The Scientific Method

What is the scientific method?
The scientific method is a series of steps used to prove or disprove something. In an experiment scientists want to keep one factor the same every time. This way when they change the other factor, they know the results are a cause of what they changed. Look at the picture below.

Notice the boxes in yellow. A true scientist might go back in the steps and repeat them over and over, especially if their hypothesis is incorrect. The important thing to remember about science is YOU WILL BE WRONG SOMETIMES. Scientists run multiple trials on a single experiment to get accurate data. Get into the habit of thinking like a scientist. Challenge ideas with new questions, do your own research, and experiment on things that interest you!! Click here for more info. Watch this video to help you understand how to think like a scientist. 

Task

1. Design your own experiment. Think of something to do an experiment on (this can be anything you want). You will create a word document, powerpoint, or record yourself doing the experiment. 

2. Using the knowledge you have learned about the scientific method, create a hypothesis, a list of materials, and the procedures needed to carry out this experiment. Remember your procedures need to include maximum detail so someone else who wants to carry out the experiment will be able to do it exactly as you did.  

3. Carry out your experiment, record all of your data and observations. 

4. Analyze your data and determine if your hypothesis was correct or incorrect. Next, state why your hypothesis was correct or incorrect (using your data as evidence) and write a conclusion paragraph on your experiment. 

5. Post your experiment. If you chose to do a word document or powerpoint, you can post it directly in the comment section. If you chose to record yourself, upload your video to YouTube and send me the link in the comment section. Don't forget to attach your hypothesis, background, procedure, materials, data and conclusion if it is not shown in your video. 

Remember you want to do something that interests you. If you like skating, see how many pushes it takes you to get a certain distance or how far can you skate in 30 minutes using your dominant leg and non-dominant leg. Try to keep everything the same only changing one thing. Click here for more experimental ideas. Happy experimenting!! :)

Mendelian Genetics and Punnett Squares

California Standard:

HS-LS3-1:  Ask questions to clarify relationships about the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the instructions for characteristic traits passed from parents to offspring. 

Background:

How many time have you heard this? "Oh you look so much like your mom" or "Wow, you look just like your sister." You can blame all of these obvious and redundant statements on genetics. Genes are instructions for making proteins and that is what makes you look like well..... you! These instructions are made up in your DNA (below). DNA is what makes up your chromosomes (left). 

Every one of us (humans), have 46 chromosomes or 23 pairs. You get half from your mom and half from your dad. Pretty simple right? They are labeled pretty simply as well. Chromosome 1, chromosome 2, chromosome 3 and so forth. This is called a karyotype (below). If you notice, the difference between being a male and female is only at the 23rd chromosome. A female has to "x"s and the male has an "x" and "y". 

Task:

1. Watch this you YouTube clip. Take at least 15 notes and bring them with you to class (this will count as credit). Copy in the chart at 5:17 and copy down at least one example of a punnett square. 

2. Click here. Click on "What is DNA?" and take a tour through the body to see the basics of DNA. Next, return to the molecules and inheritance page and click on "Build a DNA molecule." Remember to use the base paring rules to create a new strand of DNA. 
3. Breed pigeons using this link. Think about how traits are carried from one generation to the next or how some traits skip a generation (Must use Firefox or Safari).
4. Do only the odd numbers on this worksheet. Complete them on a separate sheet of paper or you can print out the worksheet and write straight on it. 

Questions & Assignment

On a separate sheet of paper answer the following questions:

     - What are the base pairing rules (what letters match with each other)?

     - Define the following terms: dominant, recessive, and co-dominant

On the back of the paper answer this and create a punnett square to show evidence:

     - Mom has one dominant allele for the trait widow's peak (Qq). Dad has two recessive alleles for widow's peak (qq). What is the probability that they will have a child with widow's peak? Construct a punnett square to show all of the possibilities. 

Post

Find a picture online that is relevant to DNA or genetics. It can be a picture of baby animals and their parents or a picture of DNA strands. It can be a short video, the creativity here is endless. Once you have found a picture post it on Instagram using the hashtag #MrSBio. Include a few sentences about your picture and explain the biological purpose behind it. Check out my Instagram for examples. Follow me @ mr.schultz7

Extension

There will be a time where we will be able to control the genes that our children will obtain. They have already successfully bred many different species of animals to create them with desired traits, dogs being the most common. Students can create their own dragons by completing this interactive activity (requires Java runtime). 

Course Syllabus

Course Outline:

During this course, students will engage in the studies of living things based on standards that will fulfill graduation and the University of California entrance requirements. Students will gain an in depth knowledge of biology by studying topics built around Cell Biology, Genetics, Ecology, Physiology, and Evolution. Concepts and skills will be reinforced by a strong emphasis on hands-on activities laboratory experiences.

Course Expectations:

This course will encourage positive lifestyle choices that promote a healthy individual, family, community, and life. Students will be expected to attend class regularly and students will not be given any make-up work, quizzes, or tests without proper documentation (i.e. doctor’s note, re-admit). To demonstrate mastery of the California Biology standards, students will be given weekly assessments and exams at the end of each unit.

Topics we will cover:
Scientific Method
Cellular Biology
Genetics
Evolution
Ecology
Anatomy/Physiology 
Cells

Class Rules:
Be on time
Be prepared
Be respectful of your teacher and your classmates
Follow all school rules and policies

Classroom Management:
1st consequence - Verbal warning
2nd consequence - Lunch detention 
3rd consequence - Phone call home
4th consequence - Parent teacher conference
5th consequence - Referral 

There is a zero tolerance cell phone policy in my class. If I see it, I take it. If i have to take it twice in one week, you will be required to give me your phone at the beginning of each period for five days. If i have to take it away again then I will inform your parents/guardians and give it to the administration where they will hold it until after school. There will be times I will ask you to use your phones for research (as an instructional tool), otherwise your phone should stay on vibrate or silent and remain in your pockets, purses or backpacks. 

How to use school loop:
* Set up user name and password (if you forgot password I can reset it for you)
* Sign in to check grades, calendar, and use resources in the class folder 
* There is a folder for each unit of the class. These folders are extremely beneficial for you so use them!!! 
* E-mail me questions/concerns via loopmail (parents can also e-mail on this)
* You will be required to prove to me that you know your password and can sign on to your school loop. 
* There is an app for that!!! Use the school loop app to always stay up to date with things that are happening in class (due dates, materials, resources, etc.)

Paramount home page; click login to access school loop

Tutorial period is for students to have an extra 25 minutes once a week for each class to either catch up on missing work or to improver their current grade. Every teacher has a different tutorial policy. My tutorial policy is that everyone will stay in. I will give you an assignment (usually a short one) to complete. When you are done with the assignment you will be free to leave. The idea behind this is that everyone will have the opportunity to improve his or her grade (yes, even if you have an A, you will thank me later). 

Bell Schedules
Tutorial Calendar

What you need for this class:
Two composition books (1 for each semester, no 3-ring or spiral)
Pencils and pens
Colored pencils/markers
Scissors
Glue stick
Highlighter

Grade calculation and weighting:
All grades will be based on a variety of in-class assignments, quizzes, tests, homework, participation, and reports. Grades are decided using the following weighted point system. 

Assignments:                             Weighting:
Tests and quizzes                        20%
Classwork                                   35%
Projects                                       10%
Labs                                            20%
Final                                            15%

Welcome to Mr. Schultz's Bio Class

About Me:

My name is Mr. Schultz. I am currently 26 years of age and a teacher of Biology at Paramount High School. I graduated from Lakewood High School in 2007. I also played baseball for the Lancers where we won the CIF southern section championship in 2006. After high school, I attended Long Beach City College to continue my education and baseball career. In 2009, I transferred to Chico State, which is in northern California. Chico is a small college based community with lots of outdoor activities to do on your free time. As a member of the baseball team I was able to travel a lot and stayed very busy being a collegiate athlete. I graduated from Chico State in 2012 and returned back to California to begin my teaching credential. In 2014, I was hired by Paramount and successfully completed my first year of teaching. I enjoy being a Pirate, and I am also an assistant coach on the varsity team. I enjoy going to sporting events, concerts, doing anything outdoors (hiking, exercising, beach etc.) and I absolutely love to travel. Some of the places I have visited are Costa Rica, Turks/Caicos, Jamaica, Mexico, Haiti, New York, Boston, Miami, and a few other states in the United States. There are a lot of places in the world and I believe that if you are in a position to go see some of them you should take advantage of it. It helps bring your world into perspective when you go to other places and see how other people live. As a biology teacher, I also use these travels to do research on biological concepts such as ecology and evolution. Everywhere you go there is biology around you that is why I love this subject. Seeing how different animals and plants vary from place to place is truly fascinating. I hope this have given you some information about me, feel free to post information about yourself or even comments/questions you have for me below. Thanks for taking the time to read my profile and I hope your excited for a fun year of learning! 

My Summer Job

 

Fenway Stadium in Boston

Last Day of School

The homie Lester and I in Jamaica