WOWBugs (Melittobia) Educational Materials Development for Undergraduaate Biology

WOWBugs (Melittobia) 本科生物学教材开发

• 批准号: 0088021
• 负责人: Robert Matthews
• 金额: $ 47.63万
• 依托单位: University of Georgia Research Foundation Inc
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2001
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2001-03-15 至 2005-02-28
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0088021&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: WOWBugs; Melittobia; Educational; Materials; Development

Biological Sciences (61)Four comprehensive, guided inquiry, investigative laboratory modules are being developed to address fundamental concepts in undergraduate biology instruction utilizing WOWBugs, Melittobia digitata, a harmless parasitic wasp. WOWBugs exhibit unique characteristics including elaborate courtship rituals, reproducible competitive behaviors, short generation times, easily measured heritable traits, and readily distinguishable morphological forms that are dependant upon on developmental conditions. These features make WOWBugs an effective organism for use in illustrating concepts fundamental to animal behavior, ecology, genetics, and developmental biology. Inquiry-based laboratory modules as well as instructional materials are being developed in each of these concept areas. The instructional materials under development include a book, a CD, a broadcast-quality videotape with accompanying teacher's guide, and a dedicated WOWBug newsletter and web support site. All materials are pilot tested at four diverse institutions including the University of Georgia, Hollins College, Morehouse College, and at local community colleges. The instructional materials will be disseminated at national meetings, in dedicated workshops, and through commercial distributors. In support of the curriculum development work, this project has a significant research component through which better and simpler growth medium is being developed to support classroom propagation of WOWBugs. The curricular materials in conjunction with a simple growth and propagation system ensure easy implementation into the undergraduate curriculum and provide students an opportunity to visualize a number of key biological phenomenon and to participate in a variety of innovative, inquiry-based investigations traditionally unavailable in the undergraduate laboratory.

生物科学（61）正在开发四个综合性的、指导性的探究、调查性实验室模块，以利用WOWBugs、Melittobia digitata（一种无害的寄生蜂）来解决本科生物学教学中的基本概念。WOWBugs表现出独特的特征，包括精心制作的求爱仪式，可重复的竞争行为，短世代时间，易于测量的遗传特征，以及依赖于发育条件的易于区分的形态形式。这些特征使WOWBugs成为一种有效的有机体，用于说明动物行为，生态学，遗传学和发育生物学的基本概念。正在为每个概念领域开发以探究为基础的实验单元和教学材料。正在开发的教学材料包括一本书、一张CD、一盘带有教师指南的广播质量录像带，以及专门的WOWBug时事通讯和网络支持网站。所有材料都在四个不同的机构，包括格鲁吉亚，霍林斯学院，莫尔豪斯学院大学，并在当地社区学院进行试点测试。将在国家会议、专门讲习班和通过商业分销商分发这些指导材料。为了支持课程开发工作，该项目有一个重要的研究组成部分，通过它正在开发更好和更简单的生长介质，以支持WOWBugs的课堂传播。课程材料结合一个简单的生长和传播系统，确保容易实施到本科课程，并为学生提供一个机会，以可视化一些关键的生物现象，并参与各种创新，基于调查的传统上在本科实验室不可用。