Free Lab Activities

 One of my favorite science resources, Flinn Scientific, just posted these Free Science Activities.  Take a look!  Some, like Glue Slime will be very familiar.  I find there is always a new idea to try.

Family Science: Marbling ideas!

 I was watching a craft competition.  Two contestants sprayed paint on the surface of a basin of water and dipped wood to make tie-dyed tree shapes.  Here are detailed instructions for marbling wood, glass, metal, and paper with spray paint on the surface of the water.  Here are instructions and background information to marble paper.  Here is an article with a bit of science background for marbling rocks with nail polish.  Here is the blog post about marbling paper and rock.  Here is an article from Scientific American which explains a bit more about marbling paper.  Hydrophilic means water loving.  Hydrophobic means water fearing.  Polar molecules attract other polar molecules and repel non polar molecules.  Water is very polar.  Spray paint and nail polish are nonpolar; they are also less dense and remain on the surface of a basin of water.  Feel free to skip the science lesson and have a blast with your kids marbling objects, such as glass jars.  We buy glassware from Good Will and make Christmas presents. (BTW, use large recycled containers for the water basin.)  Have fun!  Merry Christmas!

Metal Ornaments

 One of my favorite ornaments to make with Chemistry classes is Ornament Making from Flinn.  Here’s the rub; the lab calls for 6M hydrochloride acid.  When I do this lab I dip the metal ornaments in HCl myself.  (Below is a pix with instructions from a Facebook post.). Here is Foiled Again.  This lab uses aluminum foil.  The discussion thread mentions buying aluminum blanks, also pictured below.  The author suggests covering the aluminum blank with adhesive vinyl and carving out the design.  My teens cover the blanks with masking tape before carving the designs.  I’m going to keep my eye out for inexpensive aluminum blanks and try this with copper sulfate.  

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!