ERIC Number: EJ1215800
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-May
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0047-231X
EISSN: N/A
Research and Teaching: Building Bridges: An Active Learning Lesson in Evolution and Collaboration
Carscadden, Kelly A.; McDermott, Molly T; Turbek, Sheela P.; Tittes, Silas B.; Martin, Andrew P.
Journal of College Science Teaching, v48 n5 p46-58 May 2019
We describe a hands-on, collaborative activity designed to illustrate general properties of evolution, provide practice for quantitative skills, promote creativity and collaboration, and enable student self-assessment of learning. During the activity, teams construct bridges using common office supplies. The best-performing bridge becomes the template for a second generation of bridges. After students have tested two generations of bridges, they manipulate, visualize, and analyze their data. Using these analyses, students make evidence-based claims about key evolutionary concepts: adaptation, trade-offs between traits, and complexity. Our study included multiple lab sections (analogous to populations), so students see that evolution can proceed differently across populations. Student responses indicated the activity fostered community and teamwork, helped students understand evolution, and improved their quantitative skills. To assess how well this activity illustrated predictions of evolutionary theory, we analyzed the full dataset across lab sections. This activity incorporates science teaching best practices and could be readily adapted for learning goals beyond evolution.
Descriptors: Hands on Science, Active Learning, Cooperative Learning, Evolution, Science Process Skills, Scientific Concepts, Science Activities, Science Laboratories, College Science, College Students, Prediction, Student Attitudes, Outcomes of Education, Science Instruction, Best Practices
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A