Enhancing Interdisciplinary and Systems Thinking with an Integrative Plant Chemistry Module Applied in Diverse Undergraduate Course Settings
Enhancing Interdisciplinary and Systems Thinking with an Integrative Plant Chemistry Module Applied in Diverse Undergraduate Course Settings
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DOI：
10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c00395
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发表时间：
2020-12-08
影响因子：
3
通讯作者：
Russo, Sabrina E.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Busta, Lucas;Russo, Sabrina E.
为了应对STEM领域工作者面临的复杂全球挑战，今天的学生培养综合技术技能和认知能力至关重要。作为一个高度跨学科的领域，药用植物化学提供了一个非常丰富的环境，这样的培训。在这里，我们描述了一个动手药用植物化学实验室模块（植物化学实验室活动的整合思维和增强竞争力; PLANTEC）的本科生，其目标是发展核心能力（一）逻辑思维和文本和数据分析，（二）跨学科和系统思维，（三）科学的口头和书面交流，以及（四）团队合作和协作。每个学生使用薄层层析法和气相层析-质谱法测定一种植物的天然产物。学生以小组或成对的方式分析他们的数据，并在化学，生物化学和生物学背景下解释他们的发现。PLANTEC是可扩展的，因此可以在实验室或讲座课程中提供，甚至部分或全部在线。我们在2018年和2019年秋季学期的本科生物学讲座课程中实施了这个模块，课程时间为六节50分钟。我们还尝试了PLANTEC的修改，以定制学习目标，从而在数据解释过程中强调不同的学科（例如，植物化学、生态学、进化）。学生们一致认为PLANTEC不仅增加了他们分析、解释、讨论和撰写新数据和复杂想法的信心，而且增加了他们对药用植物化学的兴趣。这种类型的跨学科实验室模块将特别有助于培养未来创新和多功能的STEM劳动力。
To meet the complex global challenges that workers in STEM fields face, it is critical that today's students develop integrative technical skills and cognitive competencies. As a highly interdisciplinary field, medicinal plant chemistry provides an exceptionally rich environment for such training. Here, we describe a hands-on medicinal plant chemistry laboratory module (Phytochemical Laboratory Activities for iNtegrative Thinking and Enhanced Competencies; PLANTEC) for undergraduates that targets the development of core competencies in (i) logical thinking and analysis of text and data, (ii) interdisciplinary and systems thinking, (iii) oral and written communication of science, and (iv) teamwork and collaboration. Each student determines the natural product profile of a plant species using thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Students work in pairs and small groups to analyze their data and interpret their findings in chemical, biochemical, and biological contexts. PLANTEC is scalable and so can be offered in laboratory or lecture courses, and even partially or entirely online. We implemented this module in an undergraduate biology lecture course over six 50 min lessons in the fall semesters of both 2018 and 2019. We also experimented with modifications of PLANTEC to tailor learning objectives and thereby emphasize different disciplines during data interpretation (e.g., plant chemistry, ecology, evolution). Students consistently responded that PLANTEC increased not only their confidence in analyzing, interpreting, discussing, and writing about new kinds of data and complex ideas but also their interest in medicinal plant chemistry. Interdisciplinary laboratory modules of this type will be particularly useful in developing an innovative and versatile STEM workforce of the future.