Workshop Plans: DNA Extraction

Next month, I'm doing a workshop for a small Catholic school in WV.  I like to promote inquiry-based instruction. One of the workshop topics is DNA Extraction Lab.  Yes, you can follow the directions as written and perform a decent lab.  Why not make it more inquiry-based?  Let's look at the materials: split peas, salt, alcohol, meat tenderizer, and liquid detergent.  (I know from experience it pays to buy the meat tenderizer fresh.)  I instruct my students to do the DNA extraction according to the instructions.  Then, I ask them to try either different alcohols (or concentrations of alcohols), different detergents, or types of salts.  The kids end up repeating the same basic experiment several times.  The results are determined by the amount of DNA produces.  It's important to vary one factor at a time.  Otherwise, how will you know which factor improved or diminished the results?  Be sure to have the kids record their experiments explaining which factor they changed.  Check to see they keep the measures the same.  Use photos to compare the amount of DNA extracted.

Michael's Camp Creativity Update

Okay, my husband, Rob, and I needed another activity for our favorite six year old, Paul.  We don't want summer to be overprogrammed like school.  It helps to have an activity, especially on Friday.  So, we tried Michael's craft camp again.  Paul didn't want to bring a friend, which I think would
make craft camp more fun.  This morning Michael's was packed!  The craft outing was a last minute decision--too late to pay for the class on-line.  Happily, we could pay in person at the check-out.  The activity leader was practically aphasic.  Not that the projects were all that complicated.  But, a little direction would have been nice. There were two choices: skunk or squirrel.  Paul chose the skunk.  What can I say?  He was in a mood and less than enthused.  It didn't help Rob kept describing the squirrel as a rat. I ended up studying the print-out instructions on the leader's desk, particularly for the skunk. The other participants made the class fun.  Two sisters were at the camp with their five children and made the class much more engaging.  What's the verdict?  I believe we need to bring a friend if we go next week for a third class.  It is an outing; but, the projects still feel underwhelming.  If Rob and I are a little desperate for an outing next week, which I think is likely, we'll try one more class next week.  Here are photos of the completed projects.

More tech!

You all know how much I promote technology for science.  Pasco has an older, hand-held device, called GLX, which is frequently available on eBay for around $100.  The GLX is compatible with the Pasport sensors and collects and displays data.  A manual is available, too.  The GLX is pretty intuitive; if you get stuck, hit the house or home button.  Best if all, it's self-contained.  You won't have to struggle with trying to connect your iPad with Bluetooth to another interface device.  Plug in a senior and start collecting data.  It's another affordable option to add a little technology to your curriculum.

Have you heard of Envirothon?

While we're getting ready for fall, let's talk about opportunities.  Is your young teen a naturalist?  Have you heard of Envirothon?  I've had teams compete.  Home-school teens are welcome!  In an ideal world, Envirothon is a club, sponsored by the local conservation district, with regional, state, and national events.  My best team met after school, took on special seminars from experts, and made it to the state competition.  Now is the time to locate the education specialist at the local conservation district to get more information about Envirothon.  Our community has a web site; many do not.  Don't let that deter you.  Call them up and ask about Envirothon.  The Virginia Envirothon website posts dates and times for events and has a decent description. See the trainings listed?  We had different specialists come to our school: macro-invertebrates, forestry, soils, tracks, fire science, watersheds, etc.  Some topics are part of the competition every year.  Each year, there is one special section with a specific theme requiring a presentation.  If you do decide to compete, check Envirothon websites for different states.  You'll want all the resources you can find in order to compete successfully.  If your teen love nature, try it!

Mad Science!

The County Parks and Rec sponsored a Mad Science show.  As a science teacher, I've been curious about the Mad Science franchise for awhile.  My husband, Rob, our favorite six year old, Paul, and his friend, Cassidy, ten, and I went to see Fire and Ice, one of seven programs available.  To get an idea of the price for a show, a birthday party for 15 children is $229.  If your Co-op wanted to book a program, it would pay to call and see about group rates.  The Mad Science presentation was great!  The science was accurate.  The presenter demonstrated a Whoosh bottle, several dry ice experiments, Lycopodium powder, flash paper, and hydrogen gas filled balloons.  The presenter explained sublimation, and that bromothymol blue was an acid indicator.  The presenter was very entertaining and kept her young audience rapt for an hour.  Very impressive.  We paid $5 each to attend the performance in a large group setting.  If your Co-op is planning a week-long science camp, I would consider offering one of their programs for Friday as a finale.

Wildlife Presentation

My husband, Rob, and I are watching our favorite six year old, Paul, this summer.  Like many of you, we're always on the hunt for worthwhile programs.  The library is a summer staple and ours just hosted a program with the local wildlife center.  We arrived early to claim a reading prize and check-out a fresh pile of books. Last summer, I hosted a science camp with a nature theme.  Anyone can reserve wildlife programs.  If your Co-op is planning a workshop, ask in advance several months in advance.  These programs aren't cheap, often $200 for a 45 minute session.  If you live near a Center, you may consider volunteering, especially if your teen is a naturalist.

Let's Get Organized for Fall! LMS! LMS!

Want a tool to get organized this fall?  Try a learning management system. I've used a wide variety of LMS in schools and at Shepherd University, when I adjuncted a Chemistry class.   Khan Academy has one.  Nicenet is a simple learning management system, which is free.  It allows you to post a syllabus, links, and documents, nothing fancy; your resources are all organized in one place.  I've maintained my Nicenet account because the schools where I taught frequently changed LMS from year to year, resulting in the loss of all that documentation.  Google Classrooms is a tremendous free program.  See if your church would be willing to sponsor your Co-op to gain access.  I used Google Classroom one year and it was an intuitive, productive LMS, that made organizing your notes, assignments, and resources into one location.