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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.

I need to share a GREAT video lab writeup from the first major lab of the year.  Way to go Cali and Brit!

This school year and next, Groton students will have to opportunity to do something truly unique.  We are building an Earthship permaculture system in Freeville!  This fall we'll be putting the finishing touches on the Earthship barn, which will be vital for livestock, storage, and rainwater collection.  The barn could not have been completed without the help of Mr. Filzen, Mr. Wiech, Mr. Giroux, Mrs. Hume, and Ms. Bassette who stopped in periodically over the summer to help out and lend equipment.  

Today we had a mini workshop to learn how to build with garbage.  Here, seniors, Alex and Quinn work on making bottle bricks for a can wall.  Bottles are cut 4" and duct taped together in various color schemes.

10th graders, Cali and Nick start work on the final wall of the Earthship barn loft.  The nails and lath strips secure the wall to the wood structure.  The barn boasts recycled plastic shingles, locally-cut hemlock boards, old reused windows, and incorporation of over 2,000 aluminum cans and discarded glass bottles.

On their way to 12 pints of Salsa. No carbon was emitted in the transport of the major ingredients. Sweet!

Josh and Daymin set up their initial slug experiment to test whether slugs prefer the sweet taste of melon or the neutral taste of lettuce.

Sam S. takes her scientific observations pretty seriously. So how do slugs taste, Sam?

We have a huge class this year but the members of Food, Land, and You all managed to fit into the GCS garden today. We harvested tomatoes, hot peppers, onions, and a ripe melon.

Slugfest '11

Xavier takes down some detailed observations of the common garden slug.  Next week we'll be designing experiments to test the food preferences of slugs.

Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year.  11% of the 21st century is now over.  That being said, how many of you feel you have a good grasp of 21st century skills like cloud computing, virtual collaboration, or currently maintain a website or blog other than Facebook?  Do you check Twitter feeds or read a book from a Kindle?  What was the last podcast you listened to?  Would you feel comfortable if an employer needed you to use Photoshop, Microsoft Excel or Google Docs on a regular basis?  Do you feel prepared to enter college and a workforce with other young people from Germany, Asia, and India?  How has Groton done so far preparing you for the last 89%?

Last year was the toughest year to date for me, personally and professionally.  After losing teachers like Syracuse, Giroux, Toyama, Varga, etc. - in most cases because the school and Board of Ed. cut them - I have had to reflect deeply about these losses to Groton and about this profession in general and how we need changes in US education. We need changes in public attitude towards education, changes in education law and unions, changes in school leadership and teachers, changes in school-day structure and changes to what politicians think you need to learn in school.  

Every student in Groton should have learned last year that they can no longer take education and their teachers for granted. This was my favorite picture from last year in 7th grade... students staying after school in preparation of acting at a Board of Education meeting.  It is now time to stand up and demand the changes mentioned above because NOTHING will change if you sit back and let the adults around you try to change things for you.  

This year I invite you to "go rogue" with me.  Lets change the school and world together and not worry about what others think of us along the way!

Congratulations GCS class of 2011! This group was my first cohort at Groton. Here is a picture of some of them during a spring Adopt-a-Highway cleanup many years ago.  I look forward to seeing them do wonderful things in their adult lives.

Friday marked the last day of the school year. I really enjoyed working with this year's 7th grade class...my last at Groton Middle School. The good news is that I will see them again in 10th grade and look forward to these students that have blossomed over the past year.

Have a good summer guys and remember to be good role models as 8th graders next year. Keep in touch!

The ecology unit means spending some time in the outdoor classroom. Yesterday we read a section from the book The Last American Man and made observations along the GCS Nature Trail.