Academic food security aims to provide students with sufficient access to knowledge (one key academic nutrient) in order to limit intellectual hunger. In this analogy, the student is seen as a consumer of knowledge. Academic food sovereignty, on the other hand, aims to shift the focus from student knowledge consumership to student knowledge…

Having a deeper understanding of molecules in their structural forms allows students to grasp biochemical and general chemical concepts in a more profound manner. Through the use of visualization software, we have shown that students gain confidence and insight into the chemical workings of molecular structure and can then utilize this knowledge…

Undergraduate students are increasingly aware of complex global challenges and have a strong desire to take action and create change. Course-based undergraduate research experiences can offer a wide range of students the opportunity to gain skills needed to address these challenges. At a small liberal arts college in New England, we developed the…

Extensive research has shown inquiry in science education to be best practice; however, most universities currently do not include inquiry practices in their coursework. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of inquiry that students in a Biology Survey Laboratory course considered to be the most supportive of their learning at a…

Summer research experiences have been identified as important vehicles for fostering the learning, skill development, and retention of undergraduates in the sciences. In this initiative, community college faculty and students partnered with private 4-year college colleagues on summer research in order to expand the capacity for research for…

Students need to reflect on the practice of science to fully understand the nature of science (NOS), which is an important component of scientific literacy. In this paper, the authors describe how to implement an explicit and reflective pedagogy in college science laboratories and share examples from their implementation in a multiple-section…

Research-like experiences range from relatively "canned" labs that are highly controlled by the instructor (such as those described in Lord and Orkwiszewski 2006) to more individually designed projects (e.g., Switzer and Shriner 2000; Wyatt 2005). This article describes a laboratory approach that allows for many of the benefits of independent or…

Miles Pickering joined the Princeton University staff in 1976, became director of the undergraduate chemistry laboratories in 1981, and was a chemistry department lecturer and senior staff member until he died in 1991. Focuses on his inspiring publications in the "Journal of College Science Teaching" and the "Journal of Chemical Education."…

Reviews new science equipment and products for the laboratory. Includes hand-held calculators, fiberglass fume hoods, motorized microtomy, disposable mouse cages, and electric timers. Describes 11 products total. Provides manufacturer name, address, and price. (MA)

Describes laboratory and lecture activities in an introductory cell physiology course that encourage students to start thinking of themselves as scientists. (DKM)

Discusses the need for a technical teacher who could help college students working in geology laboratory and field settings. The duties and qualifications of the technical teacher are also discussed. (HM)

Examines the problem of sex discrimination and sex-role stereotyping with respect to instruction in undergraduate science laboratory classes. Deals specifically with the behavior of instructors as they interact with students during laboratory sessions. A significant difference in male and female teacher behavior was found in three basic areas.…

Describes a study correlating observational test question scores and lab notebook evaluations. Results indicate that, while there is no correlation between those two factors, there are problems with evaluating notebooks objectively. (MA)

Determined student opinion of the investigative laboratory by surveying both students who had completed an introductory biology course using this format and another group of more advanced students who had taken other courses since this one. Results show that a majority of students feel the format improved their problem-solving skills. (JN)

Summarizes problems associated with teaching physically handicapped students in Wright State University biology classes. Presents techniques to modify lectures and laboratories, without changing course content, to accommodate these students. (SK)