Investigations in Science 7 – April 26, 2019

Announcements:

PARCC testing is next week. Please make sure your child gets a good night’s
rest, comes to school on time, and eats a good breakfast prior to taking the PARCC
test. Students need to bring headphones or earbuds for testing. Dates of the
PARCC test May 2-3.

Coming Up:

 Gel Electrophoresis

Dates:

 April 16-May 2 – No After School Activities

 April 29 – Curiosity Cube (Engineering students and Apprentice Program
students)
 May 2-3 – PARCC – ELA
 May 6-10 - Staff Appreciation Week
 May 7-8 – PARCC - ELA
 May 13-15 – PARCC - Math
 May 14 – PTA Meeting at 7:00 pm
 May 16 – Last Day of After School Activities
 May 23 – Music Concert – Sherwood HS at 7:00 pm
 May 27 – No School
 June 11 – Fun Day
 June 14 – Last Day of School/Early Dismissal

What we did this week:

We came back to the “clients” students picked at the beginning of the
unit. Each set of clients had a genetic disorder (along with other traits) that they
are trying to determine if they will pass on to their offspring. Students already
researched the 4 disorders earlier (Huntington’s, sickle cell, cystic fibrosis, or
achondroplasia).
We completed a microarray lab to determine if their clients’ offspring has
the genetic disorder. A microarray is a lab technique that they used to determine
the genotype for one trait of their client’s offspring.
A microarray works by allowing you to visualize what genes are expressed in
a cell. This is done by placing DNA samples on a plate that contains wells. If a
person is homozygous dominant, the sample will be the color PINK on the plate. A
person that is homozygous recessive will show the color BLUE on the plate. An
individual that is heterozygous will show a mix of both colors and appear PURPLE on
the plate. (See picture below)

Then we continued piecing together information for the genetic counseling

project. The microarray results informed students if their client’s offspring had a
genetic disorder. We are in the process of finishing up our RFP on disease by
becoming genetic counselors and counseling another couple on the likelihood of
whether their offspring will get the disease or not.

Have a great weekend!