This Week in Biology (Nov 16-20)

 In Biology, Scholars Prep Science - 7th Grade
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Dear Parents and students,

Just in case you missed it last week, It is time to start thinking and working on the Science Fair and STEM Festival. Each year students produce projects that are highly creative and well thought out. The students will not have to present until after Christmas break,  but now is the time to start preparing.  Students who choose the Science Fair should keep in mind that they must develop a project that has a clear experiment with data.  The scientific method must be followed and all data must be clearly presented. It is suggested that the experiment they choose will have some real life application.  A website has been produced which has all the available information on the Science Fair and STEM Fest for this year. Students can access this site via the link below. Last week the students chose either Science Fair or STEM Fest using the online form.  This week the students will choose their Science Fair topic or STEM challenge using the online form.

SCIENCE FAIR WEBSITE
https://sites.google.com/view/science-fair-stem-festival/home

CHOOSE EITHER SCIENCE FAIR OR STEM FESTIVAL:
Last week students were asked to make their choice for Science fair or Stem fest.  If you have not done so already, please make sure to do this asap:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeK-FDTdKvFarlgVRU2V6wwaeBv9w2fnrPIJPUJn0losuKa9A/viewform

CHOOSE YOUR TOPIC OR CHALLENGE:

Here is our class schedule for the week:

Begin Science Fair Background Research and Stem Festival Research
Fill out Science Fair topic choice or STEM Fest choice on the website:  https://sites.google.com/view/science-fair-stem-festival/home

Notes and Practice:  5.1  History of Life
200 words Essay over topic 1 or topic 2
Topic 1: Does speculation about the origin of life fit into natural science?  Do we have enough evidence to suggest what happened in the beginning stages of life? What assumptions must be made in order to do this?
Topic 2: If we were to speculate about the origin of the universe, is it reasonable to assume that the physical laws operated the same in the beginning as we believe they operate today? Why or why not?

Notes and Practice: 5.2  Formation of Earth
Socratic Discussion over topics one and two.

Notes and Practice: 5.6  Late Precambrian
Writing topic (200 words)
The theory of evolution claims that all life on earth evolved from one single source. However, there are several scientists who call in to question the idea that all life evolved from one source. One of the points of contention is the Precambrian period.  Do we have any transitional fossils from before the precambrian period? Not many!  Some people argue that the expected transitions between major invertebrate groups (phyla) are absent before the precambrian period.  They suggest that the suddenness of the appearance of these life forms in the fossil record demonstrates that evolutionary explanations are not viable.  What does your research suggest?

Notes and Practice 5.7  Paleozoic Era
Finish Science Fair Background Research

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I would love to hear any feedback or questions you or your student may have.  Feel free to contact me via email at any time.

Thank you again for sharing your wonderful student with us this year,

Chris Newton
Biology
San Tan Charter High School
cnewton@santancharterschool.com