• CLASS MASCOTS

    Awesome.

    To invigorate the classroom spirit of A232-236, we have several class mascots. Enjoy, and remember, biology is fun!

     

    CHOWL (CHICKEN/OWL), Theodoris Mannonensis

    Chowl

    "Is it a chicken? Is it an owl? It's...A CHOWL!"

    This impromptu quote was said in 2019 to describe reward stickers before a review game (Kahoot!), and the Chowl (Chicken/Owl) was born. 

    Secretive, elusive, and reclusive, "Chowls" are found only in the Pusch Ridge Mountains, near Oro Valley (their geographic range has moved west over time). They are colored orange, blue, or green (sometimes purple), and may be "winking" or "waving", but not both. Although intended as a fantastical animal when introduced, IRHS students have strangely reported Chowl sightings in the area between Fine Arts and the Academic Building, near the Main Office. Legends about Chowl origins (e.g., how they were created through genetic engineering by a rouge biotechnology teacher in the lab and allowed to escape during the monsoon, or even set free purposely), Chowl names (Chowie, Howie, Chowie Jr.), Chowl diet (drinking Dr. Pepper, eating yogurt, duplex cookies, and nachos, ordering takeout with their cell phones), and Chowl biology (nesting on shredded old textbooks, 6 chicks in a flock) have followed.

    Thus, Chowls have developed as a symbol of hope, prosperity, rejuvenation, and academic success in the local community. Stickers depicting Chowls continue to be awarded to students for placing "on the podium" during review exercises, and chowl-related imagery is hung in offices and classrooms to bring good luck. As IRHS students go through their high school careers telling stories and tall tales of their beloved Chowl, its legend continues to grow, as do the apparently sighted variants (e.g., Chowlurkey-chicken-owl-turkey).

     

    PRAIRIE DOGS, Cynomys ludovicianus

    Prairie dogs

    Betty and Reggy are two prairie dogs who love volleyball, micropipettes, and getting free stuff. Sometimes they like to compare their heights (picture above). Reggy is named after Elton John (birthname--Reginald Dwight). Betty and Reggy love science, and they love IRHS! And free stuff. 

     

     DUCKENGUIN (& OTTERENGUIN), Duckenguin (Otterenguin) Mannonensis

    Penguin

    Originally introduced to students as an instrument for teaching DNA and RNA mutation and repair, the Duckenguins (& Otterenguins, which are ducks or otters combined with penguins), named "Squeaky" and "Pachinko," have shifted their focus to instruction on refrigeration and freezing protocols in the laboratory. Although silent, their message comes across well as they indicate to students what molecules are preserved at what temperature, and they enforce requirements that students wear PPE when entering the -80 degree C freezer. Stickers with their likeness placed all around the lab remind students of these protocols, along with reminders to not place food or non-CTE materials in the refrigerators or freezers (except for Hydrogen Peroxide from Chemistry). 

     

    THE LLAMA, Llama glama

        llama  

    For no particular reason, we have a llama. Just because it's awesome. (Why do we have a llama? Why DON'T YOU have a llama?!) The llama has no name--it's simply called "The Llama." Students have combined the llama with a chinchilla to make a "chinchillama." We have so much llama drama in the lab! And we have reward stickers--"No prob-llama!"

     

    TWONICORN, Equus fantasticis 

    Unicorn

    It's a unicorn with two (2) horns. We chase it (metaphorically). And we have stickers for rewards, just like the other mascots. 

     

    THE MUSCLE CELL

    Muscle Cell

    We have a muscle cell. It's name is: "The Muscle Cell." And it's awesome. 

     

    There are also legends of "The Room" (A232) being haunted by "The Ghost." We hear strange noises in there all the time. It's very mysterious. The legend continues.

     

    We have awesome lab equipment. We have class mascots, and awesome stickers.

    Every student gets their own lab coat and notebook...which can be personalized.

    If you want to belong to something, if you want to be the best you can be, then come join us at

    Nighthawk Biotechnology-Next Generation. 

    The future is now.