Active Learning Modules for the Molecular BioSciences

分子生物科学主动学习模块

• 批准号: 0618688
• 负责人: Tim Herman
• 金额: $ 50万
• 依托单位: Milwaukee School of Engineering
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-09-01 至 2010-02-28
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0618688&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Active; Learning; Modules; Molecular; BioSciences

Biological Sciences (61)The goal of this project is to develop a series of Active Learning Modules in which students are engaged in their own inquiry-driven exploration of the structure and function of specific proteins. The modules use physical models of proteins and other compelling visualizations that make the molecular world real to students. Each of six carefully chosen proteins is explored within the context of a case study in which the students are challenged to solve a problem that is presented against the backdrop of a current social issue. As the final component of each Module, students encounter evidence that related proteins from different organisms share a similar amino acid sequence. This recurring theme of "evolution in action" emphasizes the interrelatedness of living organisms and demonstrates the power of this fundamental concept in the molecular biosciences. The Modules are initially piloted by the project PI and coPIs in five undergraduate institutions, and later by a larger group of undergraduate educators, many from minority-serving institutions, who are trained in the use of the Modules at two summer workshops. Assessment of student learning gains includes pre- and post-tests that include questions addressing the four major learning objectives of the Modules: (i) general concepts of protein structure and function, (ii) concepts that are specific to the topic of each module, (iii) concepts addressing the relatedness of similar proteins across different organisms, and (iv) students' attitudes toward science and its perceived importance in their lives. Intellectual Merit. The project investigates the value of using innovative physical models and other compelling visualizations to stimulate active student exploration of the invisible molecular world. Additionally, the project measures the impact of a learning progression that first builds a deep understanding of the molecular nature of proteins and their critical role in life processes, and then presents students with data demonstrating the amino acid sequence homology of similar proteins from different organisms. Broader Impacts. The project contributes to the growing body of education research on the use of active teaching methods to engage students in meaningful and long-lasting learning. It also seeks to change students' attitudes toward the biological sciences, especially regarding the issue of evolution, by providing examples of "evolution in action."

生物科学（61）该项目的目的是开发一系列积极的学习模块，其中学生从事询问驱动的特定蛋白质结构和功能的探索。 这些模块使用蛋白质的物理模型和其他引人注目的可视化，使分子世界对学生来说是真实的。 在案例研究的背景下，探索了六种精心选择的蛋白质中的每一个，在该案例研究中，学生面临挑战以解决在当前社会问题背景下提出的问题。 作为每个模块的最终组成部分，学生遇到的证据表明，来自不同生物体的蛋白质具有相似的氨基酸序列。 这种反复出现的“行动进化”主题强调了生物体的相互关系，并证明了这种基本概念在分子生物科学中的力量。 这些模块最初是由PI和COPIS项目驾驶的五个本科机构，后来由一群来自少数族裔服务机构的较大的本科教育工作者驾驶，他们在两个夏季工作坊接受了模块的培训。 对学生学习成就的评估包括测试前和测试，包括解决模块的四个主要学习目标的问题：（i）蛋白质结构和功能的一般概念，（ii）针对每个模块主题的概念，（iii）概念，旨在解决不同生物体的相似蛋白质的相关性，以及（IV）学生对科学及其对科学及其在其上的生活的重要性。智力优点。 该项目研究了使用创新的物理模型和其他引人注目的可视化来刺激对无形分子世界的积极探索的价值。 此外，该项目衡量了学习进展的影响，该进步首先对蛋白质的分子性质及其在生活过程中的关键作用深入了解，然后向学生提供数据，这些数据证明了来自不同生物体的类似蛋白质的氨基酸序列同源性。 更广泛的影响。 该项目有助于不断增长的教育研究研究，以吸引学生参与有意义且持久的学习。 它还试图通过提供“行动中进化”的例子来改变学生对生物科学的态度，尤其是在进化论问题上。