Laboratories Engaging Students in the Application and Process of Science (LEAPS) in College-Level Introductory Biology

该项目在两个阿姆斯特朗校区（阿姆斯特朗大西洋主校区和卫星自由中心校区）的大型多节生物学入门课程中实施了基于发现的实验室模块。实验室模块涉及学生应用一套分子生物学技术来筛选沃尔巴克氏体从昆虫收集的学生。 它基于一套最初为高中实验室开发的模块，然后由PI在荣誉介绍生物实验室进行升级和测试。 智力优势：这个项目代表了许多方法之一，被引入到学生实验室，让学生成为科学过程的一部分，同时它有利于科学界通过添加到一个重要的数据库的味道。 实验室被用来帮助加强对学生难以理解的基本生物学原理的理解。 此外，学生学习在协作小组中工作，以制定假设，完成文献检索，进行观察，执行细胞/分子技术，使用实验室设备，收集和分析数据，得出结论，演讲技巧，并制定未来的问题。拟议的练习还提供了发展数学，化学，计算机科学和生物信息学技能的机会，进一步吸引学生参与生物学的跨学科性质。这项工作正在与通过其他两个NSF计划（Noyce和STEP奖）的现有奖项启动的倡议进行协调，从而提高了资源使用的效率。 将开发和提供研讨会，以使教师（~25）熟悉实验室模块及其向学生的交付。将实施严格的评估计划，以评估学生和教师从LEAPS项目中获得的收益，并将通过适当的教育期刊传播结果。所有课程和研讨会材料将提供给其他机构采用，从而增加该项目对更大的STEM教学和学习社区的影响。 在两个阿姆斯特朗校区每年35个实验室部分的成功实施证明了将单个模块或整个实验室序列转移到类似机构的可行性，特别是那些城市开放招生的学生群体。新的实验室练习和整个项目的结果正在同行评审的期刊和教育会议上传播。几个可衡量的成果已被纳入评估计划，因此，让STEM社区了解让大量入门级学生参与基于发现的活动的好处。

This project implements discovery-based laboratory modules in a large, multi-section introductory biology course at two Armstrong campuses, the main Armstrong Atlantic campus and the satellite Liberty Center Campus. The lab modules involve students in applying a suite of molecular biology techniques to screen Wolbachia from insects gathered by the students. It is based on a set of modules originally developed for high school laboratories and then up-graded and tested, by the PIs, in an honors introductory biology laboratory. Intellectual Merit: This project represents one of the many approaches being introduced into student laboratories that give students a taste of being part of the scientific process at the same time it benefits the scientific community by adding to an important data base. Laboratories are being used to help reinforce understanding of basic biology principles that are difficult for students to understand. In addition students are learning to work in collaborative groups to develop hypotheses, complete literature searches, make observations, perform cellular/molecular techniques, use laboratory equipment, collect and analyze data, make conclusions, work on presentation skills, and formulate future questions. The proposed exercises also provide opportunities to develop mathematics, chemistry, computer science, and bioinformatics skills, further engaging students in the interdisciplinary nature of biology. The work is being coordinated with initiatives started through existing awards in two other NSF programs, a Noyce and a STEP award, resulting in much greater efficiency in use of resources. Workshops will be developed and offered to acquaint faculty (~25) with the laboratory modules and their delivery to the students. A rigorous evaluation plan will be implemented to assess student and faculty gains from the LEAPS project and results will be disseminated through appropriate educational journals. All course and workshop materials will be available for other institutions to adopt thereby increasing the impact of the project on the greater STEM teaching and learning community.Broader Impact: Successful implementation in 35 lab sections per year at two Armstrong campuses is demonstrating the feasibility of transference of individual modules or the entire lab sequence to similar institutions, especially those with urban, open-enrollment student populations. Novel laboratory exercises and overall project results are being disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at educational conferences. Several measurable outcomes have been incorporated into the evaluation plan and therefore inform the STEM community about the benefits of engaging large numbers of introductory-level students in discovery-based activities.