September Science Experiments at Albritton

Cell Membrane Permeability with Ms. Jurgel

Mrs. Jurgel's 7^th Grade Science classes engaged in a lab that modeled a cell membrane and how some materials are able to pass through the membrane, but not others. Students are learning about the semi-permeability of a cell membrane, and this lab shows them this concept in action. 

Students used zippered plastic bags to represent a cell membrane. They placed a starch/water solution inside the bag and sealed it shut. Then, they placed the bags in an iodine and water mixture. They had to wait until the next class to see their results! The iodine is able to pass through microscopic holes in the plastic bag. When it interacts with the starch, it turns a dark purple color, proving that the iodine was able to pass through the bag. Just like a cell membrane, the bag only lets certain substances pass through. 

Mrs. Jurgel formatted a learning goal/essential question around science standard LS1-2, specifically: How do the different parts of a cell work individually and together to keep the cell alive, maintain its structure, and control what enters and leaves? 

LS1-2 Students use the model to describe a causal account for the phenomenon, including how different parts of a cell contribute to how the cell functions as a whole, both separately and together with other structures. Students include how components, separately and together, contribute to:
i. Maintaining a cell’s internal processes, for which it needs energy.
ii. Maintaining the structure of the cell and controlling what enters and leaves the cell.
iii. Functioning together as parts of a system that determines cellular function.

The first set of photos below show Ms. Jurgel's students in the lab.

September Environmental Science Experiments with Ms. Quiles

Please see the second set of photos below for September environmental science experiments with Ms. Quiles. Students tested materials for eco-friendly slippers and designed phone stands to help prevent "text neck."