We present a course-embedded undergraduate research module that involves real-time polymerase chain reaction testing for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples. A positive control RNA was constructed and two RNA extraction methods were compared and a range of primers were available to compare. Using a combination of published…

An optional electronic resource (e-resource) that requiring subscription was offered to 2nd year students studying university cell biology. An online survey attitudes identified cost, the relative (lack) ease of use, and a "general preference", as primary reasons for not utilizing the e-resource. The ability to access graphics, videos,…

The implementation of science reform must be viewed as a systems-level problem and not just focus on resources for teachers and students. High-capacity instructional leadership is essential for supporting classroom science instruction. Recent reform efforts include a shift from learning about science facts to figuring out scientific phenomena in…

Computational models are increasingly being used in K-12 science classrooms to engage students in developing and testing explanations of phenomena. However, research has only begun to consider whether integrating computational models into science instruction could be particularly beneficial to students from diverse backgrounds, including a…

This study focuses on the effectiveness of two types of teaching practices (i.e., inquiry-based and teacher-directed) on students' science achievement, an ongoing contentious issue in science education. It examined the direct and indirect effects of the two types of teaching practices, enjoyment of science, and students' science achievement with…

Argumentation is central to science learning. Students in every domain of science should have the opportunity to develop the ability to think and act in ways associated with argumentation. When engaged in argumentation, students learn how to puzzle through problems, to see multiple ways of finding solutions, to gather and evaluate evidence on…

One of the main objectives of science education is to produce students and, in general, a society that is scientifically literate. To achieve this objective, teachers across the different educational stages must work on science at school, so it is essential that students in education degrees reach scientific competence, but for this, it would be…

Information and communication technology (ICT) competences are among the most important requirements to effectively teach mathematics and science in today's classrooms. Teacher educators in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region have prioritised ICT competences for pre-service teachers (PSTs) to effectively select suitable…

Although there is a lot of interest in the development of computational thinking (CT) and the benefits it could have for every student, integrating it into science classrooms may be more difficult than traditional teaching. This can be very challenging for South African science teachers. Thus, there is an increasing need to prepare teachers and…

It is of great importance to examine the level of science teaching self-efficacy (SE), which is related to technological developments in primary school teacher education. It is seen that this subject is not addressed in the context of technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPCK) and visual metaphors. The purpose of this research was to…

Physics II is an undergraduate course on basic electromagnetism that I teach for engineers, and it includes topics from optics as a natural application. Among the many challenges of conducting video lectures during the local restrictions of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic was finding demonstration material. In this article, I describe how these…

In this work, we will describe a Peer Project Learning assignment focused on the STEM project-based learning activities where students build a custom board game with a series of constraints that guide them to learn (and later teach) about the main concepts of an electromagnetism physics course for undergraduate students.

Basic science courses, such as physics, are fundamental to precollege studies. For instance, in different engineering applications, electricity and magnetism require comprehending subjects such as electrical circuits and power electronics. However, abstract concepts such as electric or magnetic fields are often difficult to explain without visual…

The oscillations of one mass "m" suspended between two different springs, assuming a friction force proportional to the velocity [minuscule], have been studied. For this purpose, an assembly for this system has been made. The movement of the mass is recorded with a smartphone and analysed with "Tracker." It is obtained that the…

Enzymes are organic molecules known for their catalytic nature because they accelerate metabolic reactions in organisms. The study of enzyme functions and modes of action is essential to understand Biochemistry. This study aimed to analyse the acetylcholinesterase enzymatic activity, as well as the enzymatic inhibition mechanism in practical…