Science Menu

Based on input during conferences from parents and students, Mondays in science will include choice. The following assignments are from the enrichment and alternative sections of the Holt Science Curriculum. Instructions and handouts are available in class, creative writing descriptions are at the bottom.

Monday-Science Menu (or Tuesday if there is a field trip)

Wednesday-Signals of Spring Aces curriculum

Thursday-Hands on Lab

Science Menu for 11/19-12/19

Please complete a minimum of five of the following assignments. You will have part of Monday?s class time to work on the items of your choice; you may or may not have to complete assignments at home. I will be conferring with you on Mondays, checking your progress and your portfolios. Assignments and portfolios will be due on 12/19/08.

o Lungs of the earth-illustrated presentation
o Comparing solar cell processes-research
o Clothing combos-different traits
o Know the score (calculating your BMR)-skills practice
o Specimen Surprise-critical thinking
o Drawing conclusions from data-investigation and experimentation
o Mitosis flip-book-drawing
o Flower Cross-art
o Completing a Punnet Square-diagramming
o Exploring probability-mathematical
o Meiosis Skit-performance
o The Purpose of Pigment-activity
o Directed Reading B
o Chapter Review-skills worksheet
o A Celluloid Thriller-critical thinking
o Standardized Test Preparation-Worksheet
o Biography of a cell-written and illustrated
o Mitosis and Cancer-Research and report

Biography of a cell
Have students write and illustrate the biography of a cell. It can be humorous or serious, but should include accurate descriptions of how materials are transported into and out of the cell and how cells reproduce.

Mitosis and Cancer
Have students research the role of mitosis in cancer and write a report or create a poster or other visual presentation on what they learn. Student?s report should include information about various cancer treatments, such as radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

Lungs of the Earth
Plants are sometimes called the ?lungs of the earth?. Think about this and prepare an illustrated presentation for the class. Students may want to research the role that rain forests play as Earth?s ?lungs? and explain the contributions rain forests make to the health of the planet.

Comparing Cell Processes
Newer kinds of solar cells simulate photosynthesis more closely than older solar cells do. Just as plant cells us energy from the sun to change water and carbon dioxide into energy rich sugars, these new solar cells use the sun?s energy to convert water into rich hydrogen gas, which can be used as fuel. The byproduct of this process is oxygen. Research these newer solar cells and make a poster showing how they work.