This week's lab: making homemade root beer.

Introducing...Senior Projects

Today I'm thrilled to announce the beginning of our work on Senior Projects. Pick a topic you are passionate about... it can stem from a problem right here at GCS or could be global in nature. It could relate to science but it doesn't have to. Use interviews, technology, fundraising, video, presentations, boycotts, campaigns, surveys, etc. to learn, educate others, and address the problem. Document your progress over the next two-three years and during your senior year, you will be given a venue to present or display your culminating project. You should also create a tab in your ePortfolio for this endeavor. Don't forget to use experts around you...GCS, SUNY Cortland, Cornell, Ithaca College, etc.

Some resources to get you started:

www.challengebasedlearning.org
www.tigweb.org
www.common.is/community
www.innocentive.com

...and be sure to check out the girl at the bottom of this site. She sums it up nicely!

Yeast fermentation lab. Which sugars do baker's yeast prefer? Under which conditions do yeasts perform best?

Another great Prezi from some members of 1st period:

Photosynthesis on Prezi

Collaborative Voicethread on Herbs and Spices by members of Food, Land, and You.

Great Voicethread by Michaela!

Photo Synthesis & Cellular Respiration on Prezi

Now THIS is what I'm talking about!

Today we began our projects on the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration and how their cycle fits into the bigger picture of our planet.  I'm really looking forward to see the end product and hopefully some groups decide to proudly display them around the school.

 

Project/Problem-Based Learning
http://www.tigweb.org/
http://www.innocentive.com/
http://www.common.is/

Day 2 of the diffusion across a membrane lab. Last night, the acid in the vinegar dissolved the egg shell revealing the membrane. Today we're submerging the egg in distiller water to see what happens.

Good luck on tomorrow's quiz! Be sure to utilize all of the resources we looked at and made in class!

Cell Voicethreads

Here is a great start to our cell Voicethread project.

Voicethread Login

Period 1 http://voicethread.com/groups/subscribe/47250/4493ea9fe/

Period 3 http://voicethread.com/groups/subscribe/47251/5ace62f3c/

Period 5 http://voicethread.com/groups/subscribe/47252/60b9bc69c/

Resources for Cell Organelle Research:



http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/cells/insideacell/



http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/cell_model.htm



http://biology4kids.com/files/cell_main.html

Today we're testing the effects of the enzyme bromelin in Jello setting. Here, Codey, Chayden, and Brandon set up their experiment.

Fwd: Insectapalooza: The good, the bad, and the bugly coming up!

Insectapalooza: The good, the bad, and the bugly coming up!

Insects – from the good to the bad to the bugly – will be on display at Cornell University during the 8th annual Insectapalooza Insect Fair on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Comstock Hall on the Cornell University campus.  The cost of entry is less than a cup of coffee: $1 per person.

Insectapalooza is an interactive, hands-on experience that features hundreds of live insects, spiders, and other fascinating arthropods.  This year there are many new exhibits and popular favorites like the live Butterfly room, Arthropod Zoo, and Pollination room.  Insectapalooza is fun and educational for children, teens, and adults of all ages.

The annual, one-day insect fair is hosted by the Department of Entomology at Cornell. "The Good, The Bad, and the Bugly" theme reflects the countless ways that insects interact with people and impact our lives — for better or for worse.

I have attached a poster for your use.  We have plenty of parking for cars and buses.

For more information see:  insectapalooza.ento.cornell.edu

We hope to see you there!

Dr. Linda S. Rayor

Department of Entomology

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY 14853

LSR1@cornell.edu

607 255-8406 (O)

607 255-9392 (L)

Rayor Spider Research: www.entomology.cornell.edu\Rayor Scheduling Outreach: www.entomology.cornell.edu\NaturalistOutreach

Filming the 2nd Monster Bug Wars Series now - google to see episodes Remember Insectapalooza on 29 October, 9 to 3pm

Members of Food, Land, and You work up 2 beds for the fall garlic planting in the GCS garden. Winter is fast approaching as we say goodbye to another growing season.

We're currently studying Carbohydrates in class. Here we are testing for the presence of simple sugars by introducing Benedict's Solution to 3 unknown solutions. If there is a color change, we know that a monosaccharide is present.