Objective - To study:

• Mechanisms of Heredity
• Seasonal Change
• Design and Conduct Controlled Biological Experiment
• Cell Theory Ideas
• Portfolio of Biological Advances

Recommended lessons

• Mechanisms of Heredity - Identify scientific issue, observe, and research related concepts. Design a study for 2 seasons, and 4 plant or animal species. Develop a time line, objectives, and resources needed to conduct a field study, record data through digital photography, graphing and tables making journal entries of observations. Share with instructor data collected and summaries. Share with audience visual aid poster showing field study results. Students shall identify and research related scientific concepts and design a study to include 2 seasons and at least 4 plant or animal species.  Students will present plan to instructor including; objectives, time line, and resources needed. Students will present findings to 2 different audiences.
   
• Suggested Student Products
• 1. Poster explaining your field studies
• 2. Journal of field study observations done twice a week through two seasons
   
• Seasonal Change -  Using scientific language explains and describes models and/or applications of heredity. Study heredity, record information and understand concepts, theories and principles of heredity Make log entries with at least four of the following strategies:  observations, inference, points of view, summaries of peers ideas, investigative report, field notes, word sketches of events, models or explanations, compare/contrast two or more ideas.  Log must include, DNA structure, the Punnet Square, cell division sequences, crossing-over and protein synthesis. Students must research Human Genome Project on Internet or video. Construct a final entry for learning log, with a two-page abstract of what you consider essential concepts, theories and principles illustrating understand of heredity mechanisms. Using visualization of a living organism and revising or adding new information based on learned mechanisms of heredity.
   
• Suggested Student Products
• A log including daily entries of knowledge gained
• An abstract of key concepts
• Prologue and revision of prologue
   
• Behavior and Interdependence of Organisms - Students shall design and conduct one investigation through problem based study, service learning project or field study and identifying scientific issue with observations and corresponding concepts, analyzing immediate and long-term impacts on individualism, society, or both in areas of technology, economics, and environment. Students will compare results to current models, personal experience and will analyze data to clarify scientific issues or define scientific questions. Students will be provided with a presentation of an aquatic ecosystem with which they will consider the biological process occurring therein and identify three material cycles.  Students will create a food web illustration and generate a chart or graph which shows clearly the predator-prey relationships between two species.
   
• Suggested Student Products
• Written or oral report including food web graphic with info about behavior patters and cycles of individual organisms
• A chart or graph showing the predator-prey relationship over time of two species
• An illustrated discussion of the material cycles within a closed system
   
• Design and Conduct Controlled Biological Experiments - Students will understand that scientific inquires are perform to test ideas and predictions and to learn about the natural world.  Students will use various technologies to influence the quality of data and investigation and explain based on evidence the establish criteria including empirical strategies, with questions and test hypothesis.  Students will formulate questions, design and conduct investigations, record relevant data, analyze data using mathematical methods, construct reasonable explanations to answer questions and support hypothesis, identify alternative interpretations of results and specify implications for further investigation. Students must design, have approved, and conduct an experiment applying the scientific method. A lab write up must be completed, word processed, and turned inform evaluation. The teacher will provide students with the appropriate format.
   
• Suggested Student Products
• Written report and proposal for experiment with graph of scientific data
• Presentation to class or audience
   
• Cell Theory Ideas -  Students will understand how traditions govern the conduct of science, ethics, peer review, and consensus. Students will design, conduct and investigate a question and test hypotheses.  Students will use scientific evidence to defend or refute an idea in a historical or contemporary context by identifying scientific concepts found in evidence, evaluate validity of ideas in relationship to information and analyzing their immediate and long term impact of individual, society or both in areas of technology, economics, and environment. Students will research the cell theory and generate a time line. Referring to the time line, brainstorm with instructor and/or peers to generate  a question that will be defended or refuted. Students will gather information listing pros and cons, present visual and include bibliography.
   
• Suggested Student Products
• A time line of cell theory development including scientists and theories
• A visual presentation of finds in response to question posed
   
• Portfolio of Biological Advances -   At the culmination of the course the students will connect at least five of the advances listed and design a portfolio to present to the instructor. Students will present their findings in a 5-10 minute presentation to the class. Students will create proposal and conduct experiment, individually recording data, analyzing data using mathematical methods, conclude with answers, discussing alternative results and generate suggestions for improvement.
   
• Suggested Student Products
• Electronic portfolio of historical advances in biology