000_Introductory+Unit

=This page was last updated on October 16, 2016= =UNIT NAME:=

="The Nature of Science/The Nature of Life"=

[[image:ursuspace/Geisler_R_pipiens_40_X.jpg width="468" height="353"]]
=(Please note that this page is UPDATED on an ongoing basis -- stop in often!) = = UNIT OBJECTIVES: =
 * To describe or explain how scientific information is different from other types we encounter;
 * To describe the essential parts of any scientific experiment (Control Group, Independent and Dependent Variables, etc.);
 * To carefully differentiate between and nonliving systems, describing the activities and chemistry that characterize all known life;
 * To investigate and debate the CONTINUUM that extends between systems that are clearly living and those which are not;
 * To identify and differentiate the parts of a well-written lab report;
 * To list, identify, or explain rules pertaining to safe lab conduct;
 * To investigate and debate the meaning of "ethics in scientific experimentation" as they apply to the biological sciences;
 * To complete a scientific exploration photographing and identifying specific Protista species;
 * To compose a lab report consistent with language and format guidelines.

= KEY DOCUMENTS: = =**Housekeeping/Documents for Parental Signature**=

PRINT TWO (2) copies; RETURN one (1) signed by a parent/guardian
(CRITICAL that you get this signed and return it! Rules for safe lab conduct!)
 * MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND EVERY DETAIL OF THE FRONT OF THIS DOCUMENT.**

[[file:syllabus-expectations.doc|Syllabus/Expectations For The Course]]
(As above) PRINT TWO and RETURN ONE! = = =**TED Talk on How Innovators Communicate to Conquer "Insurmountable odds"**=

**TED Talk:**
[] = = =**Source Material for Chapter Review/Analysis Questions ("Dragonfly Text")**=
 * **Please visit [|Pearsonsuccessnet.com]to view the chapter.**
 * **Remember to "click" on the embedded graphics, because the captions are important -- and they are included in the Chapter Guided Readings!!!**

=**TED Talk and (adapted) NASA Article on Behavior and Chemistry of Life**= > **This Talk discusses the continuum between the biotic and abiotic worlds. It discusses Dr. Hanczyc's attempts in the lab****to create chemical systems with some of the attributes of life.** > **If you wish to have a graphical organizer to help you understand and analyze his talk, click** > ====== > ======
 * ===**TED Talk []**===
 * Article on NASA finding the building blocks of life deep in space (WH and General Bio. Versions)

**1) EMERGENT CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE**
(the class lecture notes which students must fill-in during lecture) AKA "black line masters"

Finished (completed) notes for use with this unit/chapter
(the same notes, complete and as-delivered in class)

**2) SCIENCE AS A WAY OF KNOWING**
(the class lecture notes which students must fill-in during lecture) AKA "black line masters"

Finished (completed) notes for use with this unit/chapter
(the same notes, complete and as-delivered in class)

**[[file:M4V10001.mp4|DEMO: Is this flame ALIVE?]]**


(Read these directions carefully; if you watched the demonstration, you can write the essay!)

**Worksheet: find and explain life's "Emergent Characteristics."**
1) Go to the page listed (online textbook -- paper textbook pages may be different). 2) Describe the photo or graphic (you may have to click on it to open it). 3) Explain which life characteristic the graphic depicts, and how you knew this.

URL for software that converts .SFC (Motic Images proprietary) files to .JPEGs:

(Thank you student Tom Piccari for finding and sending this!)

[]

Here are the lab directions: [[file:ursuspace/Modified yeast lab.doc|Modified yeast lab.doc]]

 * ====READ THEM AT LEAST TWICE before beginning your lab report ====
 * ====Note that all lab reports are due one week and one day after the activity is complete. ====

> ======TEMPLATES FOR WRITING LAB REPORTS: ====== >
 *  Here is an exemplary lab report**:** [[file:ursuspace/Mapping lab (exemplar) 2010-11.doc|Mapping lab (exemplar) 2010-11.doc]]
 * Here is the rubric used to score lab reports: [[file:ursuspace/lab rubric 2010-11 .doc|lab rubric 2010-11 .doc]]
 * ======[[file:ursuspace/Lab_Report_Template (MS Word 10).dotx|Lab_Report_Template (MS Word 10).dotx]] ======
 * ======[[file:ursuspace/Lab_Report_Template (MS Word 97-2003).dot|Lab_Report_Template (MS Word 97-2003).dot]] ======

Lab Directions, pre-lab and post-lab questions
Stay tuned! These will be posted soon!

Guided Readings and Reading Assignments
1.4 is EXTRA CREDIT for all classes!

Test Review Sheets
(Read the designated sections of the GENERAL BIOLOGY chapter; complete these notes on your own!)