Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The Future Unit- Why study the future?


Why study the future?

Futuristic studies have become popular with high-end learners.  Bright youngsters are aware of world problems, understand moral responsibility, and need to know creative problem solving techniques.

No one knows what the future holds for us; no one can predict the future; no one can state with authority what information will be important to know.  However, we do know that we can create an advanced, admirable society.   Students must learn to deal with progress and change; be able to creatively solve problems with workable solutions; become task-committed individuals; have open minds; and build the confidence to work efficiently with a team.

Concepts:  change, ethics, cooperation, adaptation, values, justice, perspectives

ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDINGS AND QUESTIONS:
Progress and ethics sometimes come into conflict.
How do scientific inventions become good or bad?

One person can make a difference.
What impact can you/one person have on the future?

You create your future.
What might life as an adult be like for you?



Monday, January 28, 2013

Strawberry DNA Extraction Experiment!






Students learned about DNA last week.  This week they got to extract DNA out of a strawberry.  They learned at all living things(plants and animals) have DNA.  They followed a step by step instruction sheet during this experiment.  The steps were as follows:
1. Maceration(mashing the strawberry in the bag into a liquid form)
2. Set up Filtration Equipment with a coffee filter, clear cup, and rubberband
3. Add Lysis Buffer (Mixture to be mixed beforehand that includes 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, 1 tablespoon of Dawn, and 1 cup of water).  Mix again with the Lysis
4. Filtration(Separation) takes about 15 minutes to filter through the coffee filter into the cup
5. Precipitation-Add COLD rubbing alcohol to the mixture and the DNA/cells will begin to separate away from the mixture and clump
6. Collection-collect your DNA and store in a test tube!

TRY OTHER FRUITS and let me know how it goes.  You can try any fruit besides citrus fruits.  They are too acidic. Try berries, apples, pears, or peaches.