KABT BioBlog

Date: Saturday, April 14, 2007
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Sponsor: Science Pioneers
Location: Union Station
Description: An new opportunity presented by Science Pioneers in Career Day from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2007 at Union Station. Students in grades 8-12 can visit one-on-one with over 30 professionals in a variety of careers. Students will benefit from the expertise of these professionals- coursework, schools and colleges, and related job experience. To ensure adequate materials, pre-registration is required at admin@sciencepioneers.org. There is no fee. Please call 816.460.2261 for further questions. Careers represented are aviation, biology, chemistry, clinical hematology, clinical laboratory, dietary, engineering, environmental, fitness, human resources, immunology, informational technology, laboratory management, meteorology, microscope design, nursing, paleontology, pathology, pharmacy, reference librarian, veterinarian and many more.

http://www.kcscienceinc.org/

We have talked a good deal about science communication. I would like to let the list know about a new collaboraton in our region – KC Science, INC, is a partnership of KCPT Public Television, Johnson County Library, Linda Hall Library, Science City at Union Station, Pathfinder Science, Science Pioneers and the Center for Science Education at the University of Kansas, focused on promoting science-related events, encouraging interest in science, advocating for science-based careers and inspiring natural curiosity throughout the community. There is a longer description of our activities below however, I want to let you know about an upcoming events;

Thursday, April 5 @ 8 pm

KCPT TACKLES PROBLEM OF SCIENTIFIC “ILLITERACY” WITH ENGAGING NEW DOCUMENTARY AND COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

On Thursday, April 5 @ 8 pm KCPT presents YOUNG SCIENTISTS with John Merrow an inspiring documentary that follows the fortunes of twenty dedicated high school students who, as part of their high school science program, are competing in
the “Super Bowl” of science fairs, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. This one-hour PBS documentary tackles the problem of scientific “illiteracy” by showing a powerful way of engaging students in real science.

KCPT will continue the conversation by examining the concerns over “Scientific Illiteracy” in this community and to get the citizens in the region thinking more about the role of “science” in this community. The town hall conversation” featuring people from the world of science, business, education, a couple of young people and a couple of connect-the-dots type trend thinkers: DR. STEVEN CASE is Assistant Director of the Center for Science Education at the University of Kansas, BETTY PAULSELL is program director of SCIENCE PIONEERS, JULIE EDGE is President and Founder of Inside Edge Solutions LLC, JACK CASHILL is Executive Editor of INGRAMS MAGAZINE, DAVID KETCHUM is Science Coordinator for the Kansas City, MO School District, CHRIS KUEHL, founder and Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence, DAVID JEWELL is president of Jewell Baker Zander Inc., ELENA OVAITT is a senior at West Platte High School, DAVID BEIER is a science teacher at Barstow School abd ERIK BERGRUD, Director of Park University’s International Center for Civic Engagement

John Wilkins at Evolving Thoughts is on a roll. Today he adds more fodder to think about the historical and scientific context in which Darwin worked. Biology teachers preparing to introduce the historical background for the development of Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection would do well to explore this essay. It’s deeper than you’ll want to present in class or expect students to learn but it may help you to present the process of science in a realistic manner…..

This week a paper was published in Nature that calls into question the idea that mammals took off and diversified filling niches vacated by the extinction of the dinosaur megafauna at the end of the Cretaceous. The data is molecular and the paper is at least somewhat controversial. You can find a nice write up about it at PZ Meyer’s Pharyngula Blog with graphs, trees and links. Another good coverage of this article is at: Mike Dunford’s Blog, The Questionable Authority

BW

One of the most discussed events in the history of biology is the delay between Darwin’s original conception of the theory of natural selection and the publishing of “Origin”. We all know the story. For more than 20 years Darwin kept his ideas mostly to himself and a close circle of colleagues who kept encouraging him to publish. Darwin’s delay has been attributed to his reticence to confront the religious and scientific establishment. Darwin keeps working but eventually he receives a letter from Wallace with essentially the same concepts outlined. Darwin’s colleagues arrange for a mutual presentation and the rest is history. Or is it? Here is a blog entry from John Wilken’s Evolving Thoughts that discusses this situation and a reference to a paper [pdf] presented recently by Darwin scholar, John van Wyhe that suggests that Darwin’s delay was only the result of underestimating the time it would take to complete a scheduled and well thought out research plan. Check it out. It will give you something to think about next time you discuss the history of evolutionary thought in your class.

BW

Click here to download a pdf of the Worm Lab Directions

Key terms: toxicity, pulse rate, blood circulation, Phylum Annelida, Class Oligochaeta, freshwater invertebrate

Purpose: a model for students to conduct real experiments that they design based on a simple “model organism”known as black worms. With very little effort it is possible to provide students

The student will be able to observe and record the pulse rate of Lumbriculus variegatus ( an aquatic segmented worm).

The student will design and carry out an experiment showing the effect of various substances on the pulse rate of Lumbriculus variegatus.

Follow the link to an Adobe PDF copy of this lab developed by Randy Dix and the American Physiology Society. Additional teaching resources at my site.

http://teachers.olathe.k12.ks.us/~rdixon/workshop.htm

These worms were made famous by the late Charlie Drewes and many of the techniques are of his design. His website is an invaluable resource and many thanks go to those that maintain and support his teachings. http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/faculty/DrewesC/htdocs/ Read the rest of this entry →

Yesterday I suggested that Ks bioteachers might want to participate in the upcoming bloggers bioblitz. Here’s the guy who thought up the idea and the current progress.

Bloggers Bioblitz

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Last spring the KABT field trip attempted to take part in a Bioblitz. KABT was originally going to do their own a Kanopolis with cooperation of Kansas Wildlife and Parks. However, we weren’t sure that our inexperience would get in the way so at the last minute we decided to take part in a KC metro bioblitz. Unfortunately, only KABT president Randy Dix was able to participate. Here’s a link to a group of bloggers that are putting on a blogger’s bioblitz. This is definitely something an individual biology class could do and report on…..

http://magickcanoe.com/blog/

For years, I have promoted the floating leaf disk assay as one of the best ways for students to explore factors that affect photosynthesis. It’s replicable, it’s cheap, it’s accessible, and most of all it’s fun.

You’ll find a more complete write-up with detailed instructor instructions here:

El Biology Lab Site

In my classes we introduce the technique with a structured lab investigation where the students acquire the skills needed so that they can explore their own questions later. To introduce the technique we compare photosynthesis with carbon dioxide and without. Each student is required to successfully navigate through the procedure and as they do, together as a class, we generate questions that will guide the students later on their own independent investigations.

BW

KABTer’s:

I’ve added a new feature in the right hand panel of the KABT News site. This is a feed from AAAS’s Eurekalert’s Biology news updates. You’ll find the headlines of the 6 most recent news items related to biology listed here and the link: Eurekalert Biology will take you to the AAAS with more detailed postings.

Notice also that Todd has commented about citizen science participation and I have added a link to web sites about citizen science.

BW