All Biology resources

Journal Article

Adapting a Field Research Course to High School Biology: Twenty Years of Leading Teenagers to do Science in the Woods

Direct experiences in the living world are a major ally in helping students understand biology and the practice of science, and in fostering a lifelong love for nature. The positive impact of field study on students’ experiences and outcomes, and t...

By Barry McPhail

Biology Environmental Science Inquiry Interdisciplinary Pedagogy Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Saving Our Water: Engagement Strategies for Designing Collaborative Community-Based Solutions

In recent years, some communities have experienced extreme conditions of drought: reduced water supply for farms, increased wildfires, and decreased water availability in reservoirs and groundwater basins. This article details how high school juniors...

By Raven Mangiante, Elaine Silva Mangiante

High School Biology Citizen Science Earth & Space Science Environmental Science Interdisciplinary

Journal Article

Increased Student Employment is Associated with Inferior Biology Exam and Course Performance

Rising tuition rates across colleges and universities contribute to the mounting financial strain on students. In response to rising costs, literature details that students would seek to bolster their financial security by working additional hours pe...

By Finley Sims, Megan O'Connor, Jana Weber, Keenan Hartert

Postsecondary Assessment Biology Careers

Journal Article

A Model for International Summer Research Experiences for STEM Students

In this article, we report on a National Science Foundation-funded immersive international summer research program for biology students. Six students, representing Cohort 1 of a three-year program, spent nine weeks at one of three institutes in Japan...

By Mika Munakata, Su San Lim, Carlos Molina

Biology Interdisciplinary Research STEM

Journal Article

It’s personal and pedagogical: Peer Learning Assistants use multiple strategies to support student learning in college biology courses

As introductory college science courses transition from large, passive lectures to more student-centered active learning environments, additional instructional support may be needed. Peer Learning Assistants (PLAs) can aid course transformations by h...

By Brittney Ferrari, Peyton LaBonte, Julie Kittleson

Biology Pedagogy Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Developing Critical Thinking in Biology Through Progressive Writing Assignments

Critical thinking is essential in academia and the workforce. Although writing can be used as a pedagogical tool for fostering deeper subject matter understanding, increased retention, and critical thinking, relatively few science courses are writing...

By Irene Guttilla Reed, Michelle Kraczkowski, Steven Pearlman

Biology Inquiry Interdisciplinary Literacy Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Exploring Beneficial Species Interactions: A Phenomenon-Driven Approach to Understanding Legumes and Rhizobia Mutualism

This phenomenon-driven unit focuses on students making sense of the mutually beneficial species interactions between legumes and rhizobia. Many science classes spend less time studying the nitrogen cycle due to time constraints and more focus on othe...

By Kerrie Rovito, Lara Smetana, Michael Grillo, Alyssa Hoffman, Sydney DelGhingaro

Biology Phenomena Sensemaking

Journal Article

Journey of the Monarchs: Studying North America’s Nomadic Butterfly

Citizen Science November/December 2024...

By Jill Nugent

Middle School Biology Citizen Science Inquiry Instructional Materials Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

“Black is Beautiful”: A Culturally Relevant/Responsive High School Biology Lesson

This biology lesson uses the science of central dogma to “critique and question the politics of representation that systematically devalue[s] Blackness” (hooks, 1995, p.131). Students’ understanding of protein synthesis is extended in discussin...

By Eddie Taylor

High School Biology Equity Inclusion Interdisciplinary Life Science

Journal Article

Cultivating Teachers’ Indigenous Knowledge through Explorations of Milkweed and Phenology

Providing more equitable pedagogies to all students, including those who are traditionally underrepresented, is a high priority of science education. In this paper, we outline how we coupled Indigenous Ways of Knowing with investigations about plant ...

By Hillary Barron, Emily Mohl, Michele Koomen

High School Biology Inquiry Multicultural Pedagogy

Journal Article

Can a simple metacognitive intervention influence students’ knowledge, behavior, and performance?

Metacognition is often described as the awareness and regulation of learning. It uses strategies which include monitoring one’s own thinking, engaging in active planning and self-evaluating one’s study habits. Bloom’s taxonomy can be used as a...

By Kathleen Hefferon, Esther Angert, Anna Levina

Biology New Science Teachers Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Investigating Effects of Emergency Remote Teaching on Biology Teaching Assistants and their Approaches to Teaching

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Biology Teaching Assistants (TAs) were tasked with transitioning and adapting their instruction to an online environment by quickly implementing Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) practices. Effective online and in-person ...

By Amy Kulesza, Susan D'Agostino, Lucía Chacón-Díaz

Postsecondary Biology Distance Learning Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Snapshot Safari: Elephant Edition

Citizen Science article for the September/ October 2024 issue of Science Scope...

By Jill Nugent

Biology Citizen Science Earth & Space Science Life Science