cell Processes.

Be sure to fill this out over the next few days and check in with your teachers on any questions prior to Thursday April 11th.

Yeast Fermentation Lab

Greetings Scientists,

On Friday you will be conducting an experiment to observe the evidence of yeast activity.  Before performing the lab, you must take the time to answer the Pre-Lab Questions from the handout given to you today in class.  The link to the reading "Chapter 15-Investigating Fungi II--Yeast" will help you answer these questions.  Be sure to read pg. 180-182 and the Lab Instructions!

Chapter 15-Investigating Fungi II--Yeast

The Pre-Lab Questions must be completed by the start of class on Friday for you to do the lab.

Good Luck!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

We had some excellent discussions today about the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration.  It is always great to see that a lot of critical thinking is taking place!

During class, we talked about fermentation including alcoholic fermentation in yeast and lactic acid fermentation in the muscles of humans.

Also, we kicked off class with a gallery walk for students to share their illustrations and poems depicting photosynthesis and respiration.  Here is a lovely example of student work:

Helpful Fermentation Link:
http://leavingbio.net/respiration-(ordinary%20level).htm

Helpful Comparison link between anaerobic and aerobic respiration
Click Here

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Greetings Everyone,

Today, we took an interactive trip into an animal cell (via iCell) and took a closer look at the mitochondria of the cell.  We learned back when we first started working with cells that the mitochondria are known as the "powerhouses" of the cell.  Today, we were able to connect that analogy with the fact that mitochondria are essential to respiration.

We also took the time to compare and contrast respiration and photosynthesis.  The students used their Venn Diagram's from Monday night and helped me make a Double Bubble as seen below....

Tomorrow, I look forward to seeing the creative drawings and writing pieces that students put together to demonstrate the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration!

Monday, April 1, 2013

MAJOR EXAM TOMORROW WORTH 95% OF GRADE!

....April Fools!
(Mr. Greg is so lame...)

What's no joke is how well both classes worked today as we started to shift our focus from one cell process to another and are now looking at respiration.

Now that we know cellular respiration is a series of chemical reactions by which energy is released from sugars with the use of oxygen; heat is a waste product of the thousands of respirations taking place in the mitochondria of your cells.

The following link includes what we read in class today (it is always a good idea to refresh!) as well as some extra reading that will help you with your Photosynthesis vs. Respiration Venn Diagrams you are making tonight!

Science Explorer - Respiration

Looking forward to another great day tomorrow.  Keep up the good work!

Links for Class Today--March 29, 2013

Good Morning Devils and Good Afternoon Tweeties!

Today in class you will be taking part in a webquest.  You should have a hard copy of the quest and here is the link to it:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/methuselah/photosynthesis.html#

Once you have completed the webquest you may see Mr. Greg for the Photosynthesis Section Summary reading and questions.  This will help reinforce what we have learned this week.

Also, check out these helpful links:

Helpful Animation

Photosynthesis Song!

Chloroplast and Chlorophyll

Remember that you can also take some time to work on your Photosynthesis A-Z sheet!

I'd also like to reinforce that both groups did a wonderful job this week!  We are very impressed with your work ethic, positive interaction, and critical thinking skills.

Enjoy the Weekend!

Photosynthesis Notes

Hi All,

Here are some notes from class from Megan and a very helpful illustration made by Callie Decker!  Hope you find this helpful.

Notes from Class

Equation Illustration


Also here is a helpful link with a interactive illustration of photosynthesis:  http://lifesciences.envmed.rochester.edu/movies/photosynthesis.swf

Wednesday, March 28, 2013

The Chemical Equation for Photosynthesis

Today in class, our scientists constructed and solved the equation for photosynthesis.  At the start of class we thought that the equation for photosynthesis was this....

BEFORE

After posting our formula, we discussed what molecules and which ones are present in photosynthesis (water, carbon dioxide, glucose, and oxygen).  We then broke down the equation from the ground up and, thanks to our new knowledge of coefficients and subscripts were able to construct the equation!!

AFTER:

JOB WELL DONE SCIENTISTS!

Stomata Lab Sheet

When you have finished your scientific drawings....

Click on the following link to reflect and answer the Pots-Lab Analysis questions:

Stomata Lab Sheet

March 27th - Stomata Lab

Here are images of the Kale leave under 400 magnification.  The circled items are the stomatal openings on the leaf.  What do you think is happening when they are open?

Tuesday March 26, 2013

Photosynthesis: Exploring the Cell

During today's lesson we investigated further into the process of photosynthesis.  We even took a look into the plant cell and explored the organelles such as chloroplasts, which play a pivotal role in photosynthesis, by using the iCell app on the iPad.

Tonight, our scientists will be getting creative and finding a way to illustrate their understanding of photosynthesis.  Some options include drawing a picture (with color!), writing a story, or perhaps a poem.

At the end of class, Mr. Greg read "Oh Say Can you Seed?" from The Cat in the Hat's Reading Library.  Here are some clips from the book for inspiration!

Our students work to compare to Dr. Seuss.

Monday, March 25th 2013

Photosynthesis

Today in science we introduced our new unit on Photosynthesis.  Photosynthesis is the process by which a cell captures energy in sunlight and uses it to make its own food (a type of sugar called glucose).

As a class we focused on a few key terms to know when learning about photosynthesis such as autotrophs, heterotrophs, pigments, chlorophyll, and stomata.

Tomorrow, we will start to dive deeper into the the process of photosynthesis.  The reading for tonight will help reinforce our new understanding of how organisms get energy.  The reading will also introduce the two stages of photosynthesis.

Here is the link for the reading from our Science Explorer text.

We also took the time to watch this three minute video from Discovery's "Greatest Scientific Discovery" series and learned about the experiments that enabled Priestly and Ingenhousz to "discover" photosynthesis.

Wednesday -Thursday 20- 21st - Study Guide and Comparing Active and Passive Transport

Today we made a comparison between active and passive transport using a Double Bubble graphic organizer.

Here are some pictures of the carousel activity that we completed Wednesday.

Here is a link to the the online BBC Webquest.  I emailed this to your school accounts as well in a Pages format so you can type right into it.

Here is the Cell Transport Study Guide for Friday's Quiz.

Here is a final BBC Video that is very good on osmosis and diffusion.

Here are a few good review question on plant cell osmosis.

Here is a great visual of the effect of osmosis and blood cells.

Here is a look into today's review session using a cafe style review technique.

Egg Osmosis Lab

Here is the link to the Egg Osmosis Lab if you want to attempt it.
Download the directions here.

Active Transport - March 18th 2013

Today we were introduced to the second form of cell transport, active transport.
Active transport is when energy is needed to be used to move molecules from low concentration to high concentration across a cell membrane.  Often in this form of transport, transport proteins are used to aid the process.

Here is an image of active transport.

Here is a link comparing of active and passive transport.

Here is a video showing active transport in terms of the sodium/ potassium pump.

March 14th - Onion Cell Osmosis Lab

Here is the lab we completed today looking at osmosis and red onion cells.
Click here to access lab.

Background:

A substance that dissolves in another substance is called a solute, and the more plentiful substance that does the dissolving is called the solvent.  In living things, water is the solvent.  The mixture of solute and solvent is called a solution. Solute and solvent tend to diffuse from areas where their concentration is high to areas where their concentration is lower.  When water moves from higher concentration of water to lower concentration of water through a cell membrane, it is called osmosis. 

Here is the cell before the salt solution was added.

Here is the cell after the salt solution was added.

Notice the decrease in size of the vacuole as the water is diffused out of it.

March 12th - Diffusion Lab

Today we completed a lab on diffusion.

The essential question was - How do cells move molecules in and out of their membranes?

Here is the Introduction of the lab:

In this lab you will observe the diffusion of a substance across a semi-permeable membrane. We will model cell membranes using a plastic bag and explore movement of molecules when we change the concentration of substances.  Iodine is a known indicator for starch. An indicator is a substance that changes color in the presence of the substance it indicates. 

Here is a link to the lab.

Here are some photos of the before and after.  The iodine diffused through the bag and reacted with the starch turning it purple!

Students need to complete the post-lab for homework.

Monday March 11th - Cell Transport

Today we will be starting a Unit on Cell Transport (active and passive).

Here are the notes from today's class.  Click here to access.
Today in class we will add to these notes filling in examples of each of the vocabulary terms from demonstrations performed in class.


Here are some interactive links showing diffusion of molecules - a form of passive transport.

Wisc-Online - The Cell Passive Transport Demo

Northland College - Passive Transport Demo

Happy World Science Day!!!!

The World Education Games is an annual global online challenge to get all students (4-18 years of age) excited about learning, and to give the top students in all schools an opportunity to see how they measure up against the best in the world. Last year, over 5 million students were a part of what is now the world’s largest online education event. 

Here is the link to the competition - Click here

Question of the Day- March 4th

What was Sutton's breakthrough discovery in genetics?  Why was this discovery important to us?

Email Mr. Greg the answer.  First correct answer wins!

Meiosis vs Mitosis - Week of March 4th

When you are done your DNA models, check them with a teacher and then start work on the Mitosis vs Meiosis 
Webquest below.
Mitosis vs Meiosis Webquest Worksheet.

After you have completed the webquest view a few of the below videos.  Pay close attention to the following:
1. How many daughter cells are found at the end of each cell division?
2. What is the function of each division and which cells do they occur in?
3. How many chromosomes are found in the daughter cells compared to the mother cells?
4. How many divisions and interphases does each go through?

Visual showing mitosis vs meiosis - McGraw Hill

Nova Online- How Cells Divide

Homework study link and in class reference.
A great comparison chart of mitosis and meiosis

Interactive Games
Dragon Meiosis - Interactive Game
Please run in Safari so that it has the correct Adobe Flash

Snurfle Meiosis and Genetics
Cute Game

Fling the Teacher Meiosis
This is hard but fun!

Cell Division Study Guide -

Download the Study Guide Here

Link to Cell Division Study Guide Quizlet

Study Guide: Cell Cycle Assessment 

Prepare to answer the following questions:

1. What is the cell cycle & why does it occur?

2. What are the 3 major stages & at which stage do cells spend the most time?

3. What major events occur during interphase?

Mitosis: Prophase, metaphase, anaphase & telophase

•  Know mitosis stages by picture 
•  Know the order of the stages 
•  Know what occurs in each stage

4. What is cytokinesis?

• How does it differ in animals and plants?

5. What makes up a chromosome? The different parts. 

6. What makes up a DNA? The different parts. 

7. What is meiosis? Be able to compare and contrast meiosis and mitosis

• type of cells they occur in 
• # of cells they have at the end of division 
• # of chromosomes compared to the parental cell are they genetically varied?

Cell Division- Meiosis vs Mitosis- March 1st

Today we are completing the DNA Structure Models.
Here are some pictures from the construction stages.

When you are done your models, check them with a teacher and then start work on the Mitosis vs Meiosis Webquest below.

Mitosis vs Meiosis Webquest Worksheet.

Question of the Day - Feb 28th

What is SLOS? What gene and chromosome is it located on?

Email Mr. Greg the answer.  First correct answer wins!

Thursday 28th -DNA Modeling and Genes and your Health

We will be constructing DNA models using one of the three methods:

• Bead Jewelry
• Origami or
• Candy

The point of the activity is to be able to correctly identify the smaller parts that make up a DNA Molecule .

Here is the DNA Model Rubric

When you are done with your model...

Here is the link to the Nobel Prize Game on DNA Replication.  Be sure to use the correct base pairs!

Finally, here is a link to a reading on cholesterol genes to your health.

Wednesday Feb 27th - DNA Structure

Here is the video on Chromosome wrapping and DNA Synthesis
(Watch until 2:55)




Here is the link to the Nobel Prize Game on DNA Replication.


The following is a link to a reading on DNA's structure and composition.

The Guide- DNA's Chemical Composition and Structure.

Here are two images of the make-up of DNA.
In both of these images you can see the "ladder" sides are made up of a sugar and phosphate, where the central rungs are made up of nitrogen base pairs (A,G,T and C).

We will be constructing DNA models using one of the three methods:

• Bead Jewelry
• Origami or
• Candy

The point of the activity is to be able to correctly identify the smaller parts that make up a strand of DNA.