Abstract Detail

Stanford, Alice [1].

Letting students design their own investigative laboratories.

The biology program at the University of the Virgin Islands made a commitment to using investigative laboratories in 1999, and subsequently overhauled the majority of its biology laboratory classes to bring research into the classroom. Most laboratory class sessions now focus primarily on student participation in the process of science. Investigative laboratories were introduced at all levels of instruction, including introductory, mid-level, and upper-level courses for biology majors as well as a course for non-science majors. In many of these laboratory classes, undergraduate students plan and carry out their own experiments over time periods ranging from one 3-hour lab period to the entire semester. During the introductory portion of this session, the UVI biology program coordinator, who is also the instructor of three of the modified courses, will describe techniques used to successfully guide UVI students at each level in designing and completing their laboratory and field investigations. Participants will receive sample student lab manual chapters. During the session, participants will form small groups and plan at least one such investigative laboratory for a class they teach. Each plan will be shared with the larger group and made available online.

1 - University of the Virgin Islands, Division of Science and Mathematics, 2 John Brewers Bay, St Thomas, Virgin Islands, 00802-9990, USVI

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Education
Session: F1a-1
Location: Wasatch A (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Saturday, July 31st, 2004
Time: 8:15 AM
Abstract ID:1045