Outline

//Who are the members of your group?//
Meghan Bleistine, Lynn Palumbo, Timothy J. Smith, and Madeline Velazquez

//What is the contribution of each member?//
Meghan Bleistine- Explain the purpose of assessing critical thinking and describe what to look for to determine if students are thinking critically. Lynn Palumbo- Introduction and characteristics of critical thinkers. Timothy J. Smith- Lead DNA extraction and critical thinking demonstration lesson. Madeline Velazquez-Provide examples of critical thinking activities for the classroom.

//What methodology are you presenting? Give an explanation.//
Critical Thinking

//What is your topic?//
Science

//**What is your objective (What do you want us to learn?)**//
Conduct an experiment and be able to analyze the meaning and importance of DNA.

//How are you teaching this material? (Randomly dividing into groups, individual work, whole class discussion)//
Pairs

//What technology are you using?//
PowerPoint presentation, DNA extraction, Camera

//What activity is included? Give a detailed description.//
//Extraction and unaided observation of human DNA from buccal cells//
 * 1) Make buccal cell solution
 * Fill small cup with 10 ml of water
 * Swish in your mouth for 30 sec (rub teeth along cheeks while swishing for better cell extraction)
 * Return water to cup
 * Using dropper, transfer to test tube
 * 1) Add ~2 ml salt solution to test tube (1 pump)
 * Mix gently with cap on
 * 1) Add ~5 ml soap solution to test tube (3 pumps)
 * Mix very gently with cap on
 * 1) Slowly add 2-propanol to test tube until ~1.5 cm from top of test tube --DO NOT MIX--
 * 2) Observe the interface and top layer in the test tube

//Thinking critically about the experiment//
 * Where did the DNA come from?
 * Was the DNA there before we added the alcohol? If so, why could we only see it after the alcohol was added?
 * What did each of the components we added do to the cells?
 * Why can we see it when it is in the alcohol but not in the aqueous solution?


 * When we say this is your DNA, what assumptions are we making?
 * Is our reasoning sound?
 * Are there any alternatives?
 * How could we test the alternatives to see if they are true?

//What are you doing for a closing to the presentation?//
Using the extracted DNA to clone everyone.