A biotechnologist-turned-teacher introduces a series of laboratory modules incorporating concepts from microbiology, cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and evolution. The Amylase Project aims to distill the biotechnology process into a few short steps using amylase, the easiest enzyme to detect of those commonly produced by…

Understanding antibody structure and function is difficult for many students. The rearrangement of constant and variable regions during antibody differentiation can be effectively simulated using a paper model. Describes a hands-on laboratory exercise which allows students to model antibody diversity using readily available resources. (PVD)

Presents a series of simple and inexpensive hands-on activities with a host of extension lesson ideas that can be used to actively introduce students to the scientific theory of evolution. Lessons are designed to thwart common student difficulties. Classes are structured around a predator-prey simulation game that creates a springboard for…

Since many of the important energy-transferring pathways involve synthesis or degradation of biological macromolecules, observations of the enzymes responsible for starch breakdown provide a useful case study. Provides a short, one-step assay for the enzymes amylase and amyloglucosidase. Topics covered include goals, preparation, assay procedure,…

Describes two simple laboratory exercises that allow students to test hypotheses concerning the requirement of cell energy for osmosis. The first exercise involves osmotically-caused changes in the length of potato tubers and requires detailed quantitative observations. The second exercise involves osmotically-caused changes in turgor of Elodea…

Outlines some of the current scientific and educational issues related to behavioral genetics and recommends using behavior as a vehicle to improve the teaching of genetics at the high school level. Contains 77 references. (DDR)

Explains the use of a modification of an approach known as the Line of Reasoning (LOR) model to critique science news articles. Argues that popular press articles lack scientific evidence to support the claims made and instead focus on evidence-based inference. (DDR)

Describes a project that began as workshops for teachers in biotechnology and became a program that enables students to do hands-on biotechnology experiments in the classroom. The three parts of this program include the development of activities, access to equipment, and further workshops. (DDR)

Argues that biology students learn how to write effectively from biologists who write well. Presents a picture of a writing curriculum interwoven with a biology curriculum. Includes course-specific writing tasks. (DDR)

Outlines an activity for large classes that helps students gain an understanding of the variety of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and the means of transmission of those diseases. (DDR)

Describes a laboratory protocol optimizing the conditions for the assay of pepsin activity using the Coomasie Blue dye binding assay of protein concentration. The dye bonds through strong, noncovalent interactions to basic and aromatic amino acid residues. (DDR)

Discusses applications of recombinant DNA technology and the controversies surrounding that technique. Provides a cooperative learning project idea that involves teams of students investigating and debating these issues. (DDR)

Details a simulation that employs a paper-and-pencil model to demonstrate the principles behind automated DNA sequencing. Discusses the advantages of automated sequencing as well as the chemistry of automated DNA sequencing. (DDR)

Details the use of the game Yahtzee with modified rules to help students understand the extreme improbability of obtaining complex structures by chance in the process of evolution. Includes a discussion of probability calculations. (DDR)

Shares the perspectives and experiences of maintaining a balance between being a biologist and an educator. Cites recent work that highlights what is going well in science education and revisits the tension between the role of researcher and teacher. (DDR)