Enrichment Experience Mandala (Grades 9-12)
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High School
Biology/Biology Honors (lab)
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Course Description: The biology course is a lab course and guides students through the study of living and non-living systems and how they interact with one another. Students explore the world they live in by posing questions and seeking answers through scientific inquiry. Discovery takes place through observation and data collection. The students will be introduced to the structure, function, diversity, and evolution of living matter. This is a course with real relevance. It encourages curiosity and provides opportunities for students to work on hands-on lab activities and develop relationships through collaborative learning. Engaging in the study of biological science broadens the picture of the world around us.
Note: content varies depending on the course version. For currently enrolled students, please refer to the syllabus located in the course information area for curriculum specifics.
Competencies
Foundations of Biology
Students will demonstrate an understanding of foundations of biology by describing the scientific method, explaining elements of the chemistry of life, and describing Earth’s early atmosphere.
Cell Structures and Processes
Students will demonstrate an understanding of cell structures and processes by analyzing properties of water, describing cell structure and function, explaining processes of cellular transport, and explaining cellular energy.
Heredity and Cell Reproduction
Students will demonstrate an understanding of heredity and cell reproduction by comparing types of cell division, describing heredity and genetic mutations, explaining the process and applications of DNA replication, and explaining the process of protein synthesis.
Ecological Systems
Students will demonstrate an understanding of ecological systems by describing fundamentals of ecology, summarizing the characteristics of the biosphere, describing elements of ecosystems, and explaining the impact of changes on ecosystems.
Evolution and Natural Selection
Students will demonstrate an understanding of evolution and natural selection by explaining the theory of evolution and describing the process of natural selection.
Classification and Diversity
Students will demonstrate an understanding of classification and diversity by explaining the classification of organisms and describing the features specific to organisms in each kingdom.
Systems of the Human Body
Students will demonstrate an understanding of systems of the human body by describing the structure and function of the human body systems and comparing body system actions.
Major Topics and Concepts
Please also review the competency statements to learn more about the major topics and concepts covered in this offering.
Module 1
- Exploring Life
- Chemistry of Life
- Earth’s Early Atmosphere
Module 2
- Properties of Water
- Microscopes
- Early Cells
- Cell Structure and Function
- Cellular Energy
- Cellular Respiration
- Photosynthesis
Module 3
- Cell Division
- Meiosis
- Mendel
- Heredity Patterns
- DNA Replication
- Mutations
- Biotechnology
- Health and Genetics
Module 4
- Ecology
- The Biosphere
- Ecosystems
- Impacts on our Ecosystem
- Recovering Ecosystems
- Recycling
Module 5
- Evolution
- Evolutionary Relationships
- Primate Evolution
Module 6
- Classification of Living Organisms
- Bacteria
- Protists
- Fungus
- Plants
- Plant Cells and Tissues
- Plant Growth, Reproductions, and Development
- Animals
Module 7
- Nervous and Endocrine Systems
- Respiratory and Circulatory Systems
- Digestive and Excretory Systems
- Muscular, Skeletal, and Integumentary Systems
- Reproductive System
- Immune System
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Projects allow students to demonstrate competence and understanding of concepts and skills by completing a career-related task. For example, the assignment might be to create a mural, a package design, a speech, a film review, or a movie set – you name it! These creative projects are about applying your learning acquired through in-depth research to real-world career tasks.
Each competency will be addressed through a project that is based on a real-life career task. Here are the careers you will explore: Biochemist, Water Resource Specialist, Puzzle Design Artist, Environmental Specialist working for a land preservation trust, Wildlife Biologist, and Digital Designer/Editor for an ecological protection group.
Please review the competency statements to learn more about the major topics and concepts covered in this offering.
Competencies
Foundations of Biology
Students will demonstrate an understanding of foundations of biology by describing the scientific method, explaining elements of the chemistry of life, and describing Earth’s early atmosphere.
Cell Structures and Processes
Students will demonstrate an understanding of cell structures and processes by analyzing properties of water, describing cell structure and function, explaining processes of cellular transport, and explaining cellular energy.
Heredity and Cell Reproduction
Students will demonstrate an understanding of heredity and cell reproduction by comparing types of cell division, describing heredity and genetic mutations, explaining the process and applications of DNA replication, and explaining the process of protein synthesis.
Ecological Systems
Students will demonstrate an understanding of ecological systems by describing fundamentals of ecology, summarizing the characteristics of the biosphere, describing elements of ecosystems, and explaining the impact of changes on ecosystems.
Evolution and Natural Selection
Students will demonstrate an understanding of evolution and natural selection by explaining the theory of evolution and describing the process of natural selection.
Classification and Diversity
Students will demonstrate an understanding of classification and diversity by explaining the classification of organisms and describing the features specific to organisms in each kingdom.
Systems of the Human Body
Students will demonstrate an understanding of systems of the human body by describing the structure and function of the human body systems and comparing body system actions.
Projects
Project: Here are the careers you will explore in Biology 1 Projects: Biochemist, Water Resource Specialist, Puzzle Design Artist, Environmental Specialist, Wildlife Biologist, and Digital Designer/Editor.
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Digital Badge
Experiences allow you to explore a career field you’re curious about while mastering competencies for school credit. Through experiential learning, you will learn skills and apply them to tasks you would complete as part of a career rather than completing traditional assessments like essays or tests. During your Experience, you’ll work with a professional in the field to support your learning whom we call an “outside expert.” You’ll earn a badge for your accomplishments to share on social media and higher education platforms, or with colleges, potential employers, peers, and colleagues to display your qualifications.
Here’s how Experiences work:
- Each competency you work on is addressed through a separate deliverable predetermined by you and your instructor.
- Guided learning for each module consists of research and/or work with a professional in the field. Your instructor will coach you through this process.
- Each module culminates in a final demonstration of understanding, which includes a deliverable and a discussion-based assessment with your instructor.
- Here’s an example:
Let’s say you’re curious about a career in healthcare. You decide you’d like to learn about this career area, make a professional connection, earn a badge, and meet competencies for your 9th-grade English requirement. While enrolled in English 1 Experiences, you conduct research to better understand language and structure in writing. Then you may work with an Occupational Therapist to help apply your writing skills to the creation of an informational video about adaptive equipment for patients. The video aims to advise family members of patients regarding the use of accommodations and equipment to help patients perform daily tasks. Now you’ve earned the Language and Structure in Writing competency! This is just one example of the many ways Experiences can bridge competencies to careers.
Obtaining an Outside Expert: Prior to enrollment, please have an idea for an outside expert in mind or consult with our counseling department by emailing [email protected] for help in identifying one. Also, a parent/guardian permission form and background check of the outside expert are both required for students to work with outside experts without parental supervision.
Competencies
Foundations of Biology
Students will demonstrate an understanding of foundations of biology by describing the scientific method, explaining elements of the chemistry of life, and describing Earth’s early atmosphere.
Cell Structures and Processes
Students will demonstrate an understanding of cell structures and processes by analyzing properties of water, describing cell structure and function, explaining processes of cellular transport, and explaining cellular energy.
Heredity and Cell Reproduction
Students will demonstrate an understanding of heredity and cell reproduction by comparing types of cell division, describing heredity and genetic mutations, explaining the process and applications of DNA replication, and explaining the process of protein synthesis.
Ecological Systems
Students will demonstrate an understanding of ecological systems by describing fundamentals of ecology, summarizing the characteristics of the biosphere, describing elements of ecosystems, and explaining the impact of changes on ecosystems.
Evolution and Natural Selection
Students will demonstrate an understanding of evolution and natural selection by explaining the theory of evolution and describing the process of natural selection.
Classification and Diversity
Students will demonstrate an understanding of classification and diversity by explaining the classification of organisms and describing the features specific to organisms in each kingdom.
Systems of the Human Body
Students will demonstrate an understanding of systems of the human body by describing the structure and function of the human body systems and comparing body system actions.
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