Past projects 2
STEM Inquiry
Funded Dec 29, 2016Thank you for your donation. So far in class we have used the natural selection lab. This lab showed which salinity environment brine shrimp eggs hatched the best. The students really enjoyed this lab because they were able to see living things. This applies to the real world and what they might do if they join a science field. Over the summer, I worked with the EPA on Lake Superior. We counted macro-invertebrates to check the water quality of Lake Superior. I explained this to students as they were counting brine shrimp under microscopes.
The lab brought up a few misconceptions students have about adaptations. For instance, the students mentioned that an adaptation is something an organism can develop in its lifetime, but that simply is not the case. Brine shrimp have to be born (have the genes) that make them adapted to certain saline environments. They found that the 1% solution of salt water was best for brine shrimp hatching.
Next we will use the brine shrimp to come up with other environments such as water that is acidic (due to acid rain), or different temperatures, in which to hatch brine shrimp.
We will be using the oxygen and carbon dioxide probes later in the year. Again, the students greatly appreciated being able to hatch live organisms instead of just talking about it. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Wilson
Plant Biology and Genetics
Funded Jul 11, 2014Thank you again for the plant growing cart and the Wisconsin fast plant genetics kit. My AP Biology students have learned about plant cells and their parts. Next we will study types of plants by identifying plants in our school's courtyard.
In order to use the Wisconsin fast plants genetics kit, the students will need to know the life cycle of plants and how they reproduce so we can successfully cross-breed the plants for desired traits. So on the plant growing cart right now we have watched herbs such as basil and parsley grow from seed, and we have watched my snake plant flower. Finally we have measured growth of leaves and stems of a mint plant.
The plant growth cart will be able to be used not only for AP Biology but for all science classes this year and in years to come.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Wilson