INQUIRY SCIENCEa year long, one (lab) credit, science course

for sophomores at Tahoma High School

begins with

The Scientific Methodthrough the lens of

Microbiology:The study bacteria & viruses

First, you need

aka a TESTABLE questionwhich means it is… measurable

SUPPORTED by

data

CONTRADICTEDNOT SUPPORTED by data

Once you’ve decided on your question, design/carry out

your experimentpaying close attention to its

validity & reliability

Recognizing that the process of scientific investigation is

CIRCULAR(“non-linear “… a never-

ending process!!)

Following in the footsteps ofIgnaz Semmelweis,

But WHY Herr Doktor, must ve vash our handz before

every surgery!????Tahoma Investigation:

Where, on campus, do microbes

THRIVE!?

CHAPTER 1 Major Concepts

MC #1Scientific investigations include... -a testable question -a design that leads to valid and reliable results (conclusions) -observations and measurement -an appropriate way of communicating and defending a scientific argument

MC #2Scientific inquiry is a systematic, nonlinear process that increases our chances of solving certain types of problems

Every branch of science has its “GUT”

GRANDUNIFYING

THEORY

Geology has the Theory of Plate Tectonics

Physics is working on its String Theory

& Chemistry has the Molecular Theory

but Biology has the Grandest GUT of them all…

EVOLUTION

THE THEORY WITH MORE SUPPORTING EVIDENCE THAN ANY OTHER THEORY IN THE HISTORY OF MAN!!!

Chapter 6…

For example, let’s begin with…

The fossil record

STRATIGRAPHY

AND RADIOMETRIC DATING

!!?

OOPS

Then there’s the… Can you tell the human embryo?from the pig?the lizard?or the chicken?Here’s a few hints…Hmmmm…

?But this one has…a 2-chambered (fish) heart, eyes on the SIDE of its head, gill slits (& gills!), a tail, a swim

bladder… it’s a FISH for cryin’ out loud!!!?

Then there’s…

Natural Selection

aNd survival ofThefittest

WhichLeads toVariation among species And

ItStarts AllOveragain

The HMS Beagle and the voyage of

Charles Darwin

Geologic Time & theHistory of Earth

And so much more evidence!!...but that will require additional chapters…

CHAPTER 6 Major Concepts

Evolution explains the diversity of life on earth;

  1)  organisms change across time

  2) natural selection explains how species change (across time)

  3) multiple lines of evidence confirm evolution

  4) physical properties (of the earth) change (across time)

CHAPTER 7: Basic (Mendelian) Genetics Which

color pea is recessive?

Hmmm…offspring INHERIT traits from

their parents

in PREDICTABLE ratios!!!

Ah, yes, the Tahoma HS yeast lab.

Chromosomes

Genes

& Karyotypes

Tongue-RollerNon-Roller

Which is DOMINANT?r

Down’s Syndrome

CHAPTER 7 Major Concepts

  Traits are transmitted from parent to offspring through gametes

Meiosis results in the formation of gametes that contain half the genetic information of other cells

  Cells contain two copies of each chromosome and therefore two copies of each gene

Variations in the traits of different generations are explained by the fact that each individual gets two copies of each gene

Chapter 8The Secret

Of Life

DNA

The code must first be copied…Then translated into a new

language… RNA

PROTEIN

AMINOacids Which is made of…

“the embers that feed the

flame of EVOLUTION”

And finally, the most powerful, most convincing EVIDENCE of biological evolution ever discovered…

DNA sequencing technologies

CHAPTER 8 Major Concepts DNA is found in all living things and carries the genetic code for their characteristics DNA can replicate to pass its genetic information to new cells DNA serves as a template for making proteins Proteins are substances essential to life Mutations in DNA result in changes in proteins that can be advantageous, neutral, or detrimental to individual organisms (and their species) Similarities in DNA (or amino acids) show relatedness of organisms

Chapter 9:

Bioethics

Just because we can,

SHOULD we? And if we

don’t, what’s to stop your

competition?

CLONING

Genetic Discrimination

The Com- mercial- ization of Genes

Genetic Determinism

ally-modifiedOrganisms

(GMOs)

Chapter 11: Carbon on the Move

Upsetting the balance…

Converting sinks to active…

And witness the consequences

CHAPTER 11 Major Concepts

• Some substances with carbon can be analyzed with simple tests• Earth has a fixed amount of carbon; that moves along several main

reservoirs• Carbon transfer involves chemical reactions with changes in atomic

structure and properties of the material• Simple reactions simulate carbon cycling in nature• Some carbon sinks in the past are now sources of fossil fuels

CHAPTER 14: Interactions Among Populations

Like the moose and wolves of…

…and understanding the various relationships among living things

…like “Mutualism”Mind if I park it here for a bit? Be my guest

…and “Parasitism”

…or the classic “Predator/Prey”

It’s all about the Food Web

…and the transfer of

energy from one level to

another.

To the one species at the top of every

pyramid, web, or chain

CH 15: Earth’s CapacityHow our increasing numbersThreaten our very existenceSo we search for solutionsREALISTIC solutions!…like REDUCING your……so, do you face the problem or deny its existence?Do YOU take action to live a SUSTAINABLE life……or do you continue along the path of self-destruction?

L

Finishing the year with the sophomore capstone

project…

The SOS Project

The

Symposiumon

Overpopulationand