We have had a great start to the new year in Biology! Our first unit focused on practicing skills
needed in the laboratory, such as measuring mass, volume and length using
appropriate equipment, designing experiments by identifying variables and
constants, and recording qualitative and quantitative data.
Our first inquiry lab concerning isopod
behavior was a success! “Isopods” are
the scientific name for the backyard critters many of us call “pill bugs” or “roly-polies”. The students set up a choice chamber to test
the preferences of isopods. For example,
some students thought it would be interesting to test whether isopods preferred
dark or lighted environments, hot or cold temperatures, and sand or soil ground
cover. We will be discussing their
results next week and analyzing the bug behaviors.
Recently we started our second unit on ecology. The students are creating food webs to visualize
the important relationships between plants, animals and how human activity
impacts natural food webs. Soon we are planning to go outside to collect data for a
population simulation and to remove Buckthorn, an invasive species growing in
the forests behind BHHS. Hopefully the weather continues to be beautiful! 
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