Bringing Big Science to Small Colleges

Undergraduate colleges face serious constraints in incorporating “big” science (which typically requires the resources of large research institutions), into discovery-oriented lab curricula. With funding from the Teagle Foundation, this project aimed to identify effective approaches to integrate the new interdisciplinary field of genomics into liberal arts education. Through a series of workshops centered on genomics curricula and pedagogical methodology, the project will support the development and testing of inquiry-based integrated instructional units (I3Us) that can be disseminated to other colleges. The collection of I3Us is availabled at  SERC Genomics I3U Collection . With collaborators Lois Banta (Williams College), Susan Singer (Carleton College), Erica Crespi (Washington State University), Cathy Manduca (SERC), Ross Nehm (Ohio State University), and Lynn Caporale. Funded by Teagle Foundation.  Banta et al, 2012 CBE-LSE.

Scaffolding Student Authentic Genomics Research in the Classroom

Engaging undergraduate students in authentic research in the classroom can enhance development of scientific thinking needed both for the scientific workforce and within the broader population. However, implementing research in the classroom is challenging. This project develops genomics activities that use web-based Genomics Explorers scaffolding to support student genomics research within a classroom setting. We developed and assessed Genomics Explorers that guide students through developing genomics research on two model systems: a plant (Chamaecrista fasciculata) and an animal (Aiptasia pallida). Students who successfully engage in genomics research learn to: 1) define biologically interesting questions that can be addressed with genomics data, 2) relate a gene to biological function, 3) analyze genomics data, including quality, 4) develop a literature-based understanding of important quantitative approaches, and 5) test thoroughly a viable hypothesis by bringing together the literature, classroom knowledge, and analysis of data.  With collaborators Susan Singer, Cathy Manduca, Sean Fox, and Ellen Iverson at Carleton College Science Education Resource Center. NSF # 0837375