Investigations in Science 7 – April 12, 2019

Announcements:

I will out of the building next week while on the Farquhar Bay Trip with 24
students. I hope you have a wonderful spring break.

Coming Up:

 Artificial Selection
 RFP

Dates:

 April 12-13 – Band Trip

 April 14-16 – Bay Trip
 April 16 – Report Card Distribution
 April 17-22 – Spring Break
 April 16-May 2 – No After School Activities
 April 29 – Curiosity Cube (Engineering students and Apprentice Program
students)

What we did this week:

This week, we began looking at mutations by trying to determine factual
statements vs. fictional statements about mutations. Mutations are changes to
genes that can result in changes to proteins, which can affect the structures and
functions of the organism and thereby change traits. Some changes are beneficial,
others harmful, and some neutral to the organism. We completed a reading by
annotating and taking notes on an article. We also had some interactives to
complete on mutations.
We also read about 4 different mutations that animals have. They filled out
a graphic organizer on the mutations Then, they explained how sexual production
increases variation in offspring and how this variation may be beneficial, harmful,
or neutral for the organism. We read 4 different articles and used a graphic
organizer to compare different mutations.

Yesterday, we played a fun game modeling mutations and the effects of

them. Changes (mutations) to genes can result in changes to proteins, which can
affect the structures and functions of the organism and thereby change traits.
Some changes are beneficial, others harmful, and some neutral to the
organism. We were focusing on how a mutation and natural selection work
together. Groups were randomly assigned a mutation. With their mutation they
had to get a piece of candy from their “home” to a container and back. Below is a
list of the mutations. There was a lot of laughing going on as we watched two
groups go and timed them. We found that some mutations didn’t slow students
down that much, but others were very difficult. If they had to get to that food to
survive every day they may not survive. This connected to natural selection, the
animal best suited for their environment will survive and pass on their traits. You
can look at some pictures on my blog and ask your child about which mutation they
had.
Letter Characteristic produced by mutation
drawn by
groups
A Long fingernails (produced by plastic knives or spoons taped to
fingers)

B No fingers (taping hand)

C Lack of peripheral vision (produced by putting on goggles and

stuffing cotton on the sides to prevent viewing from the side)

D Hands fused together in front of body (produced by placing

hands together in front of body and taping/tying them together)

E Feet and ankles fused together (produced by taping the ankles

tightly together with duct tape/cravats)

F No arms (produced by securing arms down to the side of the

body)
 G Arms fused together behind the back at the wrists (produced by
placing arms behind the back and securing at the wrists)

H Use of opposable thumbs (you can use your thumbs to open the
candy)

Have a great weekend!