Virtual dissections October 14, 2009
Posted by emcool in Life Science, Optics.add a comment
It’s a useful learning activity to dissect animals in biology classes…for some students. I believe that a hands-on dissection can create a meaningful learning experience by encouraging students to explore, ask questions, and experience biology (guts and all) in that hand of the student. However, consideration should be given to students who are not comfortable dissecting animals due to cultural, religious, or ethical reasons. The BC curriculum does not specifically require dissection, and it is up to the teacher what activities they would like to include in their classroom. For students who wish to opt out of dissection, here are a few virtual dissection sites that may be substituted.
Animals, Ethics, and Education – Features a bank of free dissection alternatives by grade level, animal, and type of alternative
Cow’s Eye Dissection – A great site through Exploratorium that is kid-friendly and useful for grade 8
Frog Guts – Requires subscription for virtual dissection CD ROMs of frog, squid, starfish, fetal pig, owl pellets, cow eye, peas, and flies. (I remember when this was free…)
(This post was inspired by an article in the Janet Steffenhagen’s “Report Card” blog featured in the Vancouver Sun.)
Ban dihydrogen monoxide! October 8, 2009
Posted by emcool in Atoms, Elements, & Compounds, Chemistry.add a comment
As his science fair project entitled “How gullible are we?”, Idaho student Nathan Zohner circulated a petition to ban dihydrogen monoxide (H2O). In his article, he claimed that this “odorless, colourless, tasteless substance kills thousands every year.” This would be a great article to share with a Science 10 class learning how to name covalent compounds. See if they fall for the spoof!
A possible follow-up activity may be asking students to make similar “claims” against an element or create a wanted poster with properties of familiar elements or compounds.
Ban DHMO spoof
Four legs versus six October 4, 2009
Posted by emcool in Ecosystems (Biomes), Life Science.add a comment
In the “Collected Wisdom” column of the Globe & Mail, Philip Jackman takes on Galileo’s cube-square law with the question of who would outrun who: the cheetah or the cockroach? This is a fun article to give to a Bio 11 class to discuss adaptations or arthropods versus mammals.
Click here for the full article.
One way to explain the atom October 2, 2009
Posted by emcool in Atoms, Elements, & Compounds, Chemistry.add a comment
On the 1970s TV show, “WKRP in Cincinnati”, the DJ character Venus explains the atom to a big high school student named Arnold who plans to drop out of school. In 2 minutes, he gives Arnold the basics of the atom in his own lingo. (A great clip to show junior science kids when they start the chemistry unit, or for comic relief to senior chemistry classes!)
Click here to see a transcipt of the segment.
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