ERIC Number: EJ1049003
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Jan
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0002-7685
EISSN: N/A
"The Strawberry Caper": Using Scenario-Based Problem Solving to Integrate Middle School Science Topics
Gonda, Rebecca L.; DeHart, Kyle; Ashman, Tia-Lynn; Legg, Alison Slinskey
American Biology Teacher, v77 n1 p50-54 Jan 2015
Achieving a deep understanding of the many topics covered in middle school biology classes is difficult for many students. One way to help students learn these topics is through scenario-based learning, which enhances students' performance. The scenario-based problem-solving module presented here, "The Strawberry Caper," not only meets but connects ecological and genetic concepts that are required standards in middle school. Here, students are required to provide expert witness for a patent-infringement claim against an organic strawberry farmer by a large neighboring company. The students must think critically and formulate and test hypotheses to provide evidence for the case. Through phenotypic and genotypic analyses, the students are immersed in an inquiry-driven investigation that provides a real-world context for topics covered in the classroom. This, interspersed with integration of concepts, promotes understanding and application of these topics.
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Middle School Students, Secondary School Science, Vignettes, Problem Solving, Teaching Methods, Biology, Ecology, Genetics, Agricultural Occupations, Hypothesis Testing, Thinking Skills, Scientific Concepts
University of California Press. 2000 Center Street Suite 303, Berkeley, CA 94704. Tel: 510-643-7154; Fax: 510-642-9917; e-mail: customerservice@ucpressjournals.com; Web site: http://www.ucpressjournals.com/journal.php?j=abt
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Junior High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: DEB 1020523