mindful science

Students,

In this trial phase of seeing if edmodo will be a more useful platform for us, please follow it for your most recent updates.

Students,

The Teen Biotech Challenge has just confirmed several of the winners will be awarded internships with the Center for Regenerative Medicine which is a stem cell research facility in Sacramento.  An internship with CIRM is a ticket to future internships/jobs at your future universities, and plus it looks great on college applications.  TBC is a website building competition and it’s all laid our for you to make a wonderful website.  You just need to put in the time to do the informational research and layout your creative ideas.

I’d be happy to assist any student interested in participating in the TBC!  It’s a great opportunity!

http://teenbiotechchallenge.ucdavis.edu/index.html

Students,

As bio teachers at JFK we are committed to ensuring all our students are meeting our expectations of what a science literate student should have when they leave our school.  We will begin to use common assessments to compare the performance of our students and share teaching techniques that will ensure all our students are receive what they need to meet our expectations of having a proficient knowledge and skill set in the biological sciences.  As AP Biology students you will be at an advantage because you’ve been exposed to this content twice, but I still want to make sure that no one falls through the cracks.  Please follow the instructions below to  sign up for two online services:  Quizstar and Emodo.  In short Quizstar is obviously a online method of taking quizzes which allow you to take the quiz at the time best for you.  Emodo is all the rage at JFK HS right now, and teachers are signing up their classes to make it easier for them to communicate (teacher to student, student to student).  As primarily juniors and seniors I will value your opinion regarding the use and functionality of both Quizstar and Edmodo.

How to register for Quizstar: (* I just increased the class size up to 100.   Everyone should be able to register.)

1. Go to http://quizstar.4teachers.org/indexs.jsp
2. Sign up for a username and password (please also make sure your first and last name are entered)
3. Click to search for a new class
4. Class #1:  Teacher’s Name = Adrienne Fong; click keyword search
5. Select:  AP Biology/Adrienne Fong/4th, 5th, 6th/Public
6. Click on Classes
7. Click on Untaken Quizzes
8. When you’re ready, take the quiz (there are 13 MC questions you have to answer in 15 minutes)
• Please don’t study for this quiz or look up the answers online.  The quiz grade will not affect your class grade, but do take it seriously because the teachers will seriously look at your answers to determine gaps in your knowledge.

How to register for Edmodo:

1. Go to http://www.edmodo.com/?language=en&auto_selected_lang=true&logout=true
2. Sign up as a student.
3. Group Code for AP Bio = ngx9tk
4. You username can be what ever you like, but please use your standard first and last name.  (If I don’t recognize who you are I will freeze your participation.)
5. This will take you directly to OUR edmodo page for all of AP Bio at JFK.
6. Search around and see what the options are for how this site can be used to your benefit
7. For fun answer the pollsl and take the fun quiz
8. Look at the calendar for what’s happening in class.

Students,

Here is the link to the instructions on how to write your photosynthesis lab report.  Please write your report using MS Word or the equivalent in Mac.  The report is due Friday 2/17, and this is one of the mandatory learning objectives (LO 2:  Using evidence to support conclusion.)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TOLEEVVVoJ68S4QxH-mFD9kzM7BYgFocgvZ-6-FPOvI/edit

Students,

This 2nd semester will not have many extra credit possibilities, so you should consider this opportunity.  CSUS Stem Lecture on Underwater Treasures of Costa Rica.  For your extra credit, you’ll have to email me a pic of your self at the lecture, and you’ll have to write an online post summarizing what you learned, what was most interesting to you, and what future research would you want to do on this topic.

http://www.csus.edu/stem/STEM%20Lecture%20Series/Current%20Lecture.html

Have fun!

Students,

Congratulations on your completion of the 1st semester.  Thank  you for working hard this year to ensure your learning experience was the best that it could be.  I’ll be making some changes this new semester upon your recommendation and from reflection about this past semester.  The changes will encourage you to continue to develope your learning skills to the fullest.  I’m looking forward to a great year.

Students,

Here’s the link to the document that contains the 1.7 module information (graphs/data).

Mod 1.7 Data Graphs

Mod_1_7_Student_Data_Presentation:  Has the Data Maps at the End

See It:  Where you go to make your own graphs, plus you can see the specifics about what state is doing what.  (MUST USE FIREFOX)

First look for  the data on the graphs that helps to answer your question, then come to a conclusion about your topic.  Ask me for help if you are having difficulties.  This should be one of your first steps on your project.

 *Finished Projects Need to be EMAILED to me at:

adrienne-fong@scusd.edu

The beauty of scientific knowledge and the public dissemination of that knowledge is that it is subject to review by your peers.  Well, recently a top university research was caught by his peers falsifying data.  There’s nothing more embarrassing than going from world expert to disgraced researcher.  This system of peer review is exactly why science is a rigorous discipline focused on finding the truth as best we can given our limitations.  So those of you that are not convinced evolution has sound scientific evidence, remember that the evidence for evolution has withstood 150 years of peer review.  That’s pretty good for a start.

Here the article on the scientist:  http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/01/12/145117068/uconn-claims-resveratrol-researcher-falsified-work

Students,

We’ve been studying about cancer and statistics these past two weeks, and  you have shared a lot with you regarding your knowledge about skin cancer.  Here’s an extra credit opportunity.  Create a Power Point or Word Doc “10 Fact’s About Cancer,” focusing on a cancer of your choice.  You can turn this in for extra credit up until the end of the 1st semester.  Quality and accuracy of information counts!

See the examples below:

Power Point:  10 Facts about Lung Cancer, by Elora

Word Doc:  10 Facts about Brian Cancer, Sukhpreet

Here’s another chance to jump start your science career!!!!

iCLEM 2012 Biotech Summer Internship

CB Students!

With your worksheet to guide you complete your introduction to skin cancer by following the information on this link:

Skin Cancer Investigation

For those future web designers, scientist, marketing executives, and pharmaceutical representatives, here’s a great challenge for you.

Teen Biotech Challenge

This is a UCD sponsored competition where teens solo or as a team create a biotechnology based website on one of seven themes.   The top competing websites are invited to a award ceremony in May 2012 where you rub elbows with professionals in the biotech community.  This is a great way to show of your passion for science and your creative side.

If you choose to jump on board I’d be happy to be your sponsor.  Please let me know ASAP.  I’ll award you extra credit for quality projects that are completed and submitted to TBC.

I hope everyone is rested from a wonderful holiday, and is ready to start the new year.

Though my holidays started and ended on unfortunate events (funeral and hospital visits) my holidays were actually fairly enjoyable.  Lots of reading for fun, hiking, bird watching, fishing, running, biking, music, TV, movies etc.  I think I need another holiday from my holidays.

The end of the semester is approaching fast, and it’s time to take all that energy you stored up over break and use it carefully.  Organize your time so  you can study equally for all your final exams.  As you know your effort will = your success, so the more you start now the better you’ll do in the long run.

Welcome to 2012!!!

Students,

I’m sorry to report that I will not be will you Friday before break.  I’ve just learned of a tragic accident that took the life of young child who is the son my my partner’s oncologist.  I’ll be attending the funeral Friday.

The cellular biology students will be watching a video and completing a worksheet.

The AP Students will be either taking the exam or completing a cellular respiration/photosynthesis worksheet.

Please email me any questions you have.  Those of you taking the take home exam must follow all requirements.  Do not wait to return to school after break to tell me you didn’t understand the instructions.  I’ll be available by email daily, and will make every effort to return emails daily.  To those of you taking the exam, best of luck to you!!!

Have a safe and happy holiday with your families!!!!

Ms. Fong

Students and Parents,

Click on the instructions below to complete the Take Home Exam Instructions for the Enzyme, Cellular Respiration, Photosynthesis Exam.

The DUE DATE for all work is SUNDAY January 8, 2012 Midnight.  No Late Exams, No Excuses.

AP Biology Unit Exam TAKE HOME Requirements

Concerning the Cell Unit Exam I’ve decided you can choose from the following:

Choice 1:  Take the exam on Friday 12/23/2011.  You’ll be eligible for the regular test correction credit (1pt) unless you work in a group where you’ll be elible for 1/2 credit (1/2 pt).

Choice 2:  Take home exam due on Monday 1/9/2012.  No late exams, no excuses.  To receive your electronic copy of the exam a parent will need to email me.  They will have to agree to proctor you during the exam and adhere to strict time limitations.  You’ll be able to use your study guides/reading guides/textbook on the exam (no electronic textbooks). You’ll need to take a picture of parent + you + exam all in one photo to prove that you maintained academic hosesty, and parent will need to email me that photo.  You will NOT be eligible for test corrections.  You can work in a group of 4 or smaller.

Ms. Fong

AP Students,

I’m trying to decide if the Cell Energy (Enzymes, ATP, Cellular Respiration, Photosynthesis) unit test should be the day before break so you don’t have to worry about it, or if the test should be a take home exam.  Post a response voting on one of the two choices.  If it is a take home I’m going to have parent supervision as a mandatory requirement.  A parent will have to proctor you (and your group if you choose) take the exam, and they will have to sign their names confirming academic integrity.  I’m also considering that you could also use your Study guides on the exam, but if that’s the case I may reduce the points returned for the test corrections.  What do ya’ll think?

Or, I could do both, the last day before break and a take home.  If you want to spend your holidays taking a test then knock yourself out.  Opinions?

Votes:

• Before: 9
• Take Home:  12

Students,

Since you didn’t get to participate in today’s assessment of lab 1, you will need to complete the Lab 1A, B, C Presentation assignment.  It’s due Wednesday 12/7/11.

Students,

Here’s an opportunity to enjoy the latest in genetics research.  Attend this lecture at CSUS on Tuesday December 6th at 6pm, take a picture and email it to me of yourself at the lecture, write an online reflection regarding what you learned, how it’s useful, and how it relates to you.  To find out more information about the lecture click HERE.

For the online post see the CSUS Lecture Post Page.