Semester Ends, Scratch Projects and Labs

As we prepare to wrap up the first semester, lots of projects due and semester exams.

In Computer Programming II, we wrapped up our Scratch projects.  These projects had to be a science simlations that generated data for the user to graph.  Below are pictures of a mitosis simulation and a project on diffusion/osmosis showing some of the coding on the right.  After we return from Christmas break, python programming continues and projects with raspberry pi computers, arduinos and Finch robots.

We had semester tests today in computer programming II, computer programming I (qBASIC) and Selected Topics in Science.  Tomorrow in AP Biology,  we will continue our Excel modeling lab over population genetics (Hardy - Weinberg).  Students model no selection and then generate a project/model of their own to add some student inquiry.  We will have a semester exam in my "A schedule" computer programming I class.  

AP Biology will have a Christmas break assignment over concepts in biotechnology.

Below, my Flex homeroom / Pride Time students celebrated Christmas (with snacks and drinks) and exchanged gifts.  They are all seniors and have been in my homeroom for three years.  Some are starting to fully realize their education at AC-S HS is soon nearing an end.   Friends will drift apart but, new friends will be made.

Excel Models and Python continues ...

AP Biology will be developing an Excel spreadsheet model for a population genetics (using the Hardy-Weinberg) simulation.  After Christmas, we will working in biotechnology ... transformation lab and restriction enzymes / electrophoresis.

Select Topics finished their super structures and tested them last Friday.  This week we will finishing our Jesse Stuart book.  Physics continues after Christmas break ... electricity.

Computer Programming I classes are working on single dimension array problems and sorting ... This week are the Little League Stat program and a program to store, sort and print addresses.  Visual Basic starts after Christmas break.

Computer Programming II groups are presenting Scratch projects this week ... science simulations to be used by science students in our school.  These projects are published on the Scratch website.  We are also working on generating and sorting lists in Python.  After Christmas, we will be working on more advanced Python programs and projects with raspberry pi computers, arduino kits and Finch robots.

My senior Pride group will be exchanging gifts on Thursday during Pride Time.  They have been with me for two and a half years ... a semester to go then the real world!

Hour of Code, Structure Building and Arrays

This week in Computer Programming II, we have been preparing our final projects for presentation on Friday and next week.  These projects are small group science simulations made in Scratch.  We are also working on several python problems that use lists.  Tomorrow we will be participating in the "Hour of Code" project (... we actually code every class period).  We will be trying out several of the twenty hour-long coding projects from code.org in this class and in both my Computer Programming I classes.

In Computer Programming I, we are participating in Hour of Code.  In addition, we have started working on single dimension arrays and sorting with arrays.  Next week,  I will be checking their solutions before heading our for Christmas vacation.



In AP Biology, we have worked on Population Genetics, Evolution and Hardy-Weinberg calculations. Today we took out and hour of our block to do some coding in the "Hour of Code".  It was an eye-opener for some students.  Next week, we continue of study of evolution and natural selection.  We have a lab next week ... the Hardy Weinberg modeling lab using Excel spreadsheets.

In Selected Topics in Science we will finish our structures (34 grams and 8" tall ... using wood glue only) and will crush them on Friday (in the history of this lab we have only had one group hold over 200 pounds).  We are doing a classroom reading of "The Beatinest Boy" by Jesse Stuart this week and next week.

Osmosis/Diffusion Lab, Jesse Stuart and Computer Graphics

In Computer Programming I, we finished our Ol' McDonald Farm scenes ... barn, picket fence, apple tree (one apple falls), sun rises, horizon and one addition animated object.  This is art via computer code using For/Next statements (a little of the code is peaking around the picture in the scene below).  Music could be added for bonus. We peer reviewed each student's work last class period and had alot of fun!  Below, are a couple of examples without animation of course ... we will be working with single dimension arrays and sorting until Christmas.

Final projects in SCRATCH for Computer Programming II are on the horizon before Christmas.  These projects are science oriented and must be programmed so the user can collect data.  Presentation of programs will start next week.  We continue to work on Python ... "lists" this week.

In AP Biology this week, we are doing our Diffusion Osmosis lab (actually five labs in one! ... dialysis tubing, potato cores, and agar cells of different sizes).  We finished today and will work on the write-up on Friday.  Also on Friday is gene regulation for prokaryotes and eukaryotes.  Picts below for this lab.

In Selected Topics in Science, we continue to work on on our Tower Building competition ... testing set for next week.  We are also reading "The Beatinest Boy" by Jesse Stuart ... lots of references to nature, farming and life in the mountains of Kentucky.