Day 09
Wow, the days are flying by. While we may be a little over the half way mark, we end next Friday. In reality, we end next Thursday since I don't plan on teaching anything on Friday. Maybe we'll watch Jurassic park in the end and I'll just cave in because I am just like that, LOL.
After the transformation lab, I was worried that: 1. Bacteria did not grow 2. Bacteria would not glow. I was wrong on both. Well sorta. Most groups have bacteria, some didn't notice it, but I shoud've been more explicit in my instructions of observing results - not just the glowing colonies but also the bacteria that doesn't grow. It's important to see what bacteria came about, and in what form.
But first, before entering my room I was told that student(s) were pushing thumbtacks into presentation posterboards and removing thumbtacks on bulletin boards so that presentation papers would fall. Mind you that these were not just flyers, these were actual poster boards that explained scientific findings. We (science instructors) were told to warn our kids and that this was serious. I had to take my kids around showing them the damage and explaining why we don't push pins and pull pins out of boards. I told them that someone almost slipped, and it was disrespectful to people's work. I think they get it. I had to also tell them that the consequence of such actions would be calling parents, and informing the academic dean and the chair of the Biology department. My students were stunned and took my warnings seriously. They know I don't like to do it, but as I explained to them that I do this to protect them from someone accusing them. They can't go anywhere without a TA and no drinking water or going to the bathroom until break. Yeah, I don't want to - but I must.
We then reviewed a bit, and then we had a quiz/assessment. Assessment sounds better, but my TA is looking over it (which is SOOOO great, my other TA just kind of collected it and didn't really do much to it). Afterwards, we had a break and then it was go-time where we had to find out whether or not it worked. Out of 4 groups - only one group got the transformation right. It was great, 1 out of 4 is better than 0 out of 4. I have pictures and will post them soon, woohoo.
After lunch (which wasn't too bad...it was good raviolli, dinner on the other hand wasn't that great), we talked about our results and why we got them. Good explainations. I also went over what we can do to be better, great suggestions as well. I think it's always important to have a debriefing for the entire class so that everyone can see what others got and the problems that might occur. I also was being evaluated for my teaching abilities (so to speak) so it was good that I had a part where we were doing live discussion.
Then, I got them thinking more. I had them read a Taro article on how UHM was trying to patent the taro genes/plants and how much of an uproar it caused. I explained how they did it (and now they understand how to make it, which is great), and the significance. I even went into the Hawaiian Mythology abot how Haloa (sp?) is actually the elder brother to the ancestor of the Hawaiian people and to patent a relgious/sacred food was just unheard of. I think the kids were getting into it because they saw both sides (UH vs. Hawaiian people again patents). They saw how both could be write and struggled to find a middle ground. I gave them the outcome and showed them the actual press release from UHM about how the patents have been terminated and no one can ever patent taro again. Period. They agree with the outcomes and seemed happy. In the final 5 mins of class, I taught them how to make transgenic mice - really cool stuff.
During my 3-5, I preped for tomorrow's cancer lab (with the gels). Dinner wasn't that great. It started pouring and thundering like crazy. Grrrrr.........
So I got tonight off, I did laundry, got to prepare for tomorrow, and I know that I shouldn't have to stretch things out because I should have more than enough to teach them with. I even got to watch some YouTube. woohoo.
After the transformation lab, I was worried that: 1. Bacteria did not grow 2. Bacteria would not glow. I was wrong on both. Well sorta. Most groups have bacteria, some didn't notice it, but I shoud've been more explicit in my instructions of observing results - not just the glowing colonies but also the bacteria that doesn't grow. It's important to see what bacteria came about, and in what form.
But first, before entering my room I was told that student(s) were pushing thumbtacks into presentation posterboards and removing thumbtacks on bulletin boards so that presentation papers would fall. Mind you that these were not just flyers, these were actual poster boards that explained scientific findings. We (science instructors) were told to warn our kids and that this was serious. I had to take my kids around showing them the damage and explaining why we don't push pins and pull pins out of boards. I told them that someone almost slipped, and it was disrespectful to people's work. I think they get it. I had to also tell them that the consequence of such actions would be calling parents, and informing the academic dean and the chair of the Biology department. My students were stunned and took my warnings seriously. They know I don't like to do it, but as I explained to them that I do this to protect them from someone accusing them. They can't go anywhere without a TA and no drinking water or going to the bathroom until break. Yeah, I don't want to - but I must.
We then reviewed a bit, and then we had a quiz/assessment. Assessment sounds better, but my TA is looking over it (which is SOOOO great, my other TA just kind of collected it and didn't really do much to it). Afterwards, we had a break and then it was go-time where we had to find out whether or not it worked. Out of 4 groups - only one group got the transformation right. It was great, 1 out of 4 is better than 0 out of 4. I have pictures and will post them soon, woohoo.
After lunch (which wasn't too bad...it was good raviolli, dinner on the other hand wasn't that great), we talked about our results and why we got them. Good explainations. I also went over what we can do to be better, great suggestions as well. I think it's always important to have a debriefing for the entire class so that everyone can see what others got and the problems that might occur. I also was being evaluated for my teaching abilities (so to speak) so it was good that I had a part where we were doing live discussion.
Then, I got them thinking more. I had them read a Taro article on how UHM was trying to patent the taro genes/plants and how much of an uproar it caused. I explained how they did it (and now they understand how to make it, which is great), and the significance. I even went into the Hawaiian Mythology abot how Haloa (sp?) is actually the elder brother to the ancestor of the Hawaiian people and to patent a relgious/sacred food was just unheard of. I think the kids were getting into it because they saw both sides (UH vs. Hawaiian people again patents). They saw how both could be write and struggled to find a middle ground. I gave them the outcome and showed them the actual press release from UHM about how the patents have been terminated and no one can ever patent taro again. Period. They agree with the outcomes and seemed happy. In the final 5 mins of class, I taught them how to make transgenic mice - really cool stuff.
During my 3-5, I preped for tomorrow's cancer lab (with the gels). Dinner wasn't that great. It started pouring and thundering like crazy. Grrrrr.........
So I got tonight off, I did laundry, got to prepare for tomorrow, and I know that I shouldn't have to stretch things out because I should have more than enough to teach them with. I even got to watch some YouTube. woohoo.