SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

MISSION STATEMENT

Empowering students to think critically about the world around them, contribute to a global scientifically based society and affect change.

GOALS

100 % of students will score proficient or advanced on the Maryland

High School Assessment for Biology

Provide rigor in lessons that will challenge student thinking, further

engage students and create a desire to want to learn more at higher levels

Increase student interest in the sciences and increase the number of

students seeking science related career pathways

Provide learning environments that develop student leaders where

students take ownership of their educational experiences.

Provide relevant professional development opportunities

COURSE OFFERINGS

Biology Chemistry Physics

AP Biology AP Chemistry Environmental Science

Microbiology Physiology AP Physics

Bio-Organic Chemistry Geology Genetics

DEPARTMENTAL STAFF

Hameed Sharif

Chauntia Bego

Erin Lukomska-Schlauch

La’Sharne Bing-Cotton

Rochelle Cavanaugh-Rouse

Shelly Williams

Biology

Hameed Sharif Co-Teacher Coordinator APC Certified Biology Buffalo State College Buffalo, New York Courses: Bio-Technology, HSA Biology

Chauntia Bego

Co-Teacher Coordinator APC Certified Biology

BS Medical Technology

Morgan State University

Baltimore, MD

MAT, Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Courses: AP Biology, HSA Biology

La’Sharne Bing-Cotton Certified in Biology 7-12

BS Biology

Texas Southern University

Houston, Texas

MA Educational Administration

Prarie View A&M University

Prarie View, Texas

Courses: HSA Biology, Environmental Science

Rochelle Cavanaugh-Rouse

APC Biology, 7-12

M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction

University of Maryland College

College Park, MD

Courses: HSA Biology, Integrated Science

Erin Lukomska-Schlauch Certified Biology, 7-12

BS Biology, MsEd Secondary Education

University of Maryland College Park

College Park, MD

Courses: HSA Biology, Genetics

Shelly Williams APC Biology 7-12, Administration BS Biology North Carolina Central University Durham, NC MsEd Educational Administration Supervision Virginia State University Petersburg, VA EdS Higher Education Adult Education Appalachian State University Boone, NC Courses: HSA Biology, Integrating the Sciences, Forensic Science, Environmental Science

DEPARTMENTAL STAFF

Amal Daham

Lisza Morton-Wilson

Patrice Payton

Nelian A. Tolentino

Chemistry

Amal Daham

APC in chemistry

American University of Washington DC

Washington, DC

M.S. in Analytical chemistry

Courses: Chemistry, S/T Chemistry and AP Chemistry

Lisza Morton-Wilson APC Biology

BS Biology

Hampton University

MS Biology

Hampton Graduate College

Courses: Chemistry, Bio-Organic Chemistry, Research Practicum

Patrice Payton BS Chemistry

Morgan State University

Baltimore, MD

MS Chemistry

Univerity of Illinois

Chicago, IL

Courses: Chemistry, Environmental Science

Nelian A. Tolentino Certification: CHEMISTRY 7-12

BS Chemistry

Phillippine Normal University

MS Teaching Chemistry

De La Salle University

Courses: Chemistry, S/T Chemistry

DEPARTMENTAL STAFF

Edem Andy

Leonilla Demaio

Allan M. Lizardo

Tedros Tekie

Physics

Edem Andy APC Physics

BS, MS

University of Calabar

Calabar, Nigeria

University of Port Harcourt

Harcourt, Nigeria

Courses: Integrating the Sciences, Physics

Leonilla Demaio APC Physics BS Education, Physics-Mathematics University of San Carlos M.Ed Physics De La Salle University Philippines Courses: Physics, Integrating the Sciences

Allan M. Lizardo

Certified: Mathematics 7-12,

Physical Science 7-12, Physics 7-12

BS Chemical Engineering

MS Chemical Engineering

Courses: Geology, Integrating the Sciences

Tedros Tekie APC Physics

BS, Physis in Addis Ababa University;

MS Hydrology in IHE Delft Netherlands

Courses: Integrating the sciences, Physics, AP Physics

STUDENT SUCCESS The Charles Herbert Flowers Science Department is dedicated to providing the resources students need in order to succeed. We understand student success is dependent not only upon effective instruction and planning but also identifying and providing key interventions to assist students when formative assessment demonstrates deficiencies in mastery. Each sub-department provides 2 hours of after school tutoring per week provided by subject area instructors. Through partnerships with stakeholders such as University of Maryland and Prince Georges Community College, we also have volunteer tutors who come in and work with our students to enhance their skills in science.

ANNUAL SCIENCE FAIR Spotlights the efforts of our students in science, technology and engineering

Students work on individually designed and implemented research, analyze data, and present their work in

this fair.

Through partnerships with Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, NASA and other

related private and federal agencies judges volunteer their time and expertise and score the students’ work

Judges also form relationships with our students and serve as mentors in research projects and other

school and career focuses.

Winners of the Charles Herbert Flowers science fair go on to compete at the regional Prince Georges County

Science Fair. As a result, we have had numerous students receive awards, scholarships and gift certificates for

the work they have done.

Collaboration with other departments in the school. The Art department designs the programs, the TV

Productions team publicizes the event and the Culinary Arts Department Pro-Start Students provide lunch for

our judges and participants providing time for further collaboration and networking.

SCIENCE FAIR HIGHLIGHTS

RESEARCH PRACTICUM SYMPOSIUM

Students focus on yearlong research with mentors in laboratories

in various private industry and government agencies

Students present research and data in a formal symposium before

an audience of peers, mentors and educators

Tagged Mutation Approach to Study the Pathogenecity of a Fungus Fusarium Oxysporum fsp.gladioli

Methodology 1. Two week old culture was grown in FOG isolates in PDA at 22 C. 2.Gladiolus corms were taken out from cold room and acclimatized at room temperature in the dark the day before the experiment. 3. 5ml sterile distilled water was added to isolates and scraped mildly with a scrapper. 1 ml of spore suspension was collected on a 1.5 ml sterile eppendorf tube. 4. Spore suspension was stirred by flicking 5 times and then the sterile lancet needle was dipped in the suspension and pricked to defined depth on the periphery of the corm. 5.Corms were artificially wound at four sites 6.Corms were incubated at 22 C for 3 days in the dark. Corms were then put in brown paper bags and kept at room temperature in the dark. 7.Measurement of external diameter of infection of the corms were taken and then corms were cut into two halves. 8. Measurement of the depth and spread of infection were taken. Pictures were taken when needed. 9.After 4-6 weeks of infection, evaluation was done by using disease rating scale ranging from 1 to 5, 1 being no infection and 5 being 51-100% of the surface covered with mycelium.

Findings The transformed FOG clones showed wide variations of pathogenecity when inoculated to gladiolus corms.

Conclusion The transformed FOG clones showed wide variations of pathogenicity when inoculated to gladiolus corms. Some of the transformed FOG clones were more pathogenic than the wild type (i.e., untransformed) FOG isolate, whereas, some transformed FOG clones were less pathogenic than the wild type FOG. This observation supported the hypothesis that Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of the fungus also caused mutations in the pathogen. In future, the high or low virulence FOG clones will be utilized to molecularly identify the site of mutations in the fungus and thereby, correlate those genes for pathogenecity of the fungus on gladiolus corms. This will enable the plant pathologists to develop better control methods against the pathogen.

Introduction Agrobacterium tumefacien (A.tumefaciens) is a plant pathogenic bacterium present in soil which causes crown galls and tumors in plants. Its ability to cause tumors in plants is due to the transferring of certain genes residing in the extra-chromosomal element called Ti-plasmid. The new genes are transplanted at random locations in the host chromosomes. Researchers have engineered this bacterium to inactivate its gall-producing ability without affecting its ability to transfer any gene(s) of interest. In the process of introducing novel genes, the A. tumefaciens also causes random mutations by disruption at the site of integration on any host gene.

Environmental Club • Philosophy Bringing awareness of the importance of caring for the

environment through education. • Special Programs Paper Recycling Envirothon School Garden Fieldtrips Earth Day • Partnership 4-H Environmental Club

GOOD NEWS

Mr. Sharif and Mrs. Bego (along with Dr. Lewing-Gary from

Special Education Department) served as presenters for the National

Science Teachers Association 2010 Conference

Parent involvement greatly increased through Parent Workshops

focused on Helping Your Child with Content

2010 PGCRSF C.H. Flowers brought home 10 awards; 2 – 1st place,

3 – 2nd place, 3 – 3rd place, and 2 Honorable Mentions