Bryan Mike

What do you remember about your high school biology class? Does the smell of formaldehyde and the picture of dissecting frogs come to mind? What about dissecting a pig or a cat? "That's college level," you say. This is not the case at Burrell High School. Students in Bryan Mike's Biology I and II are busy dissecting sharks, pigs, and cats! According to the students, Mr. Mike's class is one of their favorites, even among the girls. Along with the exciting dissecting curriculum, Bryan Mike brings biology to life by providing an array of activities and projects to stimulate a love for science.

One way that Bryan engages his students in active learning is by guiding them through various elaborate projects. Looking around the room, one finds an amazing display of two feet tall DNA models constructed from wire, wood, beads, blocks, and every imaginable item. The models are perfect replicas of the DNA molecule with all its components. Spurred on by Bryan's model, the students have put great effort into fabricating their own projects and have forever locked in their memories the facts about DNA. Another project is the edible cell. Students must produce a cell model using all edible materials. Bryan explains, "The kids love being creative devising cells made from cakes, pies, cookies, Jello molds and doughnuts." All sorts of gummy worms and candies are used to represent the parts of the cell. Then everyone gets to feast once the cells have been presented. A final favorite project allows the students to study baby chicks. Bryan provides a 2-day-old chick to observe the growth and changes until the chick reaches 15 days old. Students measure and weigh the chicks daily, recording all the changes they observe. "When we're finished," adds Bryan, "the chicks leave healthy, and I donate them to a farmer." In addition to various projects, Bryan furnishes plenty of activities that keep the students engrossed in science. First, Bryan explains, "The students are using microscopes constantly." He is currently teaching his Biology II kids how to do forensics. Second, when the students are dissecting, they are encouraged to collaborate and can move around to other groups to observe the specimens. "The kids love the independence," relates Bryan. To review for tests, students play Base Hit Baseball. Since each student has an individual dry erase board, and for each question any two kids might be picked to hit or steal a base if their answer is correct, they all stay involved in the review. The most popular activity, the Current Events Wheel, occurs every Friday. Students write a short report on a science-related article from the newspaper, magazine, or the Internet. In class they spin the big wheel to decide the order of students reporting that day. This activity gives every student a chance to discuss science topics that interest them from NASA to new cancer drugs. Interacting with the students is what Bryan enjoys the most about teaching. The best part of my day is when they understand what I'm talking about. When you see the light bulb go on," he shares. He also dedicates his time as a football coach, having coached for the last eight years. Finally, Bryan is the department chair for science in grades K to 12, and helps build sets for the school musicals.

When not at school Bryan spends time with his wife, Dana. His pastimes include woodworking and playing Madden 2004. Bryan confesses, "I'm and Play Station junkie, when it comes to Madden 2004." He and Dana also enjoy visitng their parents who live in the area. Nominated for the Teacher Excellence award in the district, Bryan stands out for his dedication to the students. His ingenuity is awakening in them a spark for the field of science.