9th Graders Explore the Biochemistry and Properties of Water
How does water get to the top of trees while climbing against the force of gravity? Why do we use soap and water to wash our hands? In a recent Assignment in Biology, 9th grade students first explored the essential question “What are the properties of water?” by directly observing the special behavior of water in the classroom.
Students used their observations to construct an understanding of water's properties and explain why water is essential for life.
Next, students explored the essential question, “What biochemistry explains the properties of water?” and investigated how liquids with different chemical properties behaved.
Students are working to apply their learning from this Assignment in a project in which they will use biochemistry and data provided by the city to analyze and explain temperature patterns in different NYC neighborhoods.