"Find My Baby" and Mission Impossible

In Genetics today, we finished most of our miotsis/meiosis lab using onion root tips and whitefish blastula.  This lab includes stages of both mitosis and meiosis, crossing-over and Mendel's laws.  We will finish this lab tomorrow and go over our first test during class tomorrow.

Our Selected Topics class worked on genetics vocabulary, dihybrid crosses and our case study of the day ... Find my Baby. Tomorrow we will wrap up the book we are reading and our final case study ... Who's My Daddy.  Lots of dominant and recessive traits, as well as, X-linked and multiple alleles.

We started checking our final Karel problems today in computer programming ... our Carpet Problem and Mission Impossible.  Tomorrow, we will have a short quiz on Karel.  We will begin on Microsoft qBASIC next week when we return from Labor Day weekend.

Test day ... on to genetics.

We had our first tests in Genetics and Selected Topics in Science today.  I try to minimize testing and maximize lab activities.  Students in both classes worked hard and I hope did well. 

Genetics is moving on to Chapter 2 in the Ricki Lewis book.  This chapter has several case studies in cases that involve biochemistry ... Maple Syrup Urine Disease, Lesch-Nylan syndrome and more.
http://www.msud-support.org/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001411/

http://www.lesch-nyhan.org/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002620/

 We will also be studying mitosis in more depth, including the checkpoints that control mitosis.  We will have our mitosis lab later in the week.


answers.tutorvista.com

Tomorrow, Selected Topics in Science is working on Mendelian genetics. Dominant/Recessive traits, X-linked conditions/disease name multiple allele problems.  We will be in genetics the rest of the week with several forensic problems to work through in small groups ... the Citibank Robbery problem, Who's my Daddy? and Find My Baby!

We are struggling to finish the Karel problems.  They are very difficult ... one solution to the skyscraper problem is below ... some good logic training!  Lots of nexted if-then statements makes it difficult!

beginning-of-program

  

   define-new-instruction turnright as

   begin

      turnleft;

      turnleft;

      turnleft;

   end;

  

   define-new-instruction up as

   begin

      iterate 8 times

      begin

         if front-is-clear then

         begin

            move;

         end;

      end;

   end;

  

   define-new-instruction skycheck as

   begin

      if front-is-blocked then

      begin

         if right-is-blocked then

         begin

            if left-is-blocked then

            begin

               putbeeper;

               turnleft;

               turnleft;

               move;

            end;          

         end;

      end

      else

      begin

         turnleft;

         turnleft;

      end;

      

      iterate 7 times

      begin

         if right-is-blocked then

         begin

            if left-is-blocked then

            begin

               if front-is-clear then

               begin

                  putbeeper;

                  move;

               end;

            end;

         end;

      end;

     

      iterate 8 times

      begin

         if front-is-clear then

         begin

            move;

         end;

      end;

     

   end;

  

  

  

   define-new-instruction nextskyscraper as

   begin

      turnleft;

      move;

      turnleft;

   end;

  

  

  

   beginning-of-execution

      turnleft;

      iterate 8 times

      begin

         up;

         skycheck;

         nextskyscraper;

      end;    

     

      turnoff;

   end-of-execution

end-of-program

Test Time tomorrow and combining hives!

In Genetics first block, we went through the computers in the portable iBook lab to check the Logal simulation software we will use after Labor day.  We also went over some of the vocabulary and topics in Chapter 1 of our Rick Lewis, Human Genetics book.  First test over review material will be tomorrow.  We are trying to get to our mitosis lab by Friday.  Chapter 2 tomorrow after our test.

In selected topics we started our study of genetics.  Today was mostly dominant and recessive traits... a review of Punnett Squares. We will review a little before our first test tomorrow.

We worked on the Skyscraper problem in computer programming today.  A slow go on this difficult problem but, a couple of students have it solved and programmed already.

When I got home, I combined a weak hive I think is without a queen with a stronger hive by placing it on top with a double screened spacer between them.  I will give the top supers a few days and hope the queens pheromones from below will take care of any problems.  I also moved another hive and put on a new bottom board.

pristinevalleyfarms.com

Borrowed a cultipacker from a neighbor to run over our turnip patches.  I wanted to put it down tighter in case of a big rain from TS Isaac ... didn't want it to wash away to Long Creek.

Turnip patch planted and Wildflower Pictures!

This week we have our first tests in Genetics and Selected Topics ... on Tuesday.  We took practice tests on Friday and will review again tomorrow.  The Great Plant Growing Contest continues in Selected Topics.

We are on our final two problems in Karel and should wrap them up by Thursday in Computer programming ... small Karel test on Friday.

This weekend we had Hannah, John and Claire in for Friday night.  Hannah left for graduate school at the University of Michigan on Saturday.  I spent most of the weekend planting our "Uncle Burl's Turnip Patch" ... about a half an acre.  With the turnip seed (Seven Top and Purple Top), I added two types of mustard and some creasy (upland cress) seed.  Will have to wait on a rain now.

While planting, I had to move some equipment around and took some pictures of late summer wild flowers that are coming into bloom.  Pictures below ...

Wild Ageratum is blooming this week ... a great closeup of the blooms!


Conoclinium (Eupatorium) coelestinum
Wild Ageratum, Mistflower

Carolina Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) is not a true nettle, but a member of the Solanaceae, or nightshade family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant.  (Wikipedia) ...  Horsenettle has been blooming for about two weeks!  

I like the thistle bloom and the bud ... appears a fibonacci number pattern on the bud ???

And finally several species of golden rod are blooming.  On little patch near where I was planting turnips was full of Ailanthus Webworm moth, Atteva aurea (prefers Tree of Heaven for larva).  I you look closely below at the goldenrod ... there are over a hundred moths on it.  Closeup of the moth is last picture.

Spec Lab, Microscopes and Karel

In Genetics this morning, we had a lab to learn how to use our spectrophotometers.  We had 8 solutions with different amounts of methylene blue.  Students had to put them in order from lowest concentration to highest using the specs.  We started reviewing for our first test which we will continue tomorrow.  Tomorrow's class will be shortened because of homeroom.

In Selected Topics, we finished our microscope lab and our planaria lab ... handing in logs and lab reports.  We looked at onion root tips and counted the number of cells in each phase of mitosis.  We related cell division to cancers and repair/growth.  Tomorrow, we will start review for our first test.  Picts below are from Selected Topics ...

In Computer Science we started checking our first advanced problems and will finish tomorrow.  Next week we have two tough problems ... SkyScraper and Mission Impossible.  After that, it is off to Microsoft qBASIC.

Took a walk to Long Creek and back to Holland after school with Hannah.  Goldenrod, wingstem, jewelweed and ironweed are all blooming.  The first planting of buckwheat is still blooming and the second crop that is mixed with sunflowers and austrian winter peas are about six inches tall.

Spec Mini-Lab tomorrow

In Genetics tomorrow we will doing a Spectrophotometer Lab.  In addition to this, we will be reviewing for our test on Monday.

In Selected Topics we went on a short tour with our song, DNA Baby.  We worked on a microscope lab and will finish it tomorrow.

In Computer Programming, we will continue to work on our advanced Karel problems ... most students are on or have finished, Karel Can Add.  We will check these starting on Thursday.

Will take some picts of our labs tomorrow and post them.

We had a PD after school today, 3-5.

Late night getting home ... we went to Bowling Green to celebrate our son's 26th birthday.  That does not seem possible!

rr

Osmosis, mitosis, meiosis and Karel

In our Genetics and Biotechnology class today, we did a mini review lab on osmosis using dialysis tubing.  We made three different molar solutions of sucrose then graphed the data to determine the osmotic equivalency of an unknown sugar solution (a fruit juice Snapple).  We only had a half a block to work since most of our class attended the junior class officer elections and election of the junior superlatives.  We will finish this lab tomorrow and review respiration and photosynthesis.

In Selected Topics in Science, we graphed the data generated from the Genetics class and did a review of mitosis and meiosis.  We prepped up our microscope lab for tomorrow (onion root cell analysis, alga cultures and plant tissue and seeds).  Tomorrow, we are going on tour and singing our DNA Baby song in addition to completing our lab.

In Computer Science, we continued on our first four advanced problems in Karel programming ... Cliffclimber, Hurdles, the Landmine problem and Karel Can Add.  We are making good progress and should wrap up Karel and logic training by Labor Day weekend.

After school, I moved some frames of brood from a good hive to one in which I am afraid the queen has been lost.

rr

Monday ... back to work!

In Genetics today, we finished our review of cell science today.  The Planarian regeneration lab continues until Friday.  Tomorrow, we will doing a mini diffusion lab using dialysis tubing.

In Selected Topics in Science ... today, we continues our Great Plant Growing Contest.  We finished our review of respiration and photosynthesis and began a book that we are are reading in class ... The Man that Planted Trees by Jean Giono.  A short story about trees and their importance in ecosystems and economies.

,
Finally in Computer Programming, we started our advance problems in Karel after we had a discussion of decision statements and college choices.

Bucks in the buckwheat ...

Busy weekend here on the farm ... this PM getting ready for school tomorrow.  This morning before church were five bucks in the field of buckwheat behind our house.  Pictured below are four and the fifth was just out of the picture to the left.

DNA Extraction and Grand Prix Championship!

In Genetics today, we conducted our Food Lion DNA Extraction Lab (everything you need to extract DNA with supplies from our Food Lion).  This was an OYO lab in which you develop your own protocol from several examples.  We extracted DNA from onions, bananas, strawberries, liver and split peas.  Winners below were Hayden and Cameron (from split peas) ... we will have about 20 labs during the course of the semester.

Raya, Su Jung and Olivia came in second place with the extraction protocols but, had great results!

In Selected Topics in Science today we checked our planaria, started our Great Plant Growing Contest and worked on Photosynthesis and Respiration (aerobic and anaerobic / lactic acid and alcohol fermentation).

Finally, in Introduction to Computer Science, we have our Grand Prix Tournament ... a lot of coding but not much thinking on these first programs.  Our champion and trophy winner was Logan while Dustin was the runner-up ... both did a great job. Most of the class is pictured below ... they did some great work.  Next week on to some more advanced problems.  We will be in Karel programming to about Labor Day, learning logic and program design.  Hope you all have a great and safe weekend!

Wildflower picts and Cell Science

Genetics - In Genetics today, we worked on some actual AP Exam questions on biochemistry, DNA and Translation of mRNA to proteins.  We started our review of cell biology ... prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes and organelles.  Tomorrow is our DNA Extraction Lab.

In Selected Topics in Science, The Great Plant Growing Contest starts tomorrow and we prepped this contest today.  We also did some cell science review.

A few students in Computer Programming showed me their Karel Cliffclimber solutions ... using if-then statements. Everyone else will show me their solutions on Monday. Tomorrow is our Grand Prix tournament ... trophy time!

Several ailanthus webworm moths were on the goldenrod today ... they are pest to Trees of Heaven (an invasive, so that is good!    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ailanthus_webworm

Lots of honeysuckle blooming now!

My favorite flower blooming now is the passionflower or also called maypop.  We have an abundance of this vine on our farm.

After going to grocery, I had time for a long walk to Long Creek and back up to downtown Holland before returning home.  Lots of deer.  Several fall wildflowers are in bloom.  Some picts above.

Molecules of importance - Modeling Lab

Genetics - In genetics today, we continued to work on Replication-Transcription-Translation.  We looked at a few DNA sequences with different mutations as compared to the original and how those mutations would change the protein (amino acid sequence).  Our DNA extraction lab is Friday and we started to prep this lab today.

Selected Topics in Science did a modeling lab today ... modeling molecules (urea, glucose, glycine and six more) using marshmallows and toothpicks.  Sounds like ghetto biology but we do not have modeling equipment for a class of 30 ... you do what you have to do!  Tomorrow we start on photosynthesis and respiration.  The Great Plant Growing Contest starts on Friday.  Our regeneration continues ... most groups have both halves of their planarian still alive.  We changed water today.

Introduction to Computer Programming is preparing for the Grand Prix competition on Friday.  Several students started to work on their advanced problems using decision statements.  We are making good progress so far.

After school I went to the Clinic to get a bus driver's physical.  I am not coaching this year but, may drive the bus on a science trip if we put one together.  When I got home, I ripped up our Uncle Burl's turnip patch ... we will plant it around Labor Day.

Crick's Central Dogma and a walk ...

In Genetics today, we finished our review of biochemistry and reviewed Crick's Central Dogma (Replication, Transcription and Translation) with examples of how mutation can lead to genetic diseases.  Tomorrow we will review Photosynthesis and Respiration.  We have a lab on Friday ... DNA extraction using supplies from Food Lion.

In Selected Topics in Science, we did a study of food labels from our candy / Biochem Poker.  We also prepped our modeling lab for molecules of importance which we will do tomorrow.  Student drew out the 2-D representations of several molecules (shown below). We finished our class today with a couple of reading from Current Science.  The planarian continues ...

Computer Programming students are wrapping up their Grand Prix problem ... we will have a tournament on Friday to compare solutions (working on Karel programs below).  We also worked on decision statements  (IF-THEN and IF-THEN-ELSE)  today in preparation of our Advanced problems.

After school,  I checked some of our weaker beehives ... I lost one hive after I replaced queens last month.  Most of the hives are very strong.  Hannah and I took a walk down to Long Creek at sundown.  I took some pictures of our Buckwheat in full bloom (white flowers below).  Several wildflowers including wingstem (below, yellow), ironweed, jewelweed and passionflower are blooming.

First week of school ... Karel the Robot!

We finished the first week of school.  Our high school building is still under construction but, somehow our custodians and administration were able to get enough rooms together to start school.  Actually, everything went well.

In Genetics, we have started with our regeneration lab of planaria.  We spent some time backgrounding the problems with regeneration ... also, visited some of the websites of various labs around the world that work with this model organism.  This lab will continue for two weeks while the planaria regenerate their heads/eyes/brain.  We are also reviewing some big concepts from freshman biology starting with biochemistry.  One Monday, we will play Biochem Poker for review and then start reviewing replication-transcription-translation.

My Selected Topics in Science class third block has the maximum students in it and is a collaborative class ...  This class samples five areas of science over the semester.  biology, chemistry astronomy, earth science and physics. It is mostly citizenship science, that is, science students can use in their life after school.  We are presently in biology and will move on to earth science in 3-4 weeks,

Introduction to Computer Science has started with Karel the Robot.  A programming primer for learning logic and program structure.  We have completed the first four very easy problems this week and will be moving on to decision statement next week ... if-then and if-then-else.

This weekend I am planting some more late buckwheat and helping our daughter look for a car before she moves to Ann Arbor, MI.

A good first week of school.

Karel is an educational programming language for beginners, created by Richard E. Pattis in his book Karel The Robot: A Gentle Introduction to the Art of Programming. Pattis used the language in his courses at Stanford University, California. The language is named after Karel Čapek, a Czech writer who introduced the word robot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karel_(programming_language)

First Day of School 2012 and Buckwheat ...

Today was the first day of school 2012.  Senior parade before school went off without any accidents!  We were in homeroom (lots of forms and lockers) for first block the all the morning classes were shortened before lunch. Third block was extended and fourth block was shortened ... we let out early to aid in the primary school's effort to get everyone on the correct bus.

I am teaching Genetics, Selected Topics in Science (mostly juniors) and Computer Programming this fall.  AP Biology (2 classes) in the Spring with another Selected Topics Class.  We did a lot of house cleaning today and will start up with a lab tomorrow.

Below is my new home room, sophomores.  Appears to be a great group!

My buckwheat fields are blooming.  I planted them about a month ago and each morning the honeybees cover the fields.  Buckwheat (a broadleaf/dicot, not a grass) is a great cover crop ... smothers the weeds and helps build the soil.  It grows well without fertilizer and in acidic soils.  Our bees will be using it to put in honey for the winter!

School starts Tuesday! ... a viking ship!

Some parting items from our trip to Fargo and the NHSACA convention.

We picked up our daughter Hannah in Minneapolis from San Francisco before arriving in Fargo.  We had time for some tourist activities ... we went to at Fargo-Moorland Redhawks baseball game vs. the Souix Falls Pheasants ... a spirited game (maybe because of the large volume of fermented beverage) with a sell out crowd of 4000.  Also, a boat trip up the Red River (the Red River of the north that flows to Winnipeg ... see below.  We went to Hyemkomst Center ... a replica of a viking dragon ship built from scratch (cut down the trees) by Robert Asp, a middle school teacher and later guidance counselor and sailed to Norway by members of his family ... a great story!

http://www.hcscconline.org/secondarypages/hjemkomstship.html
http://www.hjemkomstcenter.com/

We went to an old theater for a movie, saw and took picts of the chipper from the movie Fargo, knoephla soup at Kroll's Diner (www.sitdownandeat.com/), and more.

On our way home, we stopped by our oldest daughter and her husband's house for the weekend in Champaign, IL. Lots of watching the Olympics, saw the new Batman movie, good food ...  and a walk on the restored prairie (compass plant flowers below).  Then, on home to get ready for school.

 

For those interested in the Red River and Lake Agassiz ...
(The Red River flows across the flat lakebed of the ancient glacial Lake Agassiz, an enormous glacial lake created at the end of the Wisconsin glaciation from meltwaters of the Laurentide ice sheet. As this continental glacier decayed, its meltwaters formed the lake, and over thousands of years sediments precipitated to the bottom of the lakebed. These lacustrine soils are the parent soils of today's Red River Valley. The river itself is very young; it began only after Lake Agassiz drained, about 9,500 years ago. Wikipedia)