Family Science: Stained Glass Ornament

 Steve Spangler posted a stained glass ornament craft which uses glue, food coloring, and dish soap. It’s a bit of science—just a bit!   The video is below.

Designer Baby Project

 One topic I use as a project is called Designer Babies.  Should couples design their own baby?  Our local  Co-op is Roman Catholic.  (We welcome every family; our perspective, though, is Roman Catholic.). What are the implications of designing your baby?  We look at IVF and embryo selection. But, we consult the Catholic Bishops for Church teachings.  One publication we use is Begotten, Not Made.  This publication explains Catholic teachings especially regarding IVF, which the Church opposes.  The kids will examine IVF, gene-based embryo selection, preimplantation genetic testing, polygenic risk scores,  CRISPR gene-editing, savior siblings, egg donation, and three parent techniques.  Every time we explore the topic of Designer Babies there are new developments with new ethical challenges, complete with sensational headlines.  My kids are going to work on the project over Christmas Break and discuss the topic with their families in light of the teachings of the Catholic Church.  I’ll post good samples.  BTW, I send out a letter to the families about the project in advance.  Let’s tackle thorny issues in science!

Genetic Traits Inventory

 The Co-op Biology class is collecting data for their families’ genetic traits using An Inventory of My Traits. (The activity loads easily on iPads or iPhones.  It was trickier to open with an android laptop.). The kids are collecting data from their respective families and creating spreadsheets.  My plan is to calculate the frequencies for each trait listed and compare them to the general population.  Below is a sample one student sent for her family.  I’ll post more samples after the kids compile their data.

Toys from Trash: Beginner’s Biology

 Are you familiar with Arvin’s Gupta’s website Toys from Trash?  He has toys to make under the heading, Beginner’s Biology.  Look at the DNA Helix made with colorful straw and tape.  This is much less expensive than even modest DNA models.  The Brain Cap is similar to this Brain Hat.  But, the brain hat should be printed in color on to card stock.  Instead, make a paper mache version and use the brain hat to label the cap.  The same is true for the paper skeleton.  This paper skeleton is easier to label when it’s printed on card stock.  Your child can benefit by drawing the skeleton herself.  I like options.  Gupta’s Toys from Trash has options for families on a tight budget; even printing can be expensive.  Often kids learn more by making their own models.

Assessment

Okay, I assess all of the time.  Sometimes, I test, too.  There is a difference.  I read a post on Social Media asking whether tests and quizzes are necessary for Apologia Biology.  Could the student just read and take notes?  You already know where I stand on experiments and hands-on activities.  But, I am a huge proponent of assessment.  When the kids make models, I check to see of the model has all of the components. Lab reports are corrected and revised until the student has completed the report.  Many assignments and activities are graded on completion.  However, frequently, I want to know if the kids understand the topic and can demonstrate their understanding.  For example, today’s quiz requires kids to show they can transcribe and translate DNA into amino acids.  The test Thursday requires them to explain replication, transcription, and translation in short essays.  The kids need to show me they can name the parts of a microscope or bones of a skeleton.  I use a huge variety of assessments: questions, oral answers, data analysis, lab reports, and test and quizzes.  I think reading and notes are important; assessment is a tool to determine whether a teen understands the material.

Genetics Activities

Let me share several activities I do with my Co-op Biology class.   Here is a Heredity Simulation with craft sticks.  Another fun activity is Baby Lab or Create a Baby Lab. You know I love to use candy in Biology.  I’m doing Stats and Probability with M&Ms. I’ll post images when the kids do the activities.

Genetics Introduction

 This week, we are starting the genetics unit.  (We’ll incorporate mitosis and meiosis with genetics.). One comprehensive website for genetics is here.  My teens start with A Genetics Traits Inventory.  We include the PTC test.  (HST sells the PTC paper.). The kids will graph the class data for homework in a spreadsheet.  I’m hoping the data mirrors these general population reference numbers.  I’ll have the kids do the inventory with their families, too.  

Next are Punnett Squares and Practice.  I’m using this slideshow about Gregor Mendel.  I spend more time on human traits than pea plant traits.  Invest time practicing Punnett Squares and emphasize the meaning of terms: alleles, dominance, recessive, etc.  Remember this is fun!

Poinsettia Acid Base Indicators

 Colorful plant leaves have anthocyanins in addition to chlorophyll.  Anthocyanins, such as red cabbage,, can be used to make acid base indicators.  Here is a pH color chart for several foods with anthocyanins: beets, apple skin, grape juice, etc.  Some kids find pH indicators enthralling.  Here is a post about using household chemicals for acid base tests once you make your own pH indicators.  If you use red cabbage leaves, beets, or pointsettias, boil the leaves for at least ten minutes.  You may soak leaves in alcohol instead.  Try it!

More Christmas Experiments and Fun!

I bet you are planning family activities as we ger closer to Christmas.  Here is a Light Bulb Chromatography lab, which calls for water soluble markers.  Be sure to include a black marker.  Have you seen Scientist Snowflakes?  It’s literally scientists as snowflakes. Here are Holiday Series and Parallel Lights for Physical Science people.  Here are cute science gift tags for Hot Chocolate.  HST offers a discount on a Biology Christmas Bundle.  I know families give more expensive science kits as Christmas presents.  Microwave marshmallow snowmen, just as you would microwave peeps or microwave Ivory soap.  Gather pine ones and make Colored Flame Pune Cones to burn in the fire place or fire pit.  Alum, borax, calcium chloride (Driveway Heat) and Epsom salts produce colorful flames.  Copper sulfate produces teal flames.  Yes, you could just toss some of these salts right in the flames instead.  Here is another article with more suggested salts for colorful flames safely.  See?  Your kids won’t get bored at all!

DNA Quiz and Test

Apologia has sets of tests for students.  I modify everything.  Next week  the kids are taking a DNA quiz .test image is below.  The kids are going to identify terms and write or illustrate DNA replication, transcription, and translation.  My goal is an understanding of the processes.  I’ll post good examples next week.

DNA Extraction

 Module 7, Experiment 7.1 is the DNA extraction.  (It’s Experiment 6.1 in the third edition of Apologia Biology.). We are using dry, split peas with one twist.  The kids will experiment with different concentrations of isopropyl alcohol, different detergents or soaps, and different salts: iodized salt, Kosher salt, and sea salt, which has no iodine. Each group will select a different factor and compare results with their class mates.   This allows kids to write a hypothesis to predict whether, the percent alcohol, type of salt, or type of detergent impacts the amount of DNA extracted.  The kids will write a formal lab report for the DNA extraction, too.  I’ll post pix tomorrow and follow up with sample reports as they roll in, albeit slowly.  The white strands are DNA.