EXPLORING BIOTECHNOLOGY/ EXPLORING LIFE SKILLS
Students in this nine-week class will study the world of biotechnology by investigating cells, proteins, and genes using experiments, observations, and their reading, writing, and math skills. They will examine biotech's effect on industries such as agriculture and medicine. Careers in this area will be explored.
Life skills modules emphasize practical skills in which students use reading, writing and math to solve problems and perform hands-on activities.
Students choose five of the thirteen Synergistic modules offered: BIOTECHNOLOGY, PLANTS & POLLINATION, CELL STRUCTURE, MICROBIOLOGY, FORENSIC SCIENCE, FOOD SCIENCE, AQUACULTURE, HORTICULTURE, BAKING & MEASUREMENT, SNACK NUTRITION, MICROWAVE COOKING, PERSONAL FINANCE, and PRACTICAL SKILLS. Students learn how to successfully manage time, use interactive multimedia equipment and software and perform hands-on activities related to the curriculum. They apply reading, writing, and math by solving math problems,graphs and researching answers. They work in each module for seven days.
The Biotechnology module offers students a chance to make a replica of the DNA molecule, complete a gene splicing activity, a DNA extraction, and an enzyme experiment.
In Personal Finance, students learn to calculate a budget and the cost of living, write checks and balance the checkbook.
There are three cooking modules. In Baking and Measurement, students use a convection oven to bake sugar cookies, pigs in the blanket and other quick foods. They also plan a meal using a software program. Snack Nutrition activities include preparing nutritious easy snacks and evaluating food for its nutritional value. The fruit yogurt drink is a favorite. Students in the Microwave Cooking module cook mini pizzas, twice-baked potatoes, and other foods using the microwave oven. Students in all the cooking modules must learn to follow directions carefully, measure correctly, and learn how to use different equipment including the microwave /convection ovens.
In PRACTICAL SKILLS, students measure, use different tools,and read directions to change supply lines, faucet and pipes on a sink. They also put a shelf on a sheetrock wall, experiment with security lights and motion detecters, put a doorknob and deadbolt on a door and put together a small cart.
AQUACULTURE is a module that involves chemical testing of the aquarium and close observations of the fish.
HORTICULTURE activities include many plant-growing experiments using different mediums such as hydroponics. Plants and Pollination is closely related with emphasis on photosynthesis and the plant growing cycle.
Students in FORENSICS solve a crime that has been simulated on the computer. They lift fingerprints, extract DNA, complete a hair analysis, and make close observations.
CELL STRUCTURE offers students a chance to make their own slide of onion cells and complete a naked egg experiment to see how osmosis and diffusion processes are carried out.
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