Connecting Research Experiences And Teacher Excellence (CREATE) in Introductory Biology Laboratories

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Biological Sciences (61)The Biology Department of West Chester University (WCU) has a rare opportunity to redesign both the physical space and the curriculum for our three introductory biology laboratories, General Biology (Bio 110), Botany (Bio 215) and Zoology (Bio 217). By adapting materials from Northern Arizona University and Hampshire College, the emphasis in the laboratory moves from activities that primarily serve to reinforce lecture material to student-driven research investigations that stimulate critical thinking and an appreciation of the scientific method. To enhance and coordinate our introductory biology curriculum, we are: 1) developing new laboratories that include open-ended components, 2) increasing the use of technologies that enhance the learning experience, 3) linking concepts and creating spiraling connections between the sub-disciplines, 4) encouraging collaboration among students and faculty through the use of pedagogy designed to foster cooperation, and 5) providing a research-rich learning environment as a training ground for our future secondary school teachers. Students in our Secondary Education Program (BS Biology, Education) are actively involved with the development and implementation of the inquiry-based laboratories. With the help of Dr. Lesley Welsh, an assessment expert from the School of Education at WCU, we are evaluating the effectiveness of these changes.