The Newsletter for Science in Motion at Susquehanna University
Volume II Issue 6 February 2003

Neither Rain nor Snow nor School Delays…
Happy New Year! It certainly has been an exciting few months here at Science in Motion. The “old-fashioned winter” we seem to be having has added some interesting challenges to the Science in Motion Program. Birgit and Mike have had to deal with snow days, school delays and snarled traffic. I must say that I am proud of the way they have handled all the extra challenges. I would like to thank everyone for being so flexible with scheduling during these months of uncertain weather. I know visits have had to be re-scheduled and experiments condensed. Despite the weather, we are still adding new schools and classes to our van visit list. Don’t let potential weather problems make you van shy. Call and arrange a visit. Your students will be thrilled with the equipment and you should be pleased with the level of instruction.

January 2003 Workshop Well Attended
We had 15 secondary science teachers representing 9 different schools attend our one-day January workshop. We had a nice mixture of new faces and the return of some familiar faces. Everyone learned to do DNA fingerprinting using gel electrophoresis techniques. We all extracted our own DNA from cheek cells and then pursued our own interests where we learned some new experiments using the Vernier probe system, the GC and the HPLC. It was nice having a mixture of chemistry and biology teachers in the workshop. I was especially impressed with some of the cooperative interdisciplinary project ideas that were tossed around during the afternoon work session. This program really grows by word of mouth so please talk to your colleagues about your SIM experiences. One of our mandates from the state is to provide professional development opportunities for secondary science teachers. If you have an experiment you would like worked upon or a focus area developed, please let us know. We will be hosting a week-long workshop in June (see below) but are willing to add one-day workshops on specific ideas if the need and the interest are expressed by our teachers. This is your program designed to serve your needs and the needs of your classrooms.

Mike McDevitt, Chemistry Mobile Educator Says…
Now that winter vacation is over, I believe it’s time for a vacation from winter. The weather has been a little depressing, however, I have been very impressed how well the Science in Motion Chem van handles the inclement weather. I have been able to arrive on time with no mishaps. However, it did take me over 90 minutes to drive from Bloomsburg to Mt. Carmel on January 29th due to three minor accidents. Then I was behind a Penn DOT plow truck and three tractor trailers on the hills between Elysburg and Natalie.

The Chem van is not very busy in February and March. Hopefully, Mother Nature cooperates and a few schools call. We should schedule all visits for at least two days due to snow delays and possible cancellations. Hope to hear from you soon.

Chemistry Experiment of the Month
Nuclear Radiation with Computers
Experiment 3
Lifetime/Half-life Determination

Utilizing our Dell laptop and Vernier interface, a radiation monitor can measure the activity of a sample of Barium 137m. The barium radioisotope has a half-life of 2.5 minutes, therefore, becoming essentially non-radioactive within a 30-minute period.

Barium 137m is a gamma emitter. It is eluted from a radioactive sample of Cesium. The Cesium (a beta emitter) stored in a plastic “cow” can be “milked “ with a dilute hydrochloric acid solution providing an adequate sample of the decay byproduct, Ba-137m. Using logger-pro software from Vernier Software, a classic decay curve, Activity vs. Time, can be generated. The half-life of the radioisotope can be determined by two separate methods. First, data points can be interpolated from the graph. For example, 500 counts at 2.00 minutes, 250 counts at 4.75 minutes, yields an experimental half-life value of 2.75 minutes (actual value = 2.55 minutes). Also, data such as decay constant, background radiation, and original activity can be determined using logger-pro software. From this data the half-life can also be calculated.

Birgit Musheno, Biology Mobile Educator Says…
Winter has arrived with full force, and so has the demand for the Biology van! That has made for a good combination, since the van has much better traction on snowy roads when it is packed full of equipment…

In addition to some beautiful snow and relaxing holiday days, December brought a good variety of biology adventures, starting with a visit to Berwick Area High School, where Allison Spencer’s students did a great job transforming bacteria with glow-in-the-dark squid genes in the Bacterial Transformation lab. The next day brought more biotechnology fun with Geoff Goodenow’s Advanced Biology class at Lewisburg Area High School trying out a protein electrophoresis lab with an emphasis on species identification. The electrophoresis chambers didn’t have time to collect much dust, because the following week they saw a lot of action at Mt. Carmel Area High School, where Angela Farronato’s anatomy and physiology students did an excellent job of solving a crime in the DNA Fingerprinting lab.

Mt. Carmel students preparing to load DNA into gels.	Examining the DNA fingerprint results.

We wrapped up 2002 with an extended visit to Milton Area High School, where Deborah Muffly, Kathy Bower and Jocelyn Bailey worked out a full schedule of labs to fill four days: What Factors Affect Photosynthesis?; How Does Varying Light Intensity Affect Photosynthesis?; Crime Scene; Investigating EKG; and Investigating Heart Rate. It’s great to see so many teachers at a site take advantage of our services for their regular-level science classes!

Science in Motion welcomed the new year with a fun one-day workshop for both biology and chemistry educators on January 10th. We all enjoyed the thrill of preparing a DNA fingerprint as well as extracting our own cheek cell DNA and preserving it in fun take-home necklaces (what better gift for your loved one on Valentine’s day??). It was great to meet so many new teachers, to put faces with some familiar names, and to see familiar faces as well. If you haven’t yet attended one of the Science in Motion workshops, watch for more information about our week-long workshop in June!

After the holidays and workshop, it was all about green plants (perhaps due to the lack of leaves in our immediate surroundings?), with return visits to Jocelyn Bailey at Milton for a photosynthesis lab (we couldn’t fit in all the labs in those four December days), then to Danville Area High School where Pershing Markle’s classes also explored the factors that influence photosynthesis in Anacharis plants. We finished up the Plant Tour with a visit to Geoff Goodenow at Lewisburg, where students investigated the variables affecting transpiration in a variety of plants…with geraniums emerging as the grand champion “transpirators” in all conditions!

Also in January, I had a terrific maiden voyage to Line Mountain High School, where Heather Kieffer booked a week of labs to involve all of her classes: DNA extraction for Applied Bio, DNA Fingerprinting for AP Bio, Crime Scene for Biology I, and the EKG/Heart Rate labs for her Anatomy and Physiology students. It was wonderful to see students at all achievement levels using our high-tech equipment, and many administrators and fellow educators stopping by to observe the action.

Line Mountain anatomy students prepare to record an EKG graph.	For accurate EKG data, students must rest in a reclining position!

January also brought a second “first visit” for the Bio Van – this one to bring a protein electrophoresis lab to Bob Hartman’s five biology classes at Shamokin Area High School. His students demonstrated the skills of professional lab technicians as they helped with the development of this new lab designed to demonstrate the use of biotechnology in the field of evolution. A very impressive group of students!

Just before the end of the month, we managed to squeeze in one more school visit, to Southern Columbia Area High School so that the Ecology classes taught by Colleen Ruths and Nicole Lucas could see first-hand the uses of genetic engineering with the Bacterial Transformation lab.

If you still haven’t scheduled a Bio Van visit for your students, call (372-4780) or e-mail (Musheno@susqu.edu) today to schedule for April or May!

Biology Experiment of the Month
Crime Scene

With the rising popularity of television shows such as CSI that showcase criminal investigations, students have a tremendous interest in forensic science. Our Crime Scene lab helps you capitalize on that interest, while teaching many important science concepts and demonstrating the effectiveness of technology in helping to identify individuals. We set up a mock crime scene in your classroom, with six students from the class identified as “suspects.” The students then examine hair and fingerprint evidence, conduct a blood typing procedure, and create a DNA fingerprint in the process of solving the crime. Each lab group works to collect evidence that might clear their “suspect” member of the crime. In the course of the lab, we’ll cover topics such as hair structure, fingerprint classification, blood types, antigen/antibody immune response, DNA and genetics…and we’ll use microscopes, micropipettors and electrophoresis equipment. This lab requires four days of class time to complete…and they could be some of the most memorable days your students have in high school science!

Suspects at Heather Kieffer's Line Mountain crime scene, looking especially guilty!	Milton High School students examining hair and blood evidence.	Electrophoresis unit showing DNA fingerprint evidence "in progress."

Summer Workshop Scheduled for the Week of June 16, 2003 - Mark your calendar
When we started to look at the summer calendar, it became clear that there was really only one option for the weeklong summer workshop. Snow days have pushed some school districts into having classes the week of June 9th. Our SIM fiscal year ends June 30. What that leaves is the week of June 16th for the workshop. Once again, the workshop will be open to 20 secondary science teachers. Preference will be given to teachers who did not attend last year’s workshop. Like last year, there will be a stipend awarded to those teachers attending the workshop. We will have more information about the content of the workshop, as well as registration forms, a little later in the spring.

Capitol Day – Tuesday March 4, 2003
Science in Motion at Susquehanna University would like to invite you to “Capitol Day” on Tuesday, March 4, 2003 in Harrisburg. Demonstrations are being planned by each of the eleven participating colleges. It would be a great chance to see what other programs and ideas are being used around the state. Susquehanna University will be sending our Biology and Chemistry Mobile Educators with hands on demonstrations. We will be set up in the Capitol from 9:00 a.m. until late afternoon. If you would like to join us, please call Melanie at 372-4779. I am sure the legislators would love to hear a classroom teacher’s take on the program. If you cannot attend, please call your local state legislators and urge them to stop by and see what a terrific program SIM is. The 2003 - 2004 budget talks are already starting so the more legislators see of the Susquehanna University Program, as well as the entire consortium, the easier it will be for everyone to justify our line item in the budget.

Save a Tree
If you wish to receive this newsletter in electronic format, please send us your e-mail address at sciencemotion@susqu.edu or phone us at 372-4779.