Paul Kessler moved to the area from Newton, Iowa this year. He teaches Biology and Anatomy and Physiology.

What units are covered in these classes? In Biology an introduction to how science works, the chemistry of the cell, ecology, the cell, genetics, creation, Microorganisms and Fungi, Plants, Invertebrate Animals, and Chordate Animals are covered. In Anatomy and Physiology the nervous system; the skeletal, muscular, and integumentary systems; the circulatory and respiratory systems, digestive systems, and the human genome are explored. 

Some recent activities in Paul’s classes included a lab involving salsa and chips. They checked to see if eating salsa would have an affect on body temperature. In Anatomy and Physiology they have been studying the nervous system and have just finished a dissection of sheep brains. Students were able to closely examine different structures within the brain. Currently they are working on a lab where they are sorting playing cards in various ways and studying the influence of complexity on sorting time. The complexity of card sorts will be related to nerve pathways and the parts of the brain through which the nerve impulses pass before muscles are activated to sort the cards. Students will be designing their own experiment to influence sort time.

In biology class, students will be starting their long term project for the semester.  They will be gathering data on fast plants and will compare the growth of two varieties of the same plant. Later in the bacteria chapter students will conduct an experiment where they will collect bacteria samples from around the school and then grow them on Petrifilm plates. They will design an experiment to try various antibacterial products on their samples and record the effects.

Paul states some of his goals for his students this year. “I want students to have a thorough understanding of the scientific method so that they can design their own experiments and write their own scientific reports.I hope to encourage their curiosity. I also want them to understand how faith applies to science.”

Parents can help their student in Paul’s class by being aware of their assignments. Paul explains, “I give every student a packet that covers the chapter. I often go over main ideas with students the day before the test. These are the materials that they need to study before a test. After every test I print a grade report for students so that they know if they are missing any work. They have a week after receiving the grade sheet to turn in any makeup work.” 

Paul talks about some of his challenges in teaching the subject. “Some areas of science can be much easier to apply faith to than others. Keeping science interesting for students can be challenging. I use a lab based approach to teaching science which helps keep students engaged.”

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Students recently collected leaves on the IMS campus for Biology class as part of the Ecology unit.  Since then, students have been learning how to use keys to identify tree species.  This is part of a larger ongoing project.  The last step will be for students to create herbarium specimens of their leaves. They may also work with a missions organization whose projects include working with people to plant trees in areas of the world that are suffering from the effects of deforestation.  This project has yet to be finalized