Investigations in Science 7 June 10, 2016

What we did this week:

Can you believe there is only one more week of school? Where has the time
gone? I know our time this week was on mutations, natural selection, and
adaptation. We had learned earlier in the year about mutations when we looked at
DNA. This time we were focusing on how a mutation and natural selection work
together. Groups randomly selected 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 didnt 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
drawn by
groups

Characteristic produced by mutation

Long fingernails (produced by plastic knives or spoons taped to

fingers)

No fingers (taping hand)

Lack of peripheral vision (produced by putting on goggles and

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

Hands fused together in front of body (produced by placing

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

Feet and ankles fused together (produced by taping the ankles

tightly together with duct tape/cravats)

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

body)

Arms fused together behind the back at the wrists (produced by

placing arms behind the back and securing at the wrists)

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

We looked at a variety of examples of natural selection such as the

peppered moths and rock pocket mouse. We obtained information from a variety
of sources found in Google Classroom on Darwins Journey and the Theory of
Evolution. They also explored a computer model to explore a simulation of natural
selection.
Announcements:
Yearbooks were distributed last week in science classes. If you would like to
still order a yearbook, you can do so at:
https://yearbookforever.com/#school/332034/2016

Coming Up:
Topics:
REVIEW SHEET DUE MONDAY (Attached)
QUIZ ON MONDAY
RFP
Dates:
June 10 Spirit Day 90s Day
June 13 - Exams for students enrolled in Spanish 1B, Italian 1B, French 1B,
and Geometry
June 14 - Exams for students enrolled in Spanish 2B, Italian 2B, and French
2B
June 15 - 7th Grade Fun Day

June 17 - Last Day of School Half Day (This date is specific to Farquhar
because of the modernization. It gives teachers an extra day to pack up
their classrooms.)
June 17 - Time Capsule Ceremony @ 8:30-9:30 am