Enhancing Active Learning: an Inquiry-Based Laboratory in Biomolecular Chemistry

该项目的主要目标是开发一门为期一学期的生物分子化学实验课程，该课程强调研究过程，通过引导学生积极参与问题制定、数据收集、批判性分析、团队合作和以引导探究的形式进行交流。由于分子生物学、基因工程、计算机科学和信息技术的重大进展，科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）教育发生了革命性的变化。随着知识基础爆炸式增长，技术和设备迅速过时，解决问题、不断质疑、批判性思维、分析和团队合作能力对于持续的科学和经济进步以及下一代学生在全球竞争中取得成功至关重要。本实验课程通过一系列开放式实验，旨在引导学生逐渐变得更加独立，并最终完成学生自己开发的原创研究项目，从而使学生熟悉生物化学/分子生物学技术。在整个项目中纳入了适当的学习和教学评估，并且正在进行必要的迭代更改。更积极地参与研究可以增加学生对科学事业的兴趣，缓解进入STEM领域的学生短缺的问题。密歇根理工大学化学、生物化学和药物化学学士学位课程的大多数学生（55-65%）是女性，7-8%是非裔美国人和西班牙裔；因此，这个项目对这些领域中代表性不足的群体产生了重大的积极影响。该项目改善了本科生的教学，特别是代表性不足的群体，增加了学生追求科学事业的兴趣，并推动了教育研究领域的发展。

Chemistry (12) The major goal of the project is developing a semester-long laboratory course in biomolecular chemistry that emphasizes the research process by actively involving students in question formulation, data gathering, critical analysis, team work, and communication in a guided-inquiry format. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education has been revolutionized by significant advances in molecular biology, genetic engineering, computer science, and information technology. With the knowledge base increasing explosively and techniques and equipment becoming out-dated rapidly, problem solving, constant questioning, critical thinking, analysis, and team-work abilities are critical for continued scientific and economic progress and for the next generation of students to successfully compete globally. This lab course familiarizes students with biochemistry/molecular biology techniques through a series of open-ended experiments designed to guide students to become progressively more independent and culminate in a student-developed original research project. Appropriate learning and teaching assessments are incorporated throughout the project and necessary iterative changes are being made. More active involvement in research can increase the interest of students in scientific careers and alleviate the shortage of students entering careers in STEM fields. A majority of students (55-65%) in BS programs in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Michigan Technological University are women, 7-8% are African-American and Hispanic; thus this project has a significant positive impact on groups underrepresented in these fields. This project improves the teaching of undergraduates, especially underrepresented groups, increases the interest of students to pursue careers in science, and advances the field of education research.