Welcome to Honors Biology 2

1. Welcome to Honors Biology 2 Mrs. Kathy Crisi

2. T • Background • Experience – ancient! (6th – 12th grades) • Extracurricular – Class Sponsor, Interact Club • Science Department Chair • Courses • Family

3. Honors Biology 2 • This course is conducted in partnership with the Brain Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh. The theme throughout the year will be neurological disease with an emphasis on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. • Course Content: • Introduction to Neuroscience • Neurons & Glia • Neuronal Membrane at Rest • Action Potential • Synaptic Transmission • Neurotransmitter Systems

4. Honors Biology 2 • Course Content (continued): • Structure of the Nervous System • Spinal Control of Movement • Brain Control of Movement • Chemical Systems • Brain & Behavior • The Changing Brain (includes brain evolution, brain wiring, memory, and learning) • Midterm on material from first semester. • Final on material from second semester.

5. Honors Biology 2 • Textbook: Bear, M.F., Connors, B.W., & Paradiso, M.A. (2016). Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, 4th Edition. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Wolters Kluwer • Students will be also reading several novels written by ALS patients and their families as well as a variety of scientific journal articles. • Throughout the year, students will participate in small groups to help tackle research questions posed by our partner researchers at Pitt and to explore special topics in the field of neuroscience.

6. Honors Biology 2 • Grading • Weighted system • Summative Assessments (60%) • Homework (15%) • Other (25%)- This includes labs, projects, classwork etc. • Grades posted on SKYWARD • LATE/ABSENT • 10% of the value of the assignment will be deducted from the grade for everyday the assignment is late. • Note “Quick Check Homework” assignments cannot be turned in late for any credit. • See Student-Parent Handbook for info regarding make-up work for absences.

7. Honors Biology 2Course Policies (Continued) • Policies relate to tests/quizzes: • If you are absent the day of a test/quiz, be prepared to take the test/quiz the next day. (Exceptions made only for extreme emergencies.) • If you are absent the day before the test, you are still expected take the test on the day it is scheduled. (Exceptions made only for extreme emergencies.)

8. Honors Biology 2 • Hints for success (shared with students): • Pay attention. • Study outside of class. • Study your notes every night! • Stay organized. • Set priorities. • Seek out help when needed.

9. Honors Biology 2 • Teacher Responsibilities as shared with students: • I’m here to help you succeed. So, I will… • Be prepared and organized for class. • Be available for extra help outside of class. • Provide a safe classroom environment. 4. Check your work, keep record of completed and missing assignments, and post grades on SKYWARD. 5. Give you prompt feedback for your efforts.

10. Honors Biology 2 • Be sure to bring all of these materials to class everyday: • 3-ring binder (1½ to 2 inches thick) with dividers • Loose leaf paper for notes section of notebook • Writing utensils (#2 pencils and pens– black or blue ink) • Completed assignments

11. Looking Forward to a Great Year! • Year of Transition! • Year of Decision Making • Year of Leadership • Year of Emotion! • It will go by quickly-enjoy!

12. Honors Biology 2—A Unique Partnership with the University of Pittsburgh School Board Presentation by Lizzy Cannella, Sarah Merriwether, & Jared Ray June 3, 2019

13. Initial Connection with Pitt • Rocco Scalzi, Founder of Beating the Odds Foundation, had been misdiagnosed with ALS and it changed his life. He established a partnership with the Brain Institute at Pitt. • Quarterbacks of Life- 5 Stepping Stones to Success • Dreams & Goals • Self-Awareness • Team Support • Decide & Plan • Positive Mental Attitude

14. To reinforce the 5 Stepping Stones, we have been reading Tim Shaw’s “Blitz Your Life: Stories from a NFL and ALS Warrior” and completing reflection journals. • Tim is an ALS patient with an enthusiasm for life. • He is a former Penn State linebacker. • He also played in the NFL for several teams including the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans.

15. Our Partnership with the Brain Institute at Pitt • We had the opportunity to travel to Pitt twice (in September and in April). • While at Pitt, we interacted with a variety of neuroscience researchers including: • Chris Donnelly, PhD • Udai Pandey, PhD • David Lacomis, MD • Julia Kofler, MD • Christi Kolarcik, PhD

16. Training Certificates in Chemical Hygiene and Bloodborne Pathogens • Prior to working in the labs at Pitt, we all completed online trainings to earn certificates for: • Chemical Hygiene • Bloodborne Pathogens • This gave us insight into the risks associated with research and the necessary precautions scientists must take when working in a lab setting.

17. Chris Donnelly, PhD • Works in the Department of Neurobiology at Pitt • His lab uses induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) neurons and glia from ALS patients to study the molecular pathogenesis of neurodegeneration.

18. In Dr. Donnelly’s Lab, we…examined neurons under a confocal microscope!

19. In Dr. Donnelly’s Lab, we…learned about tissue culture and viewed stem cells under a microscope.

20. Udai Pandey, PhD • Works in the Department of Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh • His lab uses fruit fly models to examine the molecular mechanisms of ALS.

21. In Dr. Pandey’s Lab, we…learned about his research and participated in a small group discussion.

22. David Lacomis, MD • Is a physician in the Department of Neurology • He spoke to us about the the tests he conducts to diagnose a patient with ALS. • He answered our questions regarding treatment options for ALS patients, provided insight into the cost of medications, and highlighted the importance of NIH funding.

23. Julia Kofler, MD • Is a physician in the Department of Pathology • She spoke to us about the neuropathology of ALS. • She gave us slides with slices of brains taken from actual ALS. We were able to examine the slides under microscopes in our classrooms at GVHS so we could view the pathology of ALS first hand!

24. Christi Kolarik, PhD • Is a neuroscientist at Pitt and on theALS Association National Board of Trustees • She brought in people from the ALS Association of Western Pennsylvania to show us some of the assistive technologies used by ALS patients. • We had heard about these assistive technologies from the ALS books we have read.

25. Thanks to Dr. Kolarcik, we…practiced using a spelling board with an OT and with our peers. This is same type of spelling board Stephen Hawking used to communicate shortly after he lost his ability to speak!

26. Thanks to Dr. Kolarcik, we…met with an occupational therapist who allowed us to try using eye gaze control systems to synthesis speech.

27. Thanks to Dr. Kolarcik, we… met with a wheel chair specialist and we were able to sit in and operate wheel chairs with features designed to help give ALS patients more independence.

28. Dave, an ALS patient • In addition, we have worked with Rocco Scalzi and his “Beating the Odds Foundation”. • Rocco brought an ALS patient, Dave, to our school in September. • We met with Dave again at Pitt in April. We saw how much his ALS progressed since we first met him in September. • We were amazed by Dave’s upbeat spirit!

29. Dave, an ALS patient

30. Thank you for supporting our Pitt partnership!!

31. Fundraiser for ALS • Senior Variety Show raised $3,065 for the ALS Association in Honor of Dave!