Description

BioChemistry – The Molecule of Life

DISCOVER big ideas about the very small! Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in Autumn or how water can ‘go up’? Develop deep fundamentals about ‘The Molecule of Life’-WATER and its unique chemistry to investigate the biochemistry of leaves using a scientific technique called chromatography. Through keen observations and investigations, discover water on the molecular level, the atom and its charges, the Periodic Table, and what makes water a polar molecule. TEST your questions! Get hands-on with billions-and-billions of water molecules using scientific tools, procedures, and 3D modeling. STEAMwhiz Kids will also design a chromatography test that will investigate photosynthetic pigments of leaves that capture energy from the visible light spectrum and are responsible for the brilliant colors we see. Each test will make abstract, serious science concrete, and absolutely seriously fun! ANALYZE your results! Find the small moments of “ah-ha!” while collecting data from investigations, analyzing graphs, tables, graphics, and lab demonstrations. Apply your project-based learning to compare the color molecules in many different plant sources. Brainstorm, manipulate variables, test, collect data and analyze results. CREATE your own 3D molecular models and 3-D Prints! SW Kids will use the engineering design process to create the ultimate 3D-Printed model in their culminating ‘Show-What-You-Know’ Molecule of Life Challenge, using both high and low-tech tools such as CAD software, 3-D printing, and more! While making keen observations, asking insightful questions, and learning exciting new things, your STEAMwhiz Kid will also be creating and developing their growth mindset with the time and space to fail & succeed!

What we are doing now!!

Session details

What is it? A 10-week guided science course + 2-weeks of additional fun

• A 1 hr. weekly, in-person lab for 10-weeks from Sep. 13th – Dec 10th, that will stimulate your children to use and develop their analytical and critical thinking skills
• Gather your Learning POD (3 to 6 lab participants) and let STEAMwhiz do the rest!
• 2 weeks are included for makeups and a class field trip! This semester we will go leaf-peeping at Lake George!

Who is it for? Capital District Kids

• Ages 8-15 (Grouped developmentally)
• Homeschoolers, eLearners, & In-Person Students
• The STEAMwhiz Lab is located in Guilderland, NY.
• Parents are welcome to stay and access private lab streaming from the comfort of their car live on their mobile device from our parking drive (or @home), or take a much-needed break to run an errand or two.

Time Commitment? 1 hour each week for 10-weeks

• Together with your Learning POD, select your day and time above

Course Goals? In this series of hands-on, inquiry labs, students will be able to identify, describe, apply, and understand:

• • Chemistry is the study of matter
  • Biochemistry is the application of chemistry to the study of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level
  • Matter is made up of extremely tiny particles called atoms and molecules.
  • Atoms and molecules make up the three common states of matter on Earth—solids, liquids, and gases.
  • The particles of a liquid are attracted to one another, are in motion, and are able to move past one another.
  • Being a solid, liquid, or gas is a property of a substance.
  • Atoms are made of extremely tiny particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons.
  • Protons and neutrons are in the center of the atom, making up the nucleus.
  • Electrons surround the nucleus.
  • Protons have a positive charge.
  • Electrons have a negative charge.
  • The charge on the proton and electron are exactly the same size but opposite.
  • Neutrons have no charge.
  • Since opposite charges attract, protons and electrons attract each other.
  • The periodic table is a chart containing information about the atoms that make up all matter.
  • An element is a substance made up of only one type of atom.
  • The atomic number of an atom is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus.
  • The number of electrons surrounding the nucleus of an atom is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus.
  • Different atoms of the same element can have a different number of neutrons.
  • Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons are called “isotopes” of that element.
  • The atomic mass of an element is the average mass of the different isotopes of the element.
  • The atoms in the periodic table are arranged to show characteristics and relationships between atoms and groups of atoms.
  • The water molecule, as a whole, has 10 protons and 10 electrons, so it is neutral.
  • In a water molecule, the oxygen atom and hydrogen atoms share electrons in covalent bonds, but the sharing is not equal.
  • In the covalent bond between oxygen and hydrogen, the oxygen atom attracts electrons a bit more strongly than the hydrogen atoms.
  • The unequal sharing of electrons gives the water molecule a slight negative charge near its oxygen atom and a slight positive charge near its hydrogen atoms.
  • When a neutral molecule has a positive area at one end and a negative area at the other, it is a polar molecule.
  • Water molecules attract one another based on the attraction between the positive end of one water molecule and the negative end of another.
  • Define chromatography
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the process of chromatography
  • Describe and apply the steps involved in a chromatography investigation
  • Isolate and identify photosynthetic pigments in deciduous leaves
  • Relationship between lightwaves, color pigments, and Autumn leaves

Instructors? The STEAM Team

STEAM-Team or Dream Team? 😉 This lab is taught by STEAMwhiz’s lead educator Allie P. She is certified in K-6th education, published STEM education work in a peer-reviewed journal, and has over 15 years of classroom experience and curriculum development. The lab is overseen by STEAMwhiz’s scientist Dr. J who holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences has worked as a physicist at premier U.S. research institutions, as well as an engineer at fortune 500 companies, and authored over a dozen publications in top-tier journals. Together they are driven by their passion to empower students to develop their analytical and critical thinking, necessary to prepare them for the future.

COVID-19 Safety

At STEAMwhiz we are guided by the best-known science and follow the most conservative, best practices to ensure your children and our educators are safe.

• Sick/Symptomatic Guidelines – any child that shows any symptoms that are related to, been in contact with, or contracted COVID-19 within the last 14 days should stay home. Related symptoms include but are not limited to: fever, runny nose, shortness/difficulty breathing, cough,  loss of taste or smell, nausea/vomiting, sore throat, diarrhea. If you have any doubt please contact us before bringing your child.
• Temperature checks – all people entering the lab will be required to have their temperature taken via a non-contact infrared thermometer.
• HVAC system – The STEAMwhiz lab has a dedicated air handler that is constantly filtering air 24hr a day and 7 days a week. The MERV filters being used are rated eleven or better and have been tested in our labs to remove particles down to 0.1 microns (similar to N95 masks).
• Laboratory Decontamination – On top of the air being cleansed 24/7, the STEAMwhiz lab is decontaminated after every session. All hard surfaces are wiped down using a bleach solution and the lab is exposed to UVC radiation nightly.
• Masks – Your child we be required to wear a mask within the STEAMwhiz lab.
• Social distancing – There will be a maximum of 6 children per session in the lab and social distancing protocols will be followed.

Billing

Reserve your spot today and pay later! The first billing cycle starts on Sep. 13, 2021, and will be automatically billed each subsequent month on Oct. 13th and Nov. 13th.