Dilutions Crash Course

The Goal of this ETP is to have students learn the basic math and science skills needed to perform dilutions correctly and on their own. Dilutions are a very integral part of everyday science /laboratory work but most students entering biology do not possess this skill. This activity will teach this skill and encourage students to think critically, design their own procedures and learn from trial and error. I will be giving my class a stock solution and challenge them to make different solutions of varying concentrations. While doing this they will be drawing/charting out exactly how they made each solution. They will then be assessed by comparing their dilutions to known concentrations based on the color and brightness of the solution. Finally students will be asked to use their newly acquired skills in a group brine shrimp lab.