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Journal Article
This case explores the aggressive mimicry behavior of “femmes fatales” fireflies—female fireflies in the genus Photuris that mimic the flash pattern of females in the genus Photinus to lure Photinus males to their death. The case features entri...
Journal Article
The Genetics and Evolution of Human Skin Color
This case explores the genetics and evolution of skin color, using a short story by Kate Chopin called “Desiree’s Baby” as a starting point. Students read the story and discuss a series of questions probing the genetics of the family in the tal...
Journal Article
Accidental Drowning or Foul Play?
This case was developed for a sophomore organic chemistry lab to illustrate how a combination of techniques is usually required in the identification of chemical compounds. It involves a murder mystery with a forensic twist: Two bodies have been reco...
Journal Article
Editorial: An Inside Peek at a Case Study Workshop
Here we are again with another special issue of JCST devoted to using case study teaching in the science classroom. These cases are the product of the annual workshops presented by the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science at the Unive...
Journal Article
An Adventure in Stereochemistry
This case is based on an article that considered the problems that would arise if a person were to cross over into a mirror-image environment (Yee 2002). Some of the stereochemistry problems posed in that article are woven into this case study....
Journal Article
Outbreak! is an online, interactive educational game that helps students and teachers learn and evaluate clinical microbiology skills. When the game was used in introductory microbiology laboratories, qualitative evaluation by students showed very po...
Journal Article
Inquiry in the Large-Enrollment Science Classroom
The authors conduct research workshops twice each semester in their cell biology lecture course. Instead of solely analyzing data obtained by others, students form groups to design research questions and experimental protocols on a given topic. The m...
Journal Article
Using Scoring Rubrics to Evaluate Inquiry
This article explores the problem of assigning grades to students engaged in nontraditional activities, especially scientific inquiry. The authors suggest using scoring rubrics to guide students in their work and to assist teachers with grading. They...