Engaging STEM Students from the Beginning: An Interdependent Approach to Introductory Chemistry and Cellular Biology

(生物科学61)这一高度跨学科的项目涉及在生物和化学入门课程中设计和试点测试互补的食品跨学科实验室模块，以便：(1)让学生接触与关键生物和化学概念有关的共同、真实世界的材料和情况；(2)展示生物和化学学科之间的相互依存关系；(3)在调查环境中促进主动学习。该项目包括教师和教学助理的专业发展。智力上的功绩。这个项目为本科理科专业的学生提供了两门理科课程的独特的第一年经验，并帮助培养了一支强大的跨学科团队，包括生物、化学和科学教育学院。项目评估是调查在生物和化学概念之间提供协调联系并将这些概念与学生的世界联系起来对学生理解当今世界科学的相关性的影响。此外，该项目的专业发展特点是帮助教师在备课、实施和反思方面发展有效的教学策略和能力，以便继续改进。该项目团队利用学生的反馈和评估来改革实验内容，并增加其相关性和对本科生的吸引力。更广泛的影响。该项目的研究成果对其他同类高校具有一定的借鉴意义，为进一步开展本科STEM课程的大规模协同改革奠定了基础。

(Biological Sciences 61)This highly interdisciplinary project involves design and pilot testing of complementary food-based interdisciplinary laboratory modules in both introductory biology and chemistry courses in order to: (1) engage students with common, real-world materials and situations relevant to key biological and chemical concepts; (2) demonstrate the interdependence of biology and chemistry disciplines; and (3) promote active learning in an investigative environment. The project includes professional development for faculty and teaching assistants. Intellectual Merit. This project is giving undergraduate science majors a unique first year experience in two science courses and is helping develop a strong interdisciplinary team of biology, chemistry and science education faculty. Project evaluation is investigating the effect of providing coordinated connections between biology and chemistry concepts and relating these concepts to the student's world on student understanding of the relevance of science in today's world. In addition the professional development feature of the project is helping instructors develop effective pedagogical strategies and abilities in lesson preparation, implementation, and reflection for continued improvement. The project team uses student feedback and evaluation to reform the laboratory content and to increase its relevance and appeal to undergraduate students. Broader Impact. The results of this project are serving as a model for other similar universities and are laying the foundation for further large-scale collaborative reformation of undergraduate STEM courses.