WILDCARDS

1st day of class activity intended to make students think about science. Can be used in any science course.
 * Sandra:** [[file:Science Discovery Puzzle.docx]]


 * Amy's Wildcard: Cell Part Pass**
 * Background:** Can be used in Grade 10 Biology Strand as a diagnostic assessment to see how much students retained from Grade 8 Science.

Have stations set up with the 3 following sheets. You may want to have pens of 3 different colours also available at these stations (this keeps students accountable during the activity). Tell students that the task is to complete the chart matching the cell part name to the appropriate letter on the diagram, as well as to the proper function (also indicated by a letter). The catch: this is a non-verbal activity and students must pass along the chart and take turns filling it in without talking! If a "mistake" is caught, other members of the group would have to convince the writer otherwise by physical gestures or pointing. Collect sheets at end to assess their prior knowledge before teaching the Cells and Tissues Unit.

To introduce the basic mechanisms by which genetic traits are inherited by each parent. This resources includes, student instructions, marking scheme and student worksheets.
 * Ewa's Wildcard: Beaker Babies**
 * Background: Genetics Unit**


 * Stuart's Wildcard: The Huntington's Diagnosis: To Know or not to Know**




 * Emily's Wildcard: Carbon Snake Demo**

Background:
 * This is a dehydration reaction that is highly exothermic so be cautious.**
 * C12H22O11 (sugar) + H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) → 12 C + 11 H2O (water as steam) + mixture water and acid **


 * Materials:**
 * 20 mL concentrated sulfuric acid (10-18 Molar)
 * Sucrose 50 mL
 * Pyrex beaker (long and thin is most impressive)
 * glass stirring rod
 * Fume hood or excellent ventilation
 * Googles and gloves

Notes: You can use this demo to show energy contained within the bonds of simple sugars (SBI4U strand B) or to illustrate a chemical change (SNC1D strand B). I like to use it as an assessment for using physical and chemical properties and evidence of a chemical change. I've included a sample of what the assessment sheet would look like and then I usually have follow-up questions or further assessment questions on the back to assess whatever topic we have just covered such as qualitative vs. quantitative properties. I usually take it up the same class by way of peer assessment. You can also have students sketch the materials while they are waiting for you to proceed. **Disposal:** Once carbon is washed, regular organic waste.


 * __Lena's Wildcard:__**
 * __Paper-clip polymer magic__**
 * FocusQuestion: Explain the action of a paper ezyme as it relates to a real enzyme-catalyze reaction.
 * 1) Fold paper along solid line (//fold//);
 * 2) Next attach a paper-clip on the back two layers on Active site #1 and only the front two layers on site #2. Remember: back two layers on #1, front two layers on #2.
 * 3) Now pull brisky ends apart to activate.
 * 4) Watch in amazement as mono-clips (paperclips) become joined into di-clipides!
 * 5) Challenge students to design other larger 'clipides' (tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, etc...)
 * Materials Required: 2 Paper-clips per student (colourful paper-clips are recommended but not necessary), cut outs of paper enzyme thingy (click on link below)



=Maria's Wildcards=

[|cornstarch and water] =Karen's Wildcard=
 * building the tallest tower with a piece of paper and a meter of tape**
 * Handcuffs -**
 * Inquiry cube**


 * Snowball**

=Nick's Demo=


 * **Google Directory** - A website controled by google and peer reviewed by members of the academic community to produce a search engine that searches solely for peer reviewed web pages.
 * **Google Calculator -** Google is a calculator, feel free to punch in numbers and let google calculate things for you
 * **Google Dictionary -** Google can be used as a dictionary by following very simple steps: type in define: (term)
 * **Google Free ware -** Freeware is free software that can be used to do a plethora of activities and no company has more freeware that is very useful than Google. Examples of programs include:
 * Google Earth
 * Google Moon
 * Google Mars
 * Google Sky
 * Google Ocean
 * Google Sketchup
 * Google Chrome
 * Picasa
 * Google Talk
 * NOTE - These are only for google, I will produce a post with more freeware that can be used on PC and Mac
 * **Google Advanced Search -** Using the advanced search can really help specify what you are looking for

=Dave's Periodic Table Cards= I must credit getting the idea for these cards to my instructor, John Vince, in teacher's college at Queen's University. <-- Word 2007 Version <-- Word 97-2003 Version

**Wildcard**:Blowing Fire **Materials**:match, candle, tube, cornstarch, and a scoop/knife **Setup**:Light the candle, allow time for flame to grow. Stuff tube with an 5-10 cm of cornstarch. Turn off the lights. Aim the side of the tube with cornstarch in it, just above the flame. Blow on the other end of the tube to produce a large flame. **Discussion**: Why does the cornstarch not burst into flame when lit on the desk? What are the three necessities for combustion to occur? How would this knowledge help you in building a fire? How would this knowledge help you if you were fleeing a burning building?
 * SEAN'S WILDCARD- BLOWING FIRE**

Nate's Wild Card-The Puzzling Quarters