Reports on research that tested the effect of using a computer simulation to teach the concept of a food web to nonbiology majors in a large introductory course. Concludes that the use of the simulation resulted in significantly better performance on an open-ended essay question for those students who used the software, particularly for average…

Describes the construction of an inexpensive recirculating aquaculture system that can hold up to 46 pounds of fish, invertebrates, and mussels for classroom use. The system is versatile, requires little maintenance, and can be used for both teaching and research purposes. (WRM)

Presents a laboratory activity designed to be a botanical autotutorial tour of a supermarket, meant to increase students' appreciation of the role that botany plays in the production of food. (WRM)

Argues that the Woesian three domain view of life should replace the five kingdom taxonomic scheme presented in most general biology texts and courses. Presents evidence for employing the three domain scheme and a related activity for classroom use. Contains 11 references. (WRM)

Presents a problem-based, discovery-oriented activity on sickle-cell anemia that has been used for five years with more than 3000 secondary-level students and 200 teachers. (WRM)

Describes current and cutting-edge research on proteins that may spark the interest of biology students. Contains 27 references. (WRM)

Describes the historical development of the field of ecology. Maintains that the ecological revolution, which began quietly in America, unleashed powerful forces of concern for the world and its future. (Contains 14 references.) (WRM)

Describes unexpected experiences with student laboratory activities. Makes recommendations for addressing two types of lab disasters: (1) when lab preparations fail prior to the beginning of lab; and (2) when students produce unexpected results with the proper use of materials. (Contains 11 references.) (WRM)

Describes the implementation of a bioethics laboratory exercise that incorporates a variety of instructional strategies. In the activity, General Biology students consider relevant and interesting topics of bioethical importance and prepare classroom presentations on the different viewpoints normally attendant to ethical topics. Includes an…

Describes the use of case studies for teaching introductory anatomy and physiology courses. Outlines methods for constructing cases from news stories. Includes an appendix featuring a sample case story. (Contains 11 references.) (WRM)

Describes the operation of the Minolta SPAD-502 Leaf Chlorophyll meter. Presents five sample activities for using this technology in high school or college science classes. (WRM)

Describes an activity that addresses some fundamental principles of scaling, a technique that provides a mathematical basis for explaining many biological differences between small and large organisms. (WRM)

Describes the KQL teaching strategy in relation to teaching about DNA. Provides instructions for constructing a scale model of DNA. (WRM)

Describes a role-playing exercise designed to allow students to make decisions on land use activities while requiring them to address a range of ecological and environmental issues. The activity uses data and information from soil survey manuals in conjunction with a student-created physical topographical model. (WRM)

Describes a method of presenting Greek and Latin root words in order to teach biological terminology. Presents a sample root word list and related activity. (WRM)