Science!!

We've been discussing the structure and properties of various molecules in class. Recall that a molecule is a bunch of atoms all stuck together. To better understand these fascinating beasts, we've been modeling them the old-school way: with wooden models. Check out some of the models and their proud creators:

Markie is very proud of her glucose!

Tyler and his perfect molecule!





You just know glucose is cool now...

It's Elemental!

So we're embarking on our study of biochemistry. Here are some links to the nifty periodic tables that we looked at in class:

1. A variety of periodic tables. There's a format for every taste!

2. The Periodic Table of Videos! What could be better than a fantastic, fuzzy-headed British man explaining science to you and blowing things up?

3. A picture of every element. A picture is worth a thousand words...or several protons, at least.

and HEY -- If you find another cool periodic table in your wanderings about the interwebs, post the link in a comment on this post! Share the goodness with your fellow students (and teacher!)

ITLAPD!

It's almost here! This Saturday is International Talk Like A Pirate Day! Even if you don't feel piratical in general, at least let your inner buccaneer out on this day! Though I can't officially recommend pillaging or plundering, renting a shoulder parrot for the day is good, or get an eye patch! Don't try replacing the steering wheel on your car with a big ship's wheel....the police don't like that....not that I would know. Anyway, you can go to www.talklikeapirate.com for tips on how to celebrate, and even purchase books from the founders of ITLAPD! ARRR!!

Mystery!

So we've started talking about what makes up good science and bad science (maybe even ugly science...), and we've been doing some experiments to help us along. Here are some pictures of the Spheres-o-Mystery...can you figure out what's going on when we place them in water?

Welcome Back!

Welcome back everyone! I hope you all had an excellent summer and are enjoying the beginnings of summer. I haven't posted in a while, but I did a lot of work over the summer. I worked in a lab at Cornell University over the summer for six weeks with Mrs. Portnoff, who will be joining us at the end of September. The research that we did focused on how proteins interact with each other. Check out our classroom for a poster detailing the work that we did. Or...check out the version that I've linked to here.

Re-Bops!

So in genetics, we've been talking about how DNA is much like the recipe that controls what your body looks like. More accurately, your DNA encodes a genotype, which determines your phenotype, or what you see. To explore this concept, we took a dip in the Re-Bop gene pool and built our own (delicious) organisms. Don't worry, the energy in them was successfully recycled into the great circle of life -- that is, we at them. Take a look at the variation in the organisms due to different alleles for the same gene!

SCIENCE NIGHT!

Mice in a maze -- Classic stuff!
There were GOATS!
Searching for "blood" with a blacklight at a "crime scene!"
Blood Splatter Analysis!

GOSH it's been a while since I've posted here, but better late than never, I suppose. The illustrious Groton Science Department recently presented our second annual Science Night, and it was a smashing success! Everyone that attended had nothing but glowing remarks about the evening. I'm already looking forward to next year, and bigger and better things! Check out a few of the pictures that we took.
A project about the benefits of hemp!