First class

Hello!

Next Wednesday, September 5^th, Chris’s students will have their first science class with me. I have two primary goals for the first day:

(1) Review a few concepts, including the scientific method and differences between native, alien, and invasive species.

-->  These concepts will be discussed during a power point presentation summarizing my research. I am currently studying divergent evolution in early traits of development in 3 California native grass species. My research was designed to help an ongoing restoration effort in one of UC Davis’s natural reserves (http://nrs.ucdavis.edu/McL/index.html).

              

                When choosing seeds for a restoration project, scientists and land managers need to ensure that the biological material being used presents: a) local adaptation to the restoration site (for successful establishment of populations), and b) genetic diversity within populations to increase the likelihood that populations will survive under various environmental conditions.

My hope is that by the end of the presentation students will know, and have a clear example of, how scientists (ecologists in particular) approach questions/problems. 

(2) Plant seeds that will be used in the restoration project mentioned above.

        -->   Students will spend the rest of our time together planting seeds of 5 CA native grasses: Festuca idahoensis, Bromus carinatus, Hordeum brachyantherum, Nasella pulchra, and Elymus glaucus. We will plant approximately 300 seeds but only a fraction of those will germinate and survive until November 2^nd, the day in which we will plant the grasses at the McLaughlin reserve. I will post more information about this project before the field trip to the reserve.

Welcome!

             “A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space.  He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”  -- Albert Einstein 

   Welcome to my blog! The purpose of this blog is to inform parents about what I will be doing with the kids in science classes at Peregrine School. To initiate this blog, I would like to introduce myself, and give you a broad summary of what I will be doing at the school in my first year.

     My name is Carol Fonseca, I have a B.S from UC Davis in plant biology, and am currently working towards my M.S in Evolution, Ecology and Conservation biology at Sac. State. I have been teaching (and loving) lower division biology labs for one and a half years and am pleased to have this opportunity to work with kids! My research focus is on applied evolutionary biology. 

     During this school year, I will be working with 5 - 7th graders from September through December, 3rd - 4th graders from January through March, and with 1st - 2nd graders from April through June. I am really excited about the Yosemite field trip, and will spend the first month helping 5 - 7th graders learn about the geology and ecology of Yosemite. After the Yosemite field trip, my focus will be on cell biology, structure and function of organisms.

     In the beginning of 2013, the main project will revolve around vernal pools and I will be working with 3rd to 4th graders. I will finalize the school year working with 1st - 2nd graders on general biology, topics will include plant and animal biodiversity. I will be using the national standards for science throughout the school year.

      Looking forward to meeting everyone soon.