January 2016! First Semester is Winding Down

After a late start to the school year, we're finally in a groove!  Finals start the first week of February and will continue over the course of three days, February 3, 4, & 5.  The first day are finals for periods 1 and 4; the second day are finals for periods 2 & 5; the third day are finals 3 & 6.

In the Biotechnology Academy this semester, we've had several ongoing projects.  As the projects wind down, we're getting ready for next semester.  Here is a brief recap of the three cohorts.

Biology students recently completed their analysis of their own consumption during a 7-day period. After collecting data in their biology class, they analyzed data in their math classes.

Chemistry students recently completed their Really? essays that asked them to challenge a scientific or pseudoscientific claim.

Genetics students have been learning about genetic disorders and recently submitted their final papers,  then presented major findings from their research.

Biology students observing chemical reactions for color change.

Genetics students modeling protein folding.

Biology students weighing and sorting garbage for consumption project.

Genetic students loading gel for DNA analysis.

Biotech/Biology students returned from WSU Imagine Tomorrow competition

Eight teams of biology students competed in the Imagine Tomorrow competition last weekend at WSU.  This competition challenges students to contemplate a future with alternative energy sources and how to change human behavior to address less dependence on fossil fuels.  We had several creative projects that were judged at the event that includes four states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho,  and Montana.  Ballard Biotech students did an excellent job presenting their ideas to judges during the Saturday.  One of our teams won " Exceptional Teamwork" for their submission on compost to biogas.   Our children are our future!  It was a great weekend competition.

Offloading projects for presentations

Getting posters and presentations ready a day before the judging.

Steppin' up practic before competition.

Algae fueling the household.  Every house could grow their own. Judging session.

Winners! Congratulations for exceptional teamwork.

Student BioExpo was a huge success!

Biotech students completed their capstone projects for 2015. Fifty-two genetics students participated in the NWABR Student BioExpo on May 27, 2015.  The students entered in several categories including: multimedia, drama/dance, art, molecular modeling, teaching, creative writing, music, and SeaVuria.  From the moment students stepped off the bus and arranged their projects, they were poised and engaged with judges throughout the day.  At the awards ceremony, two music groups from Ballard performed live.  It was a fantastic day for all and several students were awarded prizes for their work.

Clara and Anna off loading and getting fired up for their performance.

Debunked Team.  Gabriella, Harper, and Elizabeth. They went on to win first place!

Paloma and Tiara with their SeaVuria presentation.  They went on to win first place!

Margot with her art project depicting the effects of vitiligo over time.

Maddy and Christiana with their music composition presentation.  They won third place!

Enrique and Kito hamming it up before their judging session.

Biotech Chemistry Cohort is Busy!

May is a busy month in the Biotechnology Academy. In chemistry, students learned how to apply chemistry by creating colorful tie-dye shirts.  Lots of creativity, chemical mixing, and imagination were required in order to produce a finished product.  Students all dressed in their clothing during the past week.

Aaron and Jessie display the colorful palette.

Ashlynne places her product in paper for the staining phase.

The Biotech Chemistry students also presented their scientific posters last week.  Students selected their own topics and presented the information and data about their topics to judges in the scientific community.  In their Biotech Language Arts classes, students learned how to write a scientific abstract to include in their poster presentations.

Anxiously awaiting a judge!

One of the Willams twins does a study on twins-which twin is it?

 

Imagine Tomorrow Pre-pre-judging.

Students stepped up their game and presented their Imagine Tomorrow projects to several judges from the science and engineering community.  This year, we have 15 teams competing to be selected to move on to WSU.  We can only bring eight teams for the final competition, so we are having students make two presentations-the first one was on Friday, Feb. 27 and it was designed to be a dress rehearsal.  Students presented their projects to judges and the judges gave students meaningful feedback on how to improve their projects.

Pneumatic high speed train.

Rain water run off generator.

 The next presentation date is on Thursday, April 9.  This date is the actual pre-judging date to determine which groups will move on to WSU at the end of May.

February Eighth Grade Visits Were a Hit!

We had several visitors during the month of February, checking out Ballard High School's variety of offerings.  Both parents and students visited the school throughout the month to experience the day in the life of a high school student.  Many thanks to our  Biotech students who helped with tours and allowed prospective students to shadow them during the day.

Prospective student at eighth grade choices night, visiting the Biotechnology classroom.

UW Medical Center Fieldtrip

On Thursday, genetics students visited the University of Washington Medical Center and Health Sciences.  It was a special opportunity for high school students to visit the UW campus and interact with professionals to learn about college and career opportunities in the medical science fields.  Genetics students, juniors and seniors, participated.  Students visited several different labs including labs in genome sciences, health sciences, and cancer research.
Even though the weather was wet and windy, our students persevered walking in the rain, and hoofing it to the appropriate Metro bus stops for the excursion between Ballard and the UW and back again.

Walking through campus whilst on the tour

Waiting for the amazing presentation of the UW Medical Center program offerings.

Creative artwork in the new Foege Hall, Genome Sciences building

Learning about prostate cancer diagnosis. Students are examining histology preps.

We arrived safe and sound back at Ballard High School.  Thank you weather, for the respite and photo opportunity!