Sketchnoting Genetics

Students created sketchnotes and thinking maps to show their understanding of genetic terminology. Check out some of their awesome work!

Created by Landry

Created by Tia

Created by Harika 

Created by Kinley

Mutant Squirrels

"Yesterday we did a lab about genetically mutated species. Each table had a different mutation, and we all tried to get candy. The Candy represented Food in the Wild. Some mutations helped like having an extra hand, but some mutations killed, like fork fingers. I learned that mutations can help and hurt the animals in an environment. If we do not take care of the wild, bad mutations can develop. In the end, most survive, but future mutations might end up driving some species extinct."
- Emily H. and Lindy C.

"We did a squirrel mutation lab on April 5, 2017. In this lab, we gave squirrels "mutations" such as fork fingers, three hands, and no thumbs. The worst one was the fork fingers because it was very hard for the "squirrel" to get food. The best one was the three hands because it was already easy with two hands, and it got even easier with three. We learned that mutations may be beneficial for the animal or bad for the squirrel."
- Sownthar P. and Mihir C.

"Yesterday, we did a simulation relating to mutations. Each group was a squirrel that was mutated differently, and we had to collect and open candy (food) from a common food source. I learned that mutations are different form adaptations because mutations are when DNA gets changed in good or bad ways. Organisms that had helpful mutations actually survived and the organisms that had mutations that were a hindrance to their food-eating ability died out. Also, food that was easier to consume usually ran out more."
- Prerana

*Special thanks to all the parents that donated candy for this lab. We really appreciate it!

World Water Day

In honor of World Water Day, CMSE students worked with 23 different schools around the world to test and compare water quality.  We developed "I can" statements to share how we would conserve water and stop water pollution.  Here are some of their thoughts.

"Our World Water Day Project was so much FUN! We went through some really cool stations with some really cool technology, thanks parents for donating money! We got to look at lake water near us, and we actually found a Protist, which is a one cell organism. It was so cool to see microscopic bugs, and organisms in the water, but it was also kind of gross! Whenever you accidentally drink some of the lake water, that is going in your mouth!"
- Emily H.

"Our world is in danger of losing our fresh supply of clean water. It is projected that we will lose all our water in the next decade. We have to stop and take action. Coppell Middle School 7th grade science students are interacting with many other schools across the earth to help save our water for future generations. We have been testing lake water and also learning new and exciting ways to preserve and purify our water."
- Shriya D. and Adrianna B.

We shared our learning with others using an app called FlipGrid. See everyone's responses here!