IB Biology Scientific Accomplishments 2011 – 2012
at 3:13 pm on Thursday, 31 May 2012
Diploma Level:
*Samantha Rafalowski won the Richmond Joint Engineers Council (RJEC) Essay Contest and was presented her award at the Jefferson Hotel. Through this experience she met a professor with the VCU Engineering program who is a Princeton Engineering Alumni. He has taken Sam under his wings and is mentoring her.
* Anika Anjum and Azeb Yirga won first place with their project entitled The Effect of the Type of Rock on the Flow Rate of Water at the Metro Richmond Science Fair. Then they took their project to the state fair and won second place.
* . Samantha Raflowski and Kern Sharma won second place with their project entitled The Effect of Airfoil Shape on Lift Height, they were also encouraged to apply for an internship at NASA by a Virginia Academy of Science (senior) member who works for NASA. Anika Anjum and Azeb Yirga won honorable mention with their project entitled The Effect of the Type of Rock on the Flow Rate of Water. Sathya Areti won honorable mention with her project entitled The Effect of Algae’s Habitat on the Oil Extraction Ability. Sathya was also elected to be a Regional Director on the VJAS committee. Rohan Tomer and Rudraksh Roy were extended the opportunity to have their paper, The Effect of Fibonacci Ratios on Facial Proportions, published. Pictures and a video are in the staff share folder.
Middle Years Program:
*The MYP students read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and competed a year long lesson. Some of the pictures and artifacts are in the staff share folder.
Articles:
Massey Cancer Center: http://blog.vcu.edu/massey_news/2011/12/massey-brings-lesson-plans-to-life.html
Math and Science Innovation Center:
MSiC Collaborates with Henrico High Students on a Lesson Makeover
*This article has not been published yet.
A common thread in science and in education is collaboration. Earlier this spring, Vonita Giddings, an IB Biology Teacher at Henrico High School, contacted educators Steve Oden and Aron Fristoe at the MathScience Innovation Center for ideas on incorporating data logging into a biology lesson. Data logging devices, also known as “probeware,” are used for gathering scientific data over time and utilize technology that allow students to collect specific, real time data.
Mr. Oden, a Biology and Environmental Science Educator, has been teaching a lesson called “Light Harvesting by Plant Pigments” that teaches students about the role of pigments in photosynthesis. After a few years of teaching the lesson, Mr. Oden felt that it was in need of an update. Mr. Fristoe, a Chemistry and Physical Science Educator, developed a new lesson this year titled “The Color of Quantum,” in which students measure wavelengths of light. One of the data logging devices that Mr. Fristoe used in the development of his lesson is a spectrophotometer. Among the many uses of a spectrophotometer is its ability to measure the wavelengths of light absorbed by a solution. Working together, Mr. Oden and Mr. Fristoe developed a makeover of the “Light Harvesting” lesson that incorporated the use of the spectrophotometer. In the updated lesson, students prepare extracts of plant pigments from various leaves and use the spectrophotometer to measure the wavelengths of light absorbed by the plant pigments. The students compare and contrast various leaves based upon absorption graphs produced by the spectrophotometer.
“The students enjoyed using the technology and performing a hands-on investigation,” reported Mrs. Giddings. In addition, the students responded that the lesson helped them understand the role of chlorophyll in absorbing sunlight for photosynthesis. Many students said that extracting the pigments from leaves and using the spectrophotometer to construct light absorption graphs furthered their understanding about photosynthesis and clarified some prior knowledge about plant pigments and photosynthesis.
“We discovered there were additional pigments other than chlorophyll,” said one student. “I’d like to learn more about the other pigments and what they do on a cellular level.”
Thanks to the students at Henrico High School, Mr. Oden was able to conduct his own experiment on how receptive the students would be to the makeover of the “Plant Pigments” lesson. His conclusion is that incorporating the spectrophotometer technology has greatly enhanced the lesson and more clearly addresses what the students need to understand about plant pigments, light and photosynthesis. The updated version of “Light Harvesting by Plant Pigments” will be available to MSiC member schools in the fall of 2012.
IB Exams Are Done!
at 2:21 pm on Thursday, 24 May 2012
Great Summer Opportunity!
at 10:59 am on Friday, 4 May 2012
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Attention rising 9-12 graders! There is a week-long residential program at HU with a wide range of activities. I am a camp counselor for this program. This world-class summer camp is ONLY $450. That is inclusive of the student’s room & board, as well as a trip to the US China Embassy & Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington, D.C.young_diplomats_brochure_20120420
Let’s take advantage of this great opportunity for our youth! 1st Annual Young Diplomats Program at Hampton University http://www.hamptonu.edu/studentservices/assessment/yd/
Da’Quan Marcell Love |
May Underclass Opportunities Newsletter
at 11:37 am on Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Underclassmen and parents:
Please find the underclass newsletter here for great opportunities and scholarships: 2012 May