Active Learning Modules for the Molecular BioSciences

生物科学（61）这个项目的目标是开发一系列的主动学习模块，让学生自己探究特定蛋白质的结构和功能。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，使学生真实地了解分子世界。六种精心挑选的蛋白质中的每一种都是在案例研究的背景下进行探索的，在案例研究中，学生们面临着解决当前社会问题背景下出现的问题的挑战。作为每个模块的最后组成部分，学生会遇到来自不同生物体的相关蛋白质共享相似氨基酸序列的证据。“行动中的进化”这一反复出现的主题强调了生物体之间的相互关系，并展示了这一基本概念在分子生物科学中的力量。这些模块最初由五所本科院校的项目负责人和项目执行主任试用，后来由更多的本科教育工作者试用，其中许多人来自为少数民族服务的院校，他们在两个夏季讲习班上接受了使用这些模块的培训。对学生学习成果的评估包括前测试和后测试，其中包括针对模块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）特定于每个模块主题的概念，（iii）解决不同生物体中相似蛋白质相关性的概念，以及（iv）学生对科学的态度及其在他们生活中的重要性。知识价值。该项目探讨了使用创新的物理模型和其他引人注目的可视化来激发学生对无形分子世界的积极探索的价值。此外，该项目还测量了学习进展的影响，首先建立了对蛋白质分子性质及其在生命过程中的关键作用的深刻理解，然后向学生展示了来自不同生物体的类似蛋白质的氨基酸序列同源性的数据。更广泛的影响。该项目促进了越来越多关于使用积极教学方法使学生参与有意义和持久学习的教育研究。它还试图通过提供“实际的进化”的例子来改变学生对生物科学的态度，特别是关于进化的问题。

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."