Project Details
Description
The phrase "revolution" is often used to describe the transformation in biology being driven by new discoveries and emerging technologies. Recognizing this, in 2009 the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), released the report "Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education: A Call to Action" (www.visionandchange.org). Discussions involving 180 educators, 80 leaders within professional societies, and 231 biology undergraduate students, concluded that a dramatic shift is needed to better prepare young learners for careers in the sciences. Highlights from the final report and preliminary discussions include:"Old school lecture style" and "canned labs" are "frustrating, not engaging, and ineffective/uninteresting" (page 30 from Final Report); labs should be inquiry-based where results are not known ahead of time, and students should work with "real data", to "learn to deal with ambiguity" and learn that "science can be messy";We need to "introduce the scientific process to students early", "relate abstract concepts in biology to real-world examples on a regular basis", and "stimulate the curiosity students have for learning about the natural world" (page 18 from Final Report);A greater discussion is needed on "what can you do with a career in biology?" (page 19 from Preliminary Reports from Conversations);There should be more opportunities to develop communication skills including more writing assignments and student presentations with chances for feedback (page 20 from Preliminary Reports from Conversations);"Partnerships should be established or expanded to build cooperative programs between community colleges and research institutions to share teaching mentoring and research opportunities" (page 12 from Preliminary Reports from Conversations).One noteworthy recommendation on graduate education is made, which we believe also extends to postdoctoral fellows:"Graduate programs should establish the expectation that their program graduates will have expertise in teaching and teaching scholarship" (page 12 from Preliminary Reports from Conversations).We propose the development of a food safety laboratory-based active learning program that addresses these six bullet points by: 1. leading students through inquiry-based food safety exercises over two summers; 2. focusing on 1st and 2nd year undergraduate students; 3. teaching students from biology and related disciplines about careers in the Agricultural Sciences; 4. developing communication skills through writing, poster presentations, and oral presentations; 5. strengthening partnerships between Penn State and undergraduate-focused colleges and universities; 6. providing graduate student and postdoctoral fellows the opportunity to develop skills needed for training the next generation.
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 6/1/17 → 5/31/22 |
Funding
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture: $281,072.00