The science program is in full swing.
The grade 9 and 10 applied and academic sciences have been busily working through their chemistry units. Both grades begin the year with a unit on chemistry. This allows teachers to review lab safety and procedures with their students to ensure a safe environment. This unit also allows students to enhance their laboratory skills as special emphasis is put on developing observational skills and writing lab reports. Teachers have been working hard to provide their junior science students with chemical reactions that allow students to observe chemical changes, to verify the law of conservation of mass and to observe single and double displacement reactions. Grade 10 academic students will finish their units with a titration lab.
Congratulations to Miss Gullons! One of her research papers is under review for publication in the prestigious Journal of American Chemical Society. The paper is about the kinetics of the metallation of the metalothionein protein and its folding states. Essentially, it is a sulphur containing protein that binds transition metals found in living organisms. The exciting part of this research is that it may have an environmental aspect by producing genetically engineered plants that would absorb heavy metals in contaminated soil. Cleaning up the environment with more plants!
FYI: The first units in the senior sciences are nearing their end. Students may expect tests in the coming few weeks. Extra help is always available! Teachers are also available to provide study tips to avoid test anxiety.
Roger Levert
Curriculum Leader
Science