Sunday, January 17, 2016
10:00 - 12:00; 120 min.
Biology:
The effect of Alcohol on Catalase -
Netra and I examined her data and worked on wording the introduction, and hypothesis. We discussed the manner in which she should organize her data into tables and graphs, and laid the groundwork for her conclusions and suggestions.

July 27, 2015
Monday 210 min
11:00 - 2:30
AP Biology - Chapter 56 Conservation Biology
I administered test for Chapter 56. This consists of approximately 100 multiple choice questions similar to self-test questions included in the AP Biology text, provided by Campbell Reece AP Biology eighth edition test bank.

July 29, 2015 part 2
Wednesday 420 min
08:00 - 02:00
AP Bilolgy -Lab exercise. - Population Lab, mark re-capture population study
Keaton participated in the dolphin survey from 8am to 3 pm on Wed July 27. He assisted with the survey, taking a position to scan while we searched for dolphins. He assisted with data collection, keeping the data log current and photographing dolphins as they were encountered. He also served as crew, helping with the various functions on the boat especially during docking maneuvers. Finally he was tasked with writing a short essay about his experience with the Palm Beach Dolphin project, which may be included in the project’s social media efforts. It has been a joy working with such a remarkable young scholar.

July 29, 2015 part one
Wednesday 240 min
08:00 - 03:00
AP Bilolgy -Lab exercise. - Population Lab, mark re-capture population study
Keaton participated in the dolphin survey from 8am to 3 pm on Wed July 27. He assisted with the survey, taking a position to scan while we searched for dolphins. He assisted with data collection, keeping the data log current and photographing dolphins as they were encountered. He also served as crew, helping with the various functions on the boat especially during docking maneuvers. Finally he was tasked with writing a short essay about his experience with the Palm Beach Dolphin project, which may be included in the project’s social media efforts. It has been a joy working with such a remarkable young scholar.

July 24, 2015
Friday 150 min
01:30 - 03:30
Biology - chapter 56 - conservation biology
Keaton and I discussed the two concepts covered in chapter 56 of the text. Conservation Biology integrates ecology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, and evolutionary biology to conserve biological diversity at all levels. Efforts to sustain ecosystem processes and stem the loss of biodiversity connect the life sciences with the social sciences, economics, and humanities. We discussed biodiversity associated with human welfare and the value of ecosystem services. We examined the numbers of endangered and threatened species worldwide, and the affect of invasive and introduced species. Keaton examined rates of species extinction as well as the potential value of species lost (medical, chemical, and nutritional). Restoration ecology applies ecological principles to return ecosystems that have been disturbed by human activities. Keaton and I had a long discussion about using real world case studies (as well as my personal efforts) to mediate environmental destruction. We ended the class with a conversation about how sustainable development and the mindset people must adopt to ever achieve this goal. Finally we talked about what will happen when the human population reaches carrying capacity, and when that would most likely occur.

July 22, 2015
Wednesday 390 min
08:00 - 02:30
Lab exercise. - Population Lab, mark re-capture population study
Data collection started at the Marina, where Keaton met the boat and was handed a data collection form to record the survey start data and instructed how to add data at various point during the day. We left the marina and headed out the Jupiter inlet. The west winds made the seas flat and calm. We followed a survey track, just 2 kilometers from shore heading south. Keaton and the other researchers were tasked with watching for signs of dolphins, or turtles, over a 45-degree section, in a manner that provided a 360 degree coverage around the boat. Keaton, and the other observers were directed to share the binoculars to scan the horizon every 15 minutes, looking for signs of dolphin behavior. Keaton was also asked to take a turn driving the boat while the captain did his scan with the binoculars. Once dolphins were seen, we maneuvered the boat closer to their location. The encounter consisted of several mother dolphins teaching their calves to ‘catch’ food. The mom’s threw a piece of fish in the air, and the calves instructed to catch the food before it hit the water. Keaton was tasked with filling in the data sheets during the encounter and recording the observations I describe while I gathered photographic data. After observing, photographing and recording observations for an hour or so, we returned to the survey track and continued south. We finished a survey (Jupiter inlet to Palm Beach inlet) and ventured south to the lake park pier. We then turned around and conducted a survey north from Lake Worth to Jupiter. We encountered a traveling group of eight dolphins during the northern survey. The boat was parked at the marina at 2:30 and Keaton helped carry the gear to the parked cars.

July 20, 2015
Monday 120 min
11:00 - 2:30
Biology - lab review and analysis.
Keaton started with addressing the data he had collected during his first field lab. He was tasked with creating a table and a line chart of the salinity data, and completing his scientific notebook entries. Once this was completed we reviewed the field process and how the data reflects the expected salinity found in the open ocean compared to sections of the river and the intra-coastal waterway. We discussed how and why these data would occur. Keaton prepared for the next field lab to be conducted on Wednesday. We then reviewed the chapter section on ecosystems.

June 23, 2015
Wednesday 240 min
08:00 - 12:00
Lab exercise. - Population Lab, self directed lab: water salinity testing
Keaton participated in a field data collection survey of the Palm Beach dolphin project. He assisted with the boat launch, and set up a salinity test area. Keaton had chosen three sites inside the Jupiter inlet, to collect water samples for salinity tests. He instructed the crew where to stop and collected samples at each site. He used a salinometer to test each sample and recorded his findings on a clip board. He diligently cleaned the equipment with distilled water between each sample collection. We proceeded outside the Jupiter inlet, where Keaton assisted the dolphin survey and was tasked with watching the starboard stern area for fins. He assisted the program director, and the lead intern during the search. Once dolphins were found, he assisted the crew in keeping the animals in sight during challenging weather conditions. Keaton was given opportunity to assist with data collection, and worked well with the others members of the crew. Once the dolphin survey was completed he collected additional water samples for his salinity experiment; outside the Palm Beach inlet, and in the intracoastal waterway.

June 23, 2015
Tuesday 180 min
09:00 - 12:00
Lab exercise. - herbarium laboratory, Population Lab
Keaton returned his attention to complete the herbarium laboratory he started in May. Removing the pages from the plant press, he reordered his specimens to create representations of simple/complex leaf samples and parallel, palmate, and netted venation patterns. He created labels and mounted his specimens. This done, Keaton turned his attention to the lab he designed last week. He reviewed his lab report, methods and materials he will need to conduct his experiment. He created field data sheets to carry into the field, and prepared a container of distilled water to use on the boat to clean the equipment between tests. We also reviewed the mark-recapture study outlined in the text. Keton will assist with such a study tomorrow. He will also be testing his salinity test process tomorrow during the field laboratory trip.

June 22, 2015
Monday 60 min
12:30 - 01:30
Chapter 55 Ecosystems
As a change in pace, we used some additional materials to explore the basis of ecosystem ecology. Starting with a review of population and community ecology, we continued to explore the energy budget of the earth. We watched a NASA video describing missions that have taken place in the past few years, designed in exploration of this energy budget. Solar radiation interacts with aerisols and greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere. We discussed the energy flow and various chemical cycling/recycling processes that allow for the biosphere including the carbon cycle, the water cycle, and the nitrogen cycle. We also investigated the other spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, geosphere etc.) of investigation when studying ecosystems.