Shorts

The Practical

To: [all members Wilson Year 12 Biology]

From: noah.wilson@faculty.riverview.edu.au

Hi students,

In light of the Covid 19 restrictions and subsequent commencement of online schooling, I am holding our second practical via Zoom on the 2nd of April at our normal lesson time (10am).

The practical and subsequent report is a summative piece, and while I will be demonstrating the actual experiment from home, you will be required to observe, record results, and write a detailed prac report that will be due on the 23rd of April.

You will be marked on your attendance in the Zoom meeting and your prac report.

Please read the attached summary of Thursday's practical, 'Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity'.

The meeting ID is as follows: 135-4267. You may enter the meeting at 10:00am.

Regards,

Mr Wilson

Noah checked his watch. 0956hrs. He clicked open the Zoom tab and opened the meeting page, ready to launch it at 1000hrs. He did a last check of all his materials. The measuring cylinders were sparkling, washed thoroughly by Tim, who Noah suspected suffered from mild OCD.

"I don't even want to know what germs these are carrying after your students have touched them," Tim had said as he scrubbed at them. Noah wrapped his arms around his partner's waist and pressed a kiss to his neck.

"If you get me some agar and a petri dish I'll find out for you." Tim had promptly ended the conversation by tipping 90mls of dishwater over Noah's head.

Reading glasses! Where were his reading glasses? Noah ran his eyes over the dining table where the preparations for the experiment lay.

"Noah, I made you tea." Tim entered from the kitchen balancing an iPad and two steaming cups of English Breakfast, one of which he placed carefully on the other side of the laptop.

"Thought you might need your glasses too." Noah sighed in relief.

"Where are they?"

"In my pocket." Tim twisted around so Noah could reach into one of the large front pockets of his knitted button up cardigan.

"What would I do without you?" He slid the glasses on and blinked lovingly at the other man.

"You would live in squalor," Tim replied drily, stuffing a handful of popped kernels in his mouth.

Noah prepared to say something he hoped was equally as scathing, but was saved the inevitable dent in his pride when the timer on his phone sang out, signifying that it was now 10:00am. Taking a deep breath, he adjusted his glasses and launched the Zoom meeting.

Almost instantly the first student face popped up on the screen. In pyjamas.

Thomas: "Morning, Mr Wilson."

Mr Wilson (Noah): "Morning, Thomas. Interesting attire." He neglected to mention that underneath his navy lab coat he was wearing a faded periodic table t-shirt and fleecy tartan pyjama pants. He wriggled his toes in his fluffy socks.

In a matter of seconds more teenagers in varied levels of casual settings and clothes entered the meeting.

Faith: "Hi."

Zoe: "Morning, all."

Zack: "G'day."

Leanne: "Hi Mr Wilson. Oh, Zoe, I've got so much to tell you!"