The Science of Dragons - Using Mythical Creatures to Learn About Real Science

This class is taught in English.

Week 1 : Introduction to the Scientific Method in action: Skills every scientist needs, how these skills translate into the cycle of the scientific method, how to keep a scientific journal, how to stay safe while doing science.  (For learners who have taken the 1-shot class this will be a review rather than new material).  Activities and journal assignments will be included for each week.
Week 2: Animal Adaptations (Behavioral and Physical): Learners will identify dragon traits and behaviors (learned and innate) as adaptations and relate to how they can benefit the dragon in its habitat.
Week 3: Dragon Genetics: How are the traits we learned about in week 2 passed on from the parents? Mendelian and Nonmendelian genetics, DNA, and heredity.
Week 4: Fossils and Classification: How are animal groups organized, and how is this related to how they share traits or characteristics? Where did the mythology of dragons come from, and how is it that all cultures have some history of dragons?
What is in a scientific name?

Using the Socratic method in this class means that learners are encouraged to ask questions, of each other and of the instructor, and I will provide guidance via chat or by recording personal videos for students to address their questions.

I have been a scientist for 22 years, working in the field as a marine biologist studying Kemp's Ridley sea turtles in Mexico, and working in veterinary pathology for the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.  For the last 16 years, I have worked in science education, and I have certifications to teach all science courses at the secondary level in both Texas and North Carolina.

Learners will be completing homework projects on their own and submitting them via the classroom on Outschool for grading and peer review.  Projects will vary in length depending on student age and complexity, and student choice boards will be made available to accommodate different types of learners.

Feedback will be provided on a mastery based grading scale as follows:
1 - No materials completed to prove mastery of topic
2 - Minimal understanding of concepts, but attempt was made
3 - Some understanding of concepts but some misconceptions need work
4 - Mastery of concepts and topic with near-complete understanding
5 - Exceeds expectations - learner has developed connections of learning to concepts outside of the boundaries of the class

No live meetings, and an estimated 1 - 2 hours per week outside of class.

We will refer to the How to Train Your Dragon movies, as well as some pop culture references to other movies, books, tv shows.