The Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences Network (CUREnet) was initiated in 2012 with funding from the National Science Foundation program for Coordination Networks Biology Education. CUREnet aims to address topics, problems, and opportunities inherent integrating research experiences into undergraduate courses. During meetings discussions, it became apparent that there is need a clear definition of what constitutes CURE systematic exploration makes CUREs meaningful terms student...

Constructing explanations is an essential skill for all science learners. The goal of this project was to model the key components expert explanation molecular and cellular mechanisms. As such, we asked: What appropriate used by biology experts explain mechanisms? Do made from different subdisciplines at a university support validity model? Guided modeling framework R. S. Justi J. K. Gilbert, initial tested asking seven biologists mechanism their choice. Data were collected interviews,...

It is essential to teach students about experimental design, as this facilitates their deeper understanding of how most biological knowledge was generated and gives them tools perform own investigations. Despite the importance area, surprisingly little known what actually learn from designing experiments. In paper, we describe a rubric for design (RED) that can be used measure diagnose difficulties with design. The development validation RED informed by literature review empirical analysis...

The aim of this study was to determine whether problem-based writing with peer review (PW-PR) improves undergraduate student performance on physiology exams. Didactic lectures were replaced assignments give students practice explaining their reasoning while solving qualitative problems, thus transferring the responsibility for abstraction and generalization students. Performance exam items about concepts taught using PW-PR compared didactic followed by group work. Calibrated Peer Review, a...

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) have been described in a range of educational contexts. Although various anticipated learning outcomes (ALOs) proposed, processes for identifying them may not be rigorous or well documented, which can lead to inappropriate assessment and speculation about what students actually learn from CUREs. In this essay, we offer user-friendly approach based on evidence an easy process identify ALOs, namely, five-step Process Identifying...

Researchers, instructors, and funding bodies in biology education are unanimous about the importance of developing students’ competence experimental design. Despite this, only limited measures available for assessing such development, especially areas molecular cellular biology. Also, existing assessments do not measure how well students use standard symbolism to visualize biological experiments. We propose an assessment-design process that 1) provides background knowledge questions...

Research shows that misconceptions about human blood circulation and gas exchange persist across grade levels. The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to investigate the prevalence persistence among prospective elementary teachers 2) evaluate effectiveness learning activities for discovering what students know can explain lung function. context an undergraduate introduction biology course taught by two professors three semesters at a state university. Independent reviewers identified five...

Career dynamics for science faculty with interests in education point the way developing this nascent career specialty.

Efforts to improve science education include university departments hiring Science Faculty with Education Specialties (SFES), scientists who take on specialized roles in within their discipline. Although these positions have existed for decades and may be growing more common, few reports investigated the SFES approach improving education. We present comprehensive data California State University (CSU) system, largest system United States. found that CSU were engaged three key arenas...

College and university science departments are increasingly taking an active role in improving education. Perhaps as a result, new type of specialized faculty position within is emerging—referred to here with education specialties (SFES)—where individual scientists focus their professional efforts on strengthening undergraduate education, kindergarten-through-12th grade conducting discipline-based research. Numerous assertions, assumptions, questions about SFES exist, yet no national studies...

A course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) is a teaching approach aimed at developing students' ability to conduct novel research. Although perceptions of their learning during CUREs may not reflect actual student learning, such surveys provide convenient and useful metric for course evaluation. Instructors can use survey findings both improve instruction identify areas difficulty. various reports have presented data on CUREs, these delved deeply into perceived knowledge,...

Abstract Recently, both science and technology faculty have been recognizing biological research competencies that are valued but rarely assessed. Some of these learning outcomes include scientific methods thinking, critical assessment primary papers, quantitative reasoning, communication, putting into a historical broader social context. This article presents examples Calibrated Peer Review (CPR) assignments illustrate computer‐assisted method to help students achieve competencies. A new...

Abstract Several course‐based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) have been published in the literature. However, only limited attempts made to rigorously identify discovery‐type abilities that students actually develop during such experiences. Instead, there has a greater focus on technical or procedural‐type knowledge general CURE skills are too comprehensive effectively assess. Before extent of learning outcomes can be established (termed verified VLOs), it is important anticipated...

One purpose of the current study was to establish whether vasoconstriction occurs in all vessel types response H 2 O . Isometric force measured pulmonary venous and arterial rings, isobaric contractions were mesenteric arteries veins A second determine -induced contraction is calcium independent. The addition calcium-depleted (using Ca 2+ ionophore ionomycin zero EGTA buffer) muscle caused contraction. Furthermore, permeabilized contracted even final 20-kDa regulatory myosin light chain (MLC...

This study assessed student perceptions about an online information literacy tutorial, CORE (Comprehensive Online Research Education, to plan for the next generation of tutorials. The tutorial includes seven modules: "Planning Your Project," "Topic Exploration," "Types Information," "Search Tools," Strategies," "Evaluating Sources," and "Copyright, Plagiarism, Citing Sources." First-year students in biology nursing courses responded a survey after they completed modules. liked learning...

Science faculty with education specialties (SFES) are increasingly being hired across the United States. However, little is known about motivations for SFES hiring or potential actual impact of this trend. In context a recent national survey US SFES, we investigated perceptions these issues. Strikingly, their reasons were poorly aligned and contributions reported by themselves, advice that they extended to beginning was varied. Although preparation future teachers departmental teaching needs...

Since 2009, the U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences has funded Research Coordination Networks (RCN) aimed at collaborative efforts to improve participation, learning, and assessment in undergraduate biology education (UBE). RCN-UBE projects focus on coordination communication among scientists educators who are fostering improved innovative approaches education. When faculty members collaborate with overarching goal of advancing education, there is a need...

When undergraduate biology students learn to explain biological mechanisms, they face many challenges and may overestimate their understanding of living systems. Previously, we developed the MACH model four components used by expert biologists mechanisms: Methods, Analogies, Context, How. This study explores implementation in an classroom as educational tool address some known challenges. To find out how well students’ written explanations represent before after were taught about it why...

The Diagnostic Question Cluster (DQC) project integrates education research and faculty development to articulate a model for the effective transformation of introductory biology ecology teaching. Over three years, members from wide range institutions used active teaching DQCs, type concept inventory, as pre- posttests assess students' understanding concepts about energy matter across biological scales organization. Surveys instructors indicated substantial use DQCs teaching, nearly all...

Despite national guidelines to reform K-12 science education, our students are not learning any better. Conducted under the auspices of American Association for Advancement Science, a symposium examined several programs where professional scientists interact with classroom teachers improve education. Symposium participants described their projects and discussed factors that contribute or detract from each project's success. The events this critically analyzed. Four themes emerged as issues...

Physiology as a discipline is uniquely positioned to engage undergraduate students in interdisciplinary research response the 2006–2011 National Science Foundation Strategic Plan call for innovative transformational research, which emphasizes multidisciplinary projects. To prepare undergraduates careers that cross disciplinary boundaries, need practice communication academic programs connect diverse disciplines. This report surveys policy documents relevant this emphasis on training and...