Reflection of Science Learning Experience: Science Night

     Unfortunately, I was not able to attend Science Night at Los Medalist Elementary. However, I was still able to contribute to my group's science project that we prepared for the students, which was an easy way to make ice cream.
     My role overall was to bring supplies. I was in charge of bringing the sugar, sprinkles, and cups. The rest of my group brought their supplies as well, so we were well prepared.
     Although I was not able to go, I was informed by my group members that we were the busiest station there, which was not surprising. I was glad that the students really enjoyed our station though.
     What I can take away from this experience is that I should have a more flexible schedule that will allow me to participate in events like this. I know that if I did happen to attend, I would've had a blast, especially because I would be able to use my knowledge to teach our youth about science. Seeing their excitement enjoy would have made me feel good because I know I would be doing something positive, while giving back to the community. Overall, I am happy that our station was a success and I would like to thank my group for being able to take on my position and managing to serve ice cream to all of the students.

H-Weezy Fo-Sheezy

Hardy-Weinberg

The Hardy-Weinberg equation consists of p squared, q squared, p, q, and 2pq. In order to get started, it is important to know that the p+q= 1 and p squared + q squared=1. For clarification, p represents the frequency of the dominant alleles, while q represents the frequency of the recessive alleles. P squared shows the homzygous dominant individuals and q squared shows the homozygous recessive individuals. Lastly, 2pq represents the heterozygotes, which are the individuals who have both dominant and recessive alleles. 

Here's an example of a Hardy-Weinberg problem.

Example: There are 18 percent of homozygous recessive individuals in a population of 1000. Considering the remaining 82 percent consists of individuals with the dominant trait, how many individuals are homozygous dominant, homozygous recessive, and heterozygous?
 

How to solve:

1. Identify what has been given to you. We know that 18 percent of the individuals are homozygous recessive, which is q squared.
2. Take the square root of q squared to solve for q. (round to the nearest hundredth)
3. We know that p+q=1, therefore we can find p by subtracting the value of q from 1.
4. To find p squared, you would square whatever value you get for p.
5. Next, you find 2pq by multiplying the values of p and q together, times 2.
6. Lastly, to find the number of individuals for each genotype, you must multiply the values of q squared, p squared, and 2pq by 1000.

Answers:

q squared= .18
p squared= .34
p= .58
q= .42
2pq= .49

Number of homozygous recessive individuals: 180
Number of homozygous dominant individuals: 340
Number of heterozygous individuals: 490

Worm Lab

     For this experiment, we observed the California Black Worm to determine its pulse rate when put into different solutions. We split up into our lab groups to time the pulse rate of the worms per minute, (5 times each), and then we came back together as a class to exchange our data. Based on the data alone, I calculated the average of pulse rates for each silution, in order to figure out if each solution was the normal, stimulant, or depressant. I began by calculating the average of each solution for each group, until I realized that some groups' data consisted of no [none] pulse rates. Therefore, I combined all the groups data for each solution instead. It appears that Solution A had the highest average, making it the stimulant. Next comes Solution C, which leaves Solution B as the depressant. I decided to take the average because the experiment was conducted inaccurately, knowing that each group had a different approach of completing this experiment, and there is plenty of room for errors when doing a lab. Statistically speaking, the average reflects the inaccuracy of the experiment overall, since calculating involved rounding as opposed to an exact number. 

Hiking Adventures

Yesterday I went hiking with a few of my friends at Alamere Falls. It was a lot of fun, despite that we hiked more miles than we should have because we didn't know where we were going. Overall, it was a great experience and I hope to go back again soon.

The waterfall that took us 3 hours to find

Foxy

The lake, when it actually got sunny and warm outside 

Tree tunnel