Spirit Week!!!!

On Monday we observed starfish. Although these spiny creatures are cool on the outside, there is not really much to them on the inside. Today we also had a surprise visitor. We had a cat! His or her surprise visit made me think of "Cat in a Hat". The fishy starfish we were dissecting or maybe it was the squid, attracted this feline friend to science! I liked learning about sea cucumbers because of how they moved. I learned that the starfish eats by ejecting his stomach and secreting enzymes to break down the food. The way the starfish eats made me glad we have mouths and teeth to chew our food. I think I can improve by printing out the notes before class so I can follow along and make notes on the side.

On Tuesday - Well today was 'Wacky Tacky Day". It was cool seeing all the teachers in their wackiest apparel!. The starfish dissection was practically my worst dissection! This bony echinoderm was like cutting through dry cement! Apparently there was some miscommunication from the group of what I should cut and what I shouldn't. That was unfortunate for me because no one wanted to cut the starfish because they didn't want their hands to smell like fish. So there I was like a deer in headlights not knowing what to cut. So they told me to cut it like a donut. Of course I thought the metrephoric plate was the hole and the part with the legs cut off was the donut part. Let's just say my starfish was a little "special". I definitely need to improve on the way I interpret the directions I am given and be sure to ask for clarification when in doubt!

On Wednesday we finished our starfish dissection. This dissection helped me learn how the parts of a starfish work. I enjoyed having a visit from the cat; which is ironic because in Explorations we are doing the play Cats. I think I need to improve on how long I take to do my labs. I think I should try to finish more at home.

On Thursday we reviewed for our test on Friday by playing Pictionary. The practice vocab quiz helped me know what I needed to study. Pictionary was interesting. My table especially...Zane's and James Albert's drawing needed some true interpreting. The different ways we reviewed this week really helped me know what to study better. I need to improve on studying vocab.

On Friday we had our test. I think I did pretty well. I had a fun time at the dance on Friday evening. It was a long hard week but lots of fun!

I watched this starfish dissection on you tube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb1ZDwGwTBs

Friday dance 

 Me and my friends 

Playing pictionary 

starfish

starfish dissection 

Really busy week...I want sleep!

This week I just wanted to sleep but I knew this weekend I couldn't because I had to improve my boomilever design so we can win at state! On Monday in science we observed the grasshopper and learned about arthropods and its body structure. I learned that the grasshopper has two different sets of legs; one for walking and one for jumping.

On Tuesday we dissected a grasshopper. The grasshopper was one of the hardest dissections I have done because the exoskeleton was very hard to cut through. I learned that the rectum stores the poop :-) and does not secrete enzymes.

On Wednesday we reviewed for our quiz on Thursday. The quiz was on arthropods and molluscs. We reviewed by writing the vocab words on white boards. This activity helped me learn the definitions  I did not know well. 

We had our quiz on Thursday and I did well. I was adequately prepared by reading my chapter notes and studying my vocab. On Friday we completed our biodome lab which I had not seen in months, so I was panicking that I had lost it; but in a rush I found it. On Friday I also presented my individual exhibit for National History Day and I am moving on to Regionals.

This week I worked on improving my boomilever design. Without going into too much detail I worked on improving my efficiency by tweaking my original design. I think this new design is a good improvement.

I have attached a link on the ehrlichia tick. I am familiar with this tick because my mom got bit by one and these things creep me out. I think I may have arachnophobia!!

 http://www.columbia-lyme.org/patients/tbd_ehrli-anapla.html

Biodome

science class working outside 

grasshopper dissection 

national history day 

Science Olympiad Week and so much More!!

This week in science was jampacked with hardwork, long days and lots of fun.
On Monday we finished dissecting the worm from the previous week. I learned about the circulatory half of the worm; how the circulatory and the digestive systems work together. On Tuesday we finished our worm dissection labs. From drawing and answering the questions I had a better understanding of the worm's body structure. We had our Chapter  test on Wednesday on cnidarians and worms. I didn't do as well as I would have liked on my test; but I tried my best. On Thursday we got instructions on our field trip planned for Friday to Wonderworks in Myrtle Beach and prepared for Science Olympiad which was on Saturday. Friday was filled with lots of fun at Wonderworks. I really enjoyed the 360 bike, the braingame and 6D theater. The bubbles were also awesome! Then it was time to get some rest for the big long day on Saturday. The day started out early in the morning with lots of surprises, fun, and excitement. Team WAAS was awesome! We had so much fun!!! By the end of the day I had placed second in my boomilever event and was very surprised when I heard my name called for the leadership in science award. I was so happy! The excitement was even more hearing them call WAAS' name to go to State. I am already thinking about ways in which I can improve on my boomilever. I cannot tell you in my blog post exactly how I plan to improve; because that will be giving my winning plan secrets away on this public blog!!!! I am so excited about everything we accomplished this week as a school team!!! It was a fun, hard, awesome week !! I have attached a link from the local newspaper with the number and size of the Science Olympiad competition; which gives even more numbers to show how awesome our team of 18 did, competing in a group of almost 1000 students!!!


http://portcitydaily.com/2014/02/28/close-to-1000-students-to-compete-at-the-wilmington-regional-science-olympiad-at-uncw/








 Team WAAS 2014

 Worm dissection 

Me and my dad/coach 

Wonderworks field trip 

Off to State we go! 

Worms, Slime and More!

This week in science was full of fun and exciting new things! On Monday we looked at a living hydra under the microscope; we did several experiments to see how the hydra would react. I learned that I have to wait a while to take in results of how the hydra reacts, to make sure the answers are accurate.
On Tuesday we observed the planaria under the microscope. We fed them liver and observed how they moved. We continued on Wednesday with the planarians and observed that they moved either towards or away from the magnet. I learned that planarians can either go towards or away from a magnetic force. On Thursday we started our worm dissection. We felt and observed the outer structure of a worm. The worm had hairs on the outside of his body called cilia and was broken up into segments. On Friday we continued with our worm dissection and explored their digestive system. This was my first real dissection. I learned where the hearts were located, the "brain" and the gizzard. I did not know that worms had more than one heart!
We also had a fun time watching Mrs. Giacomelli get slimed by Zane. It was for a good cause and so much fun at the same time. Zane raised money for his problem-solution project in social studies for Afghanistan.
In thinking about ways in which I can improve, I realize that I can improve on the way in which I analyze my lab experiments. For example, in my lab this week working with the planarians; instead of just observing their response to the magnet; I will think more critically about asking more "why" questions during my labs and the different outcomes. Again, this was another awesome week in science.


I read more about earthworms and their organs and why they have five hearts. The link is attached along with this week's pictures in science.
 http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/worm/WormLife.html

liver of cow which was fed to the planaria 

poster for raising money to slime Mrs. Giacomelli 

observing the worm 

dissected worm 

dissecting the worm 

Zane sliming Mrs. Giacomelli 

Valentine's Week

On Monday we started our pickle dissection lab. This lab helped me learned the proper method of doing a dissection. Learning the proper way to do a dissection includes how to remove organs/seeds and making incisions. On Tuesday we started dissecting our pickles. It was difficult removing the small seeds from the flesh. Though it wasn't very exciting dissecting a pickle, this task taught me the proper method of dissecting which I will apply when I am ready to dissect an animal.
Wednesday was another snow day or more like ice day. The freezing rain turned to ice and clung to the tree branches and made them break. A lot of branches broke and fell on power lines. I was without power for the day. On Thursday I took notes on hydra.
On Friday we looked at hydras and sponges under the microscope and celebrated Valentine's Day.
I continued with my hemp and chia seeds germination at home. I am glad that I was able to improve on my growing technique by trying again at home. I have attached pictures of my chia seeds which are growing and doing well since my post last week. I also wanted to learn more about why we dissect frogs in science and not other animals. The link attached has good information on why frogs are used. It was another great week in science at WAAS!








http://mentalfloss.com/article/49855/why-do-students-dissect-frogs

chia seeds germinating 

icy day 

ice covered trees at home 

pickle about to be dissected 

dissecting the pickle 

dissected pickle 

Valentine's Day! 

Flowers and Seeds

On Monday we began examining and labeling flowers for our flower lab. I liked the different smells of flowers and bright vivid colors. The two flowers I drew were Beatrice and Lily. I wonder if they were named after people or people were named after them? I am excited that we are learning about flowers this week. I learned that flowers use pollen to reproduce and respond to sunlight.
On Tuesday we dissected our flowers. It was cool seeing inside a flower. I thought my bean and flower dissection labs went well. I can't believe we are going to dissect frogs! I am so excited!
We worked really hard on our flower dissection lab questions on Wednesday. I thought the questions really helped me study for the test. On Thursday we had our test. I really improved on my study habits for this test and hope to improve even more by reviewing the end of chapter questions like I did the last time. I thought I did well on this test and hope I do well on future tests and quizzes.
On Friday we had lots of fun! Friday was a snow themed day. I enjoyed playing with the faux snow and making the snow flake. I can't wait to see what it looks like on Monday!
I wanted to know more about how plants get their names so I went to this link attached.


http://thebestgardening.com/taxonomy-how-plants-are-named-and-classified/


I also tried germinating hemp and chia seeds at home. The pictures are attached.

 Making snowflakes with borax

dissecting flowers

hemp seeds sprouting

chia seeds sprouting 

Winter Wonderland!

It started out looking like a week full of science and learning. But we ended up only going to school on Monday. The rest of the week I was stuck at home doing homework and running in and out of the snow. On Monday we observed plant roots and leaves under a microscope. We also had to label the parts of the leaf and root. I learned where the xylem, phloem and stomata are on the root and leaf. In the root of a tree trunk, the xylem makes up the rings.    On Tuesday school was closed because of the winter snow warning. The snow really didn't start falling until late Tuesday night. I spent the day doing homework and watched the game show network. When the snow/freezing rain started in the night, we went outside and played and made snow angels.    On Wednesday I woke up to snow all over the ground!! I was so excited! My dad got the sled out and tied a rope to his truck and pulled us around the neighborhood!!! I woke up sick on Thursday and Friday with a head cold and runny nose. I spent much of the day on the couch taking medicine and blowing my nose. I worked on the rest of my homework over the weekend when I felt better. I thought of ways in which I could improve this week and what needed the most improvement was my ability to control my sled. Next time it snows, and I hope it's soon, I will steer the sled better. I was using my arms instead of my legs. That way I will stay out of the drainage pipes when I go sledding down the street!

I wanted to learn more about how snow flakes are formed and the difference between sleet and snow. I have attached two awesome links!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/22/science-snowflakes-shapes-chemistry_n_2338737.html


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pN-rSC0sg0

 sledding behind dad's truck 

more sledding

sledding on my boogie board 

making snow angels 

watching family feud 

corn stem 

bass wood stem  

corn root