Week 1

Students learned about the power of observation in science.  As the first week back and the first week of distance learning, it was important to start the week with a few culture-building lessons that included having students take personality tests and finding common ground with their peers through Padlet discussions.  While distance learning, we will use supplemental online materials like cK-12.org (updated content) and EdPuzzle (engaging video lessons).  

Week 2

In week 2 students learned about the characteristics of life.  There are principles that govern what things on Earth are considered living and non-living, and in biology, we examine how both are interconnected to support populations and healthy ecosystems.  Students learned about scientific argument using the Claim, Evidence, Reasoning format, and how to use evidence to support their claims.  

Week 3

Students will learn the basic history of biotechnology and will become familiar with different careers associated with biotechnology.  By the end of the week, students will produce a presentation that will focus on various careers and identify the education requirements, salary, etc. for the selected career.

Week 4

Students will revisit biochemistry this week.  Students will learn about the different types of chemical bonds and how they behave in different environments.  In addition, students will focus on the different molecules that help maintain cell homeostasis - focusing on proteins and chemical reactions.  

Week 5

This week, students will become familiar with amino acid structures and their role in regulating chemical reactions.  Students will learn how various environmental conditions affect an enzyme's reaction rates and learn how to use Google Sheets to create graphs and analyze their data.  

Week 6

Students will learn about the different levels of regulation involved in making proteins.  Students will learn the details that make transcription possible in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Week 7

Students will differentiate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene regulation.  Students will become familiar with the Lac Operon responsible for lactose metabolism in bacteria.

Week 8

Students worked collaboratively to provide each other with peer feedback on assignment 7.3 Protein Synthesis infographic.  On Thursday, students learned how to create their own voiceover using Screencastify.  Resources for all of this were posted under Week 8 Lessons & Resources.  This assessment is Due on Monday Sept.   28th by 6pm.  

Week 9

Students will learn about the different elements and design thinking that is used to engineer DNA plasmids.  Students learned about the annotations used to describe elements in a plasmid in terms of gene regulation and became familiar with the two types of plasmids that will be used to engineer a new recombinant plasmid.  Students will learn the basics of a micropipette by completing a lab simulation on LabXchange.  Tutorials for this simulation have been posted under assignment 9.2.  On Friday, students will learn more about HeLa cells, where they originated from and how they are used today.  

Week 10

Students reviewed the main concepts of micropipettes.  In addition, students learned about the most recent CRISPR Technology by using a lab simulation in LabXchange and learning more about its application in medicine.  

Week 11

Students learned about electrophoresis, the process by which DNA pieces are separated to analyze and diagnose DNA samples.  Students then applied their understanding of electrophoresis to test whether a genetic disorder, PKD, was present in 3 fictitious patient samples.  Electrophoresis is a process that will be used to analyze plasmid products in an effort to transfer them into simulated bacteria cells.  On Friday, students learned about bacterial cell communication from a scientist which described the work of her graduate students.

Week 12

Students ran an electrophoresis simulation on LabXchange and reflected on the details and techniques needed to get accurate results for the samples.  Students also revisited the components of a Plasmid Vector.  Students had an open-notes Quiz on Friday.

Week 13

Students learned about the genetic components of two plasmids and performed a restriction enzyme digest using LabXchange’s simulation program (Amgen Lab 2).  As students completed the detailed lab, they reflected on the details and techniques needed to get DNA fragments with sticky ends.  Students then applied their understanding of viruses and biotechnology during Friday’s online discussion.  

Week 14

Students ran the second simulation on LabXchange - Plasmid Ligation (Amgen Lab 3).  Students used their lab document and Virtual Lab Notebook on LabXchange to reflect on the relationships and differences between both Restriction enzyme digest and ligation and how the success of one lab depends on the other.  

Week 15

Students verified their recombinant plasmid by running the ligated products through a gel.  

The gel separates the DNA fragments based on size.  In addition, students learned more about the college process and next steps.  

Week 16-17

Students will use the rubric provided to create an infographic.  The topics to be included are: plasmid digest, ligation, and electrophoresis confirmation.  The final draft of the infographic will be Dec. 4th, 2020.

Week 18

Students will use a Google Sites to build an online portfolio.

Week 19 (Dec. 14th-19th)

 Finals Week CLICK HERE to view the schedule.