Engaging the Next Generation of Biochemists

生物化学领域为学生在不同领域追求职业生涯提供了重要的基础，如卫生保健、基础和应用研究。为了掌握核心的生化概念，学生必须在学习构成生化系统的动态结构和过程时，整合生物、化学、物理和数学方面的背景知识。学生经常与机械推理作斗争，这表现在他们无法将结构与功能联系起来，也无法在分散的系统中适当地归因于因果关系。因此，正确地对生化系统进行可视化和建模的能力是促进学生学习的重要手段。不幸的是，传统的生物化学课堂为学生提供了有限的机会，让他们以现实和互动的方式接触概念，因为在被动的、以讲座为基础的环境中，主要使用静态的二维图像和图表作为教学工具。该项目将通过开发一系列利用动态物理和计算模型的易于合并的模块来改变生物化学教学。这些单元将重点帮助学生发展他们对大分子结构和功能之间的直接关系以及代谢系统的动态协调的理解。在更大的层面上，这个项目将有助于在生物化学教学和学习中建立新的范式，并显著加强对下一代STEM专业人员的培训。本项目的目标是：(I)开发动态的、结构性的三维(3D)模型并将其应用于生物化学课程的模块中，以提高对生命关键的复杂3D结构的理解；(Ii)开发代谢网络的计算模型并将其应用于生物化学课程的模块中，以提高对生化系统概念的理解；以及(Iii)确定物理和计算模块对学生学习关键学习目标的影响。3D模型将使用可获得成本的3D打印技术开发，计算模型将建立在由该项目的一名合作绩效指标开发的名为Cell Collective的开源软件平台上。这个平台为学生提供了一个独特的交互环境，让他们以其他模拟所不具备的方式探索复杂系统的关系和动力学，并类似于《愿景与变革》所阐述的真实科学实践。这些单元及其相关材料将在网上提供，包括讲习班在内的传播工作将有助于在许多机构宣传它们的使用。

The field of biochemistry provides a critical foundation for students as they pursue careers in diverse fields, such as health care, and basic and applied research. To master core biochemical concepts, students must integrate background knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics as they learn about the dynamic structures and processes that constitute biochemical systems. Students often struggle with mechanistic reasoning, as evidenced by their inability to connect structures to functions and to properly attribute causality within decentralized systems. Hence, the ability to properly visualize and model biochemical systems represents an important means to advance student learning. Unfortunately, the traditional biochemistry classroom provides limited opportunities for students to engage with concepts in realistic and interactive ways, as primarily static, two-dimensional images and diagrams are used as teaching tools within passive, lecture-based environments. This project will transform biochemistry instruction by developing a series of easily-incorporated modules that make use of dynamic physical and computational models. These modules will focus on helping students develop their understandings of the direct relationships between macromolecular structure and function as well as the dynamic coordination of metabolic systems. At a larger level, this project will help establish new paradigms in biochemistry teaching and learning, and significantly enhance the training of the next generation of STEM professionals.The goals of this project are: (i) to develop dynamic, structural three-dimensional (3D) models and implement these into modules for biochemistry courses to improve understanding about the complex 3D structures critical to life; (ii) to develop computational models of metabolic networks and implement these into modules for biochemistry courses to improve understanding of biochemical systems concepts; and (iii) to determine the impact of the physical and computational modules on student learning of key learning objectives. The 3D models will be developed using the cost-accessible 3D printing technology and the computational models will be built on an open-source software platform called Cell Collective, developed by one of the project's co-PIs. This platform provides a unique interactive environment for students to explore the relationships and dynamics of complex systems in ways that are not available in other simulations, and resembling authentic science practice as articulated by Vision and Change. These modules and their associated materials will be made available on-line, and dissemination efforts, including a workshop, will help propagate their use at many institutions.