Monday, May 5, 2014

Biology: Primates grouping lab Analysis, conclusion and critical thinking questions

Analysis and Conclusion:
How is this similar to the way scientists classify organisms?
Were you answersand classifications different from others in the class?  Why might this be possible?
What characteristics were most useful in classifying primates?
Which characteristics were not particularly useful? why?
Why should you avoid vague terms like tall or short when classifying organisms?
How does classifying organisms help in your understanding of an organism?

Critical Thinking:
Suggest two ways tree could be identified during winter when they have no leaves.
What are some common characteristics you could use to classify birds coming to a feeder?
Why might a microscope be useful to a taxonomist?
Describe at least three ways clothes are classified in a department store.

ALL classes - science current events due by May 20th

You will choose an article or science related video of over 2 pages or 45 minutes on science current event. It will fall into one (or more) of these categories:


· Scientific discovery – for example, scientists find comets may have delivered the water found in earth’s oceans.

· Science-related event – for example, the Japan earthquake/tsunami/nuclear plant meltdown; the launch of a space probe.

· A cultural change/happening that involves science/technology – for example, bicyclists’ clothing that can act as a radar gun to show drivers how fast they’re moving.

· Science in public policy – for example, a bill or law that deals with science (cap on carbon emissions).

The article must be timely, meaning it’s been published within the past one/two months. Finally, technology articles are okay, but I will not accept any product announcements or reviews.


Create a write-up of your current event, summarizing the story and answering key questions. You will include a copy of the story you are citing or the golden page format for the video, movie or program.

Science current events will:

Cite the news source, using the Oceana Golden page format for citations found on the Oceana website. Magazine Article:

Perlman, Jeff. “Sultan of Swat.” Sports Illustrated. 12 February 2001: 54-59.

Newspaper Article:

* Taylor, Michael. “Potholes Scar Roads Across Region.” San Francisco Chronicle. 23 October 2005:

* Give the title of the article, author’s name, and article date within the body of the summary.

* Summarize the event in your own words, using complete sentences. Spelling and grammar count.

* Your summary will answer the following questions:

· Who/what is the subject of the story?

· Where did it happen?

· When did it happen?

· How did it happen?

· Why did the event happen, or why was the event important enough to make the news?

· Why did you choose this article?

· What did you learn from the article, and what are your thoughts about this event/issue?

*CONNECTION AND COMMENT RELATED TO ONE ESSENTIAL QUESTION:

· How does this event affect the world or region where it occurred?

· How does this discovery advance science?

· What does the discovery/event mean for our society?

· What does this discovery/event mean for future work/the environment/humanity/etc.?

· If the story is about a law or policy, how does the policy or law affect science/society?

Below are several acceptable web sites and sources for science news stories. If you wish to use a source not listed below, please check with me first.

Popular Science


New Scientist (News)



Wired Science



New York Times (Science Times)


Discover Magazine



National Geographic (News)



BBC Science/Environment

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment/


NPR - Science News



Boing Boing (Science)



Grist



Good (Environment, Food, Health, Technology, Transportation)


The Guardian (UK) Science



Scientific American (Often written for college level or higher)



Reuters Science
http://www.reuters.com/news/science

Friday, May 2, 2014

Earth science 5/2 + 5

*Finish/Do discovery lab on page 655 using at least 10 different items from the class or your house.

* Read and take Cornell notes for Ch 25 , pgs, 654 - 675 on Resources.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

biology Ch 16.1 & 2 notes

Read pgs. 450 -466 in Biology text and take Cornell notes

Biology 5/1 + 2 Using/Constructing a Key observation and analysis questions

Biology Using/Constructing a Key observation and analysis questions



Observation:
1. As you used the classification key to identify the salamanders, did you go from general to more specific characteristics or from most specific to more general?
2. What two groupings or taxa do the scientific names of salamanders represent?
3. How was your key like or different from other students?
4. If you were using actual wildflowers, what other characteristics could you use to identify them?

Critical thinking/analysis:
1. Do you think there could be closely related species of organism that cannot be identified using a key? Explain your answer.
2. Why do keys use two choices rather than some other number for each step?
3. What problems might there be if Carolus Linnaeus had never developed his binomial naming system?
4. Explain what is meant by, " Classification systems are the inventions of humans; diveristy is the product of evolution."