The "Next Generation Science Standards" (NGSS Lead States 2013) call for all students to be engaged in investigations that require them to use skills and knowledge related to the science and engineering practices. In this article the authors describe how the mnemonic RAD, "Record-Analyze-Develop an explanation," was used by a…

Although the teaching of photosynthesis occurs yearly in elementary classrooms, one thing that makes it challenging is the inclusion of English language learners (ELLs). This article presents several activities for teaching and assessing of photosynthesis in a third grade classroom. The activities incorporate the photosynthesis content, teaching…

Reconstructing phylogenies from nucleotide sequences is a challenge for students because it strongly depends on evolutionary models and computer tools that are frequently updated. We present here an inquiry-based course aimed at learning how to trace a phylogeny based on sequences existing in public databases. Computer tools are freely available…

Introductory biology students can be overwhelmed by the diversity of life. By focusing on learning characteristics of individual taxa, they often lose and miss the larger perspective--that all taxa are connected through evolution, resulting in the Tree of Life. In this article, the authors present an exercise that helps students develop an…

The educational design of a project option in an Open University course on evolution is described. Also described is the simulation which models the genetic and evolutionary consequences of two populations of a species of flowering plant coming together after a period of genetic isolation. (Author/JN)

Describes a self-contained computer application constructed using the SuperCard development tool which introduces the characteristics of turfgrass species and their optimum environments. Evaluates students' gain in understanding turf species characteristics through this approach. (LZ)

The analysis and simulation of spiral growth in plants integrates algebra and trigonometry in a botanical setting. When the ideas presented here are used in a mathematics classroom/computer lab, students can better understand how basic assumptions about plant growth lead to the golden ratio and how the use of circular functions leads to accurate…

This paper discusses how a university designed, developed, and delivered a feature-rich Web-based course for undergraduate plant biology. In the design stage, the focus centered around curriculum design, content development, and media acquisition. Instructors, including faculty and graduate assistants of plant biology, served as content experts,…

Describes a five year research project in plant ecology by successive teams of students. The aim was to identify environmental factors which were determining the distribution of the vegetation on a pitheap. Includes descriptions of vegetation, soil properties, and computer assisted analysis of results. (Author/CW)

Discusses the use of a computer program designed to solve the mathematical model associated with soil nutrient uptake by plant roots and to predict the nutrient uptake. Describes a user-friendly personal computer version of this program. (TW)

Contains 21 articles ranging from instructional experiments to topical information. Deals with investigation of plant rust diseases, using computers to teach biology, plant roots, a biotechnology curriculum, the corrosion of oxides, electrochemical simulations, the Reimer-Tiemann reaction, the oxidation of aldehydes, and the extraction of iodine…

A project was conducted to develop a computer forestry/forest products bibliography applicable to high school and community college vocational/technical programs. The project director contacted curriculum clearinghouses, computer companies, and high school and community college instructors in order to obtain listings of public domain programs for…