1. Science as a process

Assessment Goals/Outcomes:

Students will be able to:

1. Create an effective ‘baloney detection kit,’ including clearly defined questions which permit the evaluation of any physical claims.

2. List the steps of the scientific method and utilize them to solve a proposed investigation.

3. Design, perform, and interpret their own research investigation and demonstrate these abilities by formulating a proper lab report. Elements include: writing a comprehensive introduction with clear purpose and hypothesis, accurate description of methods employed, proper portrayal of data (graphs, tables, etc.), and accurate conclusions.

4. Apply statistical analysis to a set of data enabling them to clearly reject or accept a proposed hypothesis.

5. Demonstrate mastery of the scientific method, data analysis, and critical thinking through a formal quiz. Quiz consists of: multiple choice questions related to the scientific method, short answer questions requiring listing of the questions from a baloney kit, and the interpretation of hypotheses by utilizing statistical analysis.

Assessment Goals/Outcomes:

1. Properly utilize the following measuring tools: scales, macro and micro pipettes, graduated cylinders, and beakers. Student mastery will be evaluated by accuracy of outcome as revealed by correct mass measurement within lab protocol.

2. Design, perform, and interpret (ANOVA statistics) an investigation of paper towel efficiency, culminating in the development of a proper lab report. Student mastery evaluated by consistency of data, proper generation of ANOVA, proper interpretation of a formal null hypothesis, and the generation of a proper graph revealing absorption averages and cost efficiency. `

3. Manipulate stock solutions to develop a controlled experiment. Student mastery evaluated by correct ratios of solutions revealed in a procedure chart.

4. Develop and interpret a standard curve, culminating in its use to determine the concentration of a pollutant from a local aquatic system. Student mastery will be evaluated by accuracy of outcome as revealed by correct graphing outcome and by accuracy of the determination of the concentration an ‘unknown’ sample.

5. Utilize measurement skills, prepared chemical kits, and standard curves to determine the water quality of a selected aquatic system. Student mastery will be evaluated by the accuracy of outcome revealed in a formal lab report, by the ability to accurately interpret the meaning of the findings in light of standard data, and by the ability to identify appropriate causation for the measured water quality (human or natural influences).

6. Formal quiz will consist of: determination of the concentration of a pollutant by use of a student-generated standard curve, determining volumes of various stock solutions to create a controlled environmental lab study.

7. Demonstrate that current levels of human resource use are probably not sustainable by a written summary of a provided review document outlining the impacts of human civilization of local ecosystems.

8. Properly analyze second hand smoke effects on a microbial model. Student mastery will be evaluated by the accuracy of outcome revealed in a formal lab report, by the ability to accurately interpret the meaning of the findings in light of standard data, and by the ability to identify an approximate LD50.

Assessment Goals/Outcomes:

1. Students will reveal mastery of the meanings of terminology and concepts through home works (multiple choice, fill in, and charts). Key words/concepts are clarified in chapter reviews, and are available on the Biology 1 website.

2. Accurately determine the tolerance zone for a species from a presented graph.

3. Describe the various trophic levels of species within ecosystems by means of a chart.

4. Analyze the flow of matter and energy through ecosystems. Students diagram the Carbon and Nitrogen cycles, and are able to identify the imbalances and ramifications of human influence on the Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulfur cycles.

5. Demonstration of understanding of ecosystem energy flow by means of a survival challenge problem. Student mastery will be evaluated by the accuracy of outcome among choices offered.

6. Identify and graph logistic and exponential growth curves, and relate to r-selected and k-selected species.

7. Identify levels of succession and relate to natural and human-influenced causes by means of a chart.

8. Quiz includes: Interpretation of a species interaction graph, interpret the major phases of a logistic population growth curve, identification of species interactions, identification of successional stages,

1. Reveal the basic structure of matter relating to biological systems: atomic structure, ions, isotopes, molecules, compounds, mixtures, solutions, suspensions, colloids. Student mastery evaluated by accurately identifying the recognition of each word or concept within framework of homework problems. Key words/concepts are clarified in chapter reviews, and are available on the Biology 1 website.

2. Demonstrate the properties and significance of water in life: teacher directed simulations of cohesion, adhesion, tension, heat capacity, and solvent properties. Student mastery evaluated by answers offered during demonstration and by accurately identifying the recognition of each word or concept within framework of homework problems. Key words/concepts are clarified in chapter reviews, and are available on the Biology 1 website.

B. Carbon and Macromolecules of Life

1. Identification of the structure and function of the 4 classes of macromolecules. Student mastery evaluated by accurately identifying the recognition of each word or concept within framework of homework problems. Key words/concepts are clarified in chapter reviews, and are available on the Biology 1 website.

2. Students will accurately reveal the macromolecule composition of common foods: recognition of the role and interpretation of indicator (reporter) molecules.

3. Formal quiz of chemistry of life and the role of indicator molecules.

1. Reveal the basic structure of cells, relating structure to function. Student mastery evaluated by accurately identifying the recognition of each word or concept within framework of homework problems. Key words/concepts are clarified in chapter reviews, and are available on the Biology 1 website.

2. Proper utilization of microscopes, and the identification of cell components will be explored in a multi-lab exercise focusing on various cell types. Student mastery will be evaluated by the accuracy of outcome revealed in a lab data collection paper, by the ability to accurately determine the volume of a cell, and by the accuracy of stained organelle identification.

B. Cell transport

1. Reveal the basic structure and function of membranes, relating structure to function. Student mastery evaluated by accurately identifying the recognition of each word or concept within framework of homework problems. Key words/concepts are clarified in chapter reviews, and are available on the Biology 1 website.

2. Students will determine the tonicity of a potato cell by means of a discover lab investigation. The lab requires mastery of: a. concepts of tonicity, osmosis, and diffusion b. generation of proper concentrations of variables c. appropriate graphing and interpretive skills. Student mastery will be evaluated by the accuracy of outcome revealed in a formal lab report, by the ability to accurately graph the data obtained, and to interpret the meaning of the findings consistent with known phenomena.

3. A formal quiz will be utilized to assess student mastery, including multiple choice questions, graph analysis, and short answers.

1. Students will be able to identify the components of a chemical reaction and the types of chemical reactions based upon energy content. Student mastery evaluated by accurately identifying the recognition of each word or concept within framework of homework problems. Key words/concepts are clarified in chapter reviews, and are available on the Biology 1 website.

2. Students will accurately identify the role of enzymes in living systems by means of a simulation activity. Student mastery will be evaluated by the accuracy of outcome revealed in a formal lab report, by the ability to accurately graph the data obtained, and to interpret the meaning of the findings consistent with known phenomena.

3. Students will accurately interpret the influence of enzyme concentration on reaction velocity, as well as the effects of common consumables on amylase activity. Student mastery will be evaluated by the ability to: a. Design a controlled experiment b. accurately graph the data obtained c. and to interpret the meaning of the findings consistent with known phenomena.

4. Students will demonstrate mastery of redox and coupled reactions by means of teacher-directed demonstrations and homework.

B. Photosynthesis

1. Students will be able to identify the general processes and components of photosynthesis. Student mastery evaluated by accurately identifying the recognition of each word or concept within framework of homework problems. Key words/concepts are clarified in chapter reviews, and are available on the Biology 1 website.

2. Students will accurately interpret the relative effectiveness of various light wavelengths on photosynthetic activity. Chromatography and water displacement measurements will be employed to generate experimental data. Student mastery will be evaluated by the accuracy of outcome revealed in a formal lab report, by the ability to accurately graph the data obtained, and to interpret the meaning of the findings consistent with known phenomena.

3. A formal quiz will be utilized to assess student mastery, including multiple choice questions, graph analysis, and short answers.

1. Students will be able to identify the general processes and components of cellular respiration. Student mastery evaluated by accurately identifying the recognition of each word or concept within framework of homework problems. Key words/concepts are clarified in chapter reviews, and are available on the Biology 1 website.

2. Students will accurately interpret the relative effectiveness of various carbohydrates at promoting respiratory activity. Water displacement measurements will be employed to generate experimental data. Student mastery will be evaluated by the accuracy of outcome revealed in a formal lab report, by the ability to accurately graph the data obtained, and to interpret the meaning of the findings consistent with known phenomena.

3. A formal quiz will be utilized to assess student mastery, including multiple choice questions, graph analysis, and short answers.

1. Students will be able to identify the general processes and components of cell reproduction. Student mastery evaluated by accurately identifying the recognition of each word or concept within framework of homework problems. Key words/concepts are clarified in chapter reviews, and are available on the Biology 1 website.

2. Students will be able to accurately identify phases of mitosis, their sequence, and the relative duration of each phase by means of lab observations. Student mastery will be evaluated by the accuracy of outcome revealed in a formal lab report, by the ability to accurately graph the data obtained, and to interpret the meaning of the findings consistent with known phenomena.

3. Students will demonstrate mastery of the suspected causes, properties, and therapeutic interventions of cancer by means of a written synopsis of an article (“Roots of Cancer,” Scientific American).

1. Students will be able to identify the general processes and components of the Central Dogma. Student mastery evaluated by accurately identifying the recognition of each word or concept within framework of homework problems. Key words/concepts are clarified in chapter reviews, and are available on the Biology 1 website.

2. Students will demonstrate mastery of transcription/translation by means of a challenge simulation (James Bond: Cellular Spy). Student mastery will be evaluated by the accuracy of outcome revealed by student presentation of an appropriate ‘counter code’ based on the genetic code. In addition, students will reveal their understanding of the various consequences of mutations by means of the altering outcome of this ‘counter code.’

B. Gene Expression

1. Students will be able to identify the general processes and components involved in gene expression. Student mastery evaluated by accurately identifying the recognition of each word or concept within framework of homework problems. Key words/concepts are clarified in chapter reviews, and are available on the Biology 1 website.