Science Department Updates

Beginning in the 2012-2013 school year, I will be teaching AP Biology and Nature of Science.  This is the first time that ELGHS will be offering AP Biology, and I'm very excited to a part of it.  This is a college level Biology course that should be considered for students in their Junior or Senior year.  This is particularly appropriate for those students considering a science-based degree or career field.  At the completion of the course students will have the option of taking the AP Biology exam.  A satisfactory score on this exam will grant the student college credits for their first Biology course in college (ex: Biology 101).
Nature of Science will change slightly from previous years in that it will now run for 1 period for the duration of the school year instead of the back to back periods first semester.  The content and approach to the course will be similar to how it has been in the past.
To make room for these courses in my schedule, I will be handing over General Science to Ms. Baxter, who will be teaching Math and Science courses at the high school this year.

Breaking free

Some of the little ones are breaking free from the main group and swimming off on their own.  They have fully formed fins and barbels (whiskers) at this point.  

Growing up!

The little guys are getting bigger and darker every day.  If you look closely you can even see that they already have whiskers.  Here's a video of the group with the female still being very protective.

All Hatched!

Hatching is done.  Here's a quick video of a group of the hatchlings.

Hatching!

The first eggs are starting to hatch.  At this point they do not resemble fish, they appear to be an egg with two eyes and a little white tail.  Here is a quick video of the female on the eggs that have not yet hatched.

Spawning in the Science Room

When I came into school yesterday I got quite the surprise. Overnight, one of my brown bullheads made a nest and laid a mass of eggs. At this point I wasn't sure if one of the other two brown bullheads in the tank was a male to fertilize them, but as the day progressed it seemed that one was displaying nest protecting behavior typical of a male. So the current hypothesis is that we have a true spawning event and that we can expect hatching within the next 6-9 days. 

Spring Migrants

The spring migrants are starting to show up in decent numbers.  The marshes are filling up with male Red-winged blackbirds presenting you the with opportunity to see interesting territorial displays as they compete for their habitat.  The females will be arriving soon and will breed with the males who have set up the best territories.