Fall Science Update

Our trip to the Wildlife Expo in Guthrie was a success. Quite a feat considering we took two busses with about 45 students (grades 6-12), 10 parent sponsors, and 6 teachers. Thanks to all the staff and families who helped pull it off!

Five-week progress reports went out last week and parents should schedule an appointment to visit if they are concerned with their student’s progress.

Here is this week’s schedule:

Biology I- Cell Structure and Function
Earth Science- Minerals
Zoology- Phylum Platyhelminthes (flatworms), lab practical Tuesday
6th Grade Science- Motion and Newton’s Laws
7/8th Grade Science- Rocks (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic)

This is real "authentic" Science

The buzz among science educators is "authentic science". For an old school zoologist, authentic science opens the door for lots of fun. The only trick is to meet our state standards and objectives in the process. This is really not all that tough. For example, Oklahoma science objectives ask students to "observe, measure, and classify". Perfect! We can use inexpensive natural resources around us to make this exciting and fun. Our students are inherently curious and this is where we can take advantage of that. In this photo, one of our students dissects a bunch of snake eggs that were discovered by a local resident and brought to our classroom. The students will measure and classify these specimens for future study.

Opportunistic Herpetology in the Classroom

Another really neat thing about autumn in Oklahoma is that we have an abundance of herpetological activity. Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians; that is what I specialize in. The cooler, more moist conditions trigger animals to move in preparation for winter. They are feeding and migrating; some salamanders and toads are even breeding this time of year. This week we have observed several reptiles and amphibians including: American Toad (Bufo americanus), Green Tree Frog (Hyla cineria), Common Snapping Turtle (Celidra srpentina), Ornate Box Turtle (Terapene ornata), Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), and Water Snakes (Nerodia) eggs.

Many of these animals can be easily observed in the classroom with some basic training and safety precautions. Animals can often then be released back at the point of capture. There are certain permits that are required to hold these animals in captivity. If you would like more information on Oklahoma Herpetology you may contact me. I will try to post some more tidbits in ZooBlog along the way- time permitting.

12 Words Commonly Used in Test Questions

These 12 words are very often part of the instructions on tests. Students do better if you know what to do when they see one of these words on a test. Spend a little time familiarizing yourself with these words and their meaning.

Trace- follow, track, find clues, list steps, outline, to make a graphic record
Analyze- break up the problem, explain each part, determine the relationship of each part
Infer- assume, imply, read between the lines, derive a conclusion from facts and evidence
Evaluate- math=solve or determine the value, rate, judge, look at both sides
Formulate- create, build, plan
Describe- who, what, when, how, why, supporting statements, give an account
Support- provide evidence, back it up, examples, details, reasons why
Explain- who, what, when, how, why, supporting statements
Summarize- short version, low down, brief, state the main idea
Compare- tell how things are alike
Contrast- tell how things are different
Predict- forecast, foretell, what is going to happen

2009 Wildlife Expo

YES, the rumors are true! We ARE going to the 2009 Wildlife Expo School Day on Friday, September 25th. If you want more information visit the website at: http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/wildlifeexpo.htm You may also view a video from last year showing some of the events. The video also gives instructions on what to bring, appropriate clothing, etc. View the video at: http://www.wynona.k12.ok.us/Site/Featured_Student_Project.html

Science Tests This Week

There will be exams in all WPS science classes this Friday. One exception, Earth Science, will be on Thursday. Notebooks in each class will be due the day of the exam.

September Science Update

Cooler fall temperatures at night and warm "Indian Summer" days are accompanied by animals and plants carrying out their annual life cycles or preparing for the winter.

Students, as you head into the autumn season here are some upcoming events to remember:

Oklahoma Wildlife Expo 2009

Wynona 6-12th grade science students will travel to the Lazy-E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma to attend the Wildlife Expo School Day Event on Friday, September 25th. This special school day event is hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and will feature over 100 wildlife and outdoor related exhibits. We will be traveling by bus and will most certainly need parent sponsors. If you are interested in helping out, contact me through our school office. This is a free event, but in order to participate students must be eligible under school guidelines, the same as any other extra curricular activity.

Oklahoma Academy of Science- Fall Field Meeting

OAS will hold this year's field meeting at Osage Hills State Park the weekend of October 9-11th. Field trips will include Aquatic Invertebrates, Botany, Entomology, Geography, Geology, Herpetology, Ichthyology, Malacology, Mammalogy, Mycology, and Ornithology.

Friday evening's program (8-9:00 pm) will feature Calos Cordova from Oklahoma State University who will speak about Paleoecology of Bison, Grasses, and Fire in the Great Plains.

There will be astronomical viewing (weather permitting) from 9:30-11:30 pm)

Saturday evening, Steve Hallgren from Oklahoma State University will speak about Fire Ecology in the Cross Timbers. For more information go to the website: http://oas.uco.edu/