Researcher innovation and leadership skills are fundamental for creating implementable solutions to pressing societal and market-based global problems. The Research to Innovation to Society (R2I2S) program is a transformative approach to graduate education, training students at the intersection of research, innovation, and leadership. In this article, we detail the design of the program and a 3-year exploratory investigation of its impact at one research university in the western United States.

Researcher innovation and leadership skills are fundamental for creating implementable solutions to pressing societal and market-based global problems. The Research to Innovation to Society (R2I2S) program is a transformative approach to graduate education, training students at the intersection of research, innovation, and leadership. In this article, we detail the design of the program and a 3-year exploratory investigation of its impact at one research university in the western United States.

Physical and life science disciplines emphasize how basic structural units influence function, yet it is challenging for students to understand structure-function relationships, particularly at molecular scales. Undergraduates in our biology capstone course struggled to connect mutations in a gene encoding a key protein in a cell development regulation pathway to the function of that protein. We hypothesized that physical molecular models and interactive activities exploring the pathway would help students overcome this learning challenge.

Physical and life science disciplines emphasize how basic structural units influence function, yet it is challenging for students to understand structure-function relationships, particularly at molecular scales. Undergraduates in our biology capstone course struggled to connect mutations in a gene encoding a key protein in a cell development regulation pathway to the function of that protein. We hypothesized that physical molecular models and interactive activities exploring the pathway would help students overcome this learning challenge.

Volume 4, Issue 6

Volume 4, Issue 6

Volume 4, Issue 6

In science education, the value of the constructivist methodology has long been integrated with experiential and hands-on learning while offering a framework for teaching and learning. In recent pre- and future postpandemic times, as various online modalities have been leveraged in the teaching of science, there should be a complementary approach taken to content and experiences in the online environment.

In science education, the value of the constructivist methodology has long been integrated with experiential and hands-on learning while offering a framework for teaching and learning. In recent pre- and future postpandemic times, as various online modalities have been leveraged in the teaching of science, there should be a complementary approach taken to content and experiences in the online environment.

Historically, undergraduate anatomy and physiology (A&P) has been a challenging course for incorporating conceptual learning techniques due to large class sizes and an emphasis on content and terminology. The project utilized the Predict-Observe-Explain (POE) strategy to create short activities based on real-world scenarios that incorporated A&P course material with the overarching concept of homeostasis. A total of five activities centered around the concept of homeostasis were created for the first semester of an introductory undergraduate A&P course.

Historically, undergraduate anatomy and physiology (A&P) has been a challenging course for incorporating conceptual learning techniques due to large class sizes and an emphasis on content and terminology. The project utilized the Predict-Observe-Explain (POE) strategy to create short activities based on real-world scenarios that incorporated A&P course material with the overarching concept of homeostasis. A total of five activities centered around the concept of homeostasis were created for the first semester of an introductory undergraduate A&P course.

Acceptance of human evolution seems to be the majority position for the U.S. population; however, acceptance of evolution among conservative Christian groups is low, sometimes below 50%. There are many different reasons for this low acceptance, leading to a significant disconnect between scientific specialists and the general population. This study examined students in an introductory biology class at a large public university. Semistructured in-person interviews were conducted to better understand students’ belief in evolution, or their lack thereof.

Acceptance of human evolution seems to be the majority position for the U.S. population; however, acceptance of evolution among conservative Christian groups is low, sometimes below 50%. There are many different reasons for this low acceptance, leading to a significant disconnect between scientific specialists and the general population. This study examined students in an introductory biology class at a large public university. Semistructured in-person interviews were conducted to better understand students’ belief in evolution, or their lack thereof.