The first graders had a fun week participating in many different activities on the subject of corn, as they were reading their story All About Corn.    The students participated in a simple scientific investigation by using hand lenses as a tool to gather information about corn kernels before and after popping.    After analyzing the corn, the students completed a diagram of the different parts of the kernel and enjoyed their snack of the freshly popped corn.  The next day, they created a flow map to illustrate the sequence of the steps the corn goes through to get from the farm to our table.  The students enjoyed creating a mosaic with corn kernels.   The week was finished off by having a sample of one of the many foods we get from corn - corn chips. 

 

The first graders are also planning to take a field trip to the corn maze at BlueJack Ridge Ranch in Poplarville on November 17^th.  This is a great resource that we now have in Poplarville where students will receive an educational presentation about the farm and the importance of corn and agriculture.  They participate in many activities including a corn maze, hayride, petting zoo, duck race, and kids corral.

Students in the A.P. Biology class titrate a solution of hydrogen peroxide to determine how much hydrogen peroxide is in the solution. The procedure uses the reaction of potassium permanganate with the hydrogen peroxide to determine the amount of hydrogen peroxide present. The class is conducting this experiment to better understand enzymes and an organelle present in eukaryotes, peroxisomes. 

   

Peroxisomes are organelles that contain enzymes that rid the body of toxic compounds like hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide spontaneously decays into water and oxygen but at a slow rate. Our body uses enzymes to hasten the process and rid our body of the hydrogen peroxide at a faster rate. The enzyme our body uses to rid itself of hydrogen peroxide is called catalase.

 

A.P. Biology student Landon Tynes said “It was cool, I learned how to titrate.”

 

The titration process requires patients as students count drops of potassium permanganate until the solution changes colors. Drop by drop, the students averaged 120 drops before equilibrium occurred in the reaction and the solution changed colors.

In last week’s game (9/17) the 7^th grade did it again, defeating the Tomcats 14-12.  On the other hand, the 8^th grade fell apart and fell short, losing 16-32.

 

In this week’s game against the Lumberton Panthers, the 7^th grade remained undefeated as they swarmed the Panthers 6-0, but there was no hope for the 8^th grade as they lost 16-0 leaving them with a 1-2 standing.

 

Come see MPS Hornet Football at their next home game on Monday, September 28.  Go HORNETS!