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Shining a Light
Fifth graders delve into the nature of science and technology by investigating the stars
Teaching Through Trade Books
Patterns From Earth’s Place in Space
Science and Children—November/December 2022 (Volume 60, Issue 2)
By Christine Anne Royce
formative assessment probes
Eliciting Students’ Initial Ideas About the Sun–Earth System
the poetry of science
Earth’s Place in the Universe
Science and Children—November/December 2022 (Volume 60, Issue 2)
By Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong
The Early Years
Space Science Explorations as Equity
Early Childhood Resources Review
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth
Editor's Note
Earth’s Place in the Universe
Science and Children—November/December 2022 (Volume 60, Issue 2)
By Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn
special feature
Service-Learning Through Citizen Science in a COVID-Adapted Classroom
Journal of College Science Teaching—November/December 2022 (Volume 52, Issue 2)
By Joanna J. Cielocha
Classrooms were turned upside down amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, which began approximately halfway through the spring 2020 semester. A service-learning project was implemented in my section of a general biology course for majors. With the shutdown of academic institutions and other businesses or government agencies, service was not achievable. Instead, students were offered the opportunity to complete service through citizen science using Zooniverse (www.zooniverse.org). Given that the pandemic extended into the 2020–21 academic year, course content and delivery continued to be adjusted. Service-learning was fully adapted to citizen science for spring 2021. Students surpassed the service requirement, with more than half of the class performing at least 100 entries more than the 200-entry requirement. Students reflected on their service and tended to move from a state of apprehension to a state of appreciation by the end of their service. Service through citizen science offers increased flexibility for diverse student learners.
Classrooms were turned upside down amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, which began approximately halfway through the spring 2020 semester. A service-learning project was implemented in my section of a general biology course for majors. With the shutdown of academic institutions and other businesses or government agencies, service was not achievable. Instead, students were offered the opportunity to complete service through citizen science using Zooniverse (www.zooniverse.org).
Classrooms were turned upside down amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, which began approximately halfway through the spring 2020 semester. A service-learning project was implemented in my section of a general biology course for majors. With the shutdown of academic institutions and other businesses or government agencies, service was not achievable. Instead, students were offered the opportunity to complete service through citizen science using Zooniverse (www.zooniverse.org).
Research & Teaching
A Process of Pedagogical Change in College Science Education
Instructor Perspectives
This article aims to explore the experiences of science instructors who are active participants in the design and enactment of an interdisciplinary science course with student-centered pedagogy in a large-enrollment class. The data were collected through interviews with instructors and analyzed using the inductive thematic approach. Results show that the instructors discussed the benefits and challenges of using the previous passive-lecture format of the science course. Instructors believed that even though the previous format is easy to implement, it does not help students understand how scientists approach complex problems. In the new approach, the instructors prepared learning objectives to address expected learning outcomes. They integrated diverse research-based instructional strategies to enhance students’ learning and interest in science but encountered some challenges. The instructors’ experiences illustrate that planning and enacting an interactive science learning with an interdisciplinary approach is possible in undergraduate science education with appropriate support.
This article aims to explore the experiences of science instructors who are active participants in the design and enactment of an interdisciplinary science course with student-centered pedagogy in a large-enrollment class. The data were collected through interviews with instructors and analyzed using the inductive thematic approach. Results show that the instructors discussed the benefits and challenges of using the previous passive-lecture format of the science course.
This article aims to explore the experiences of science instructors who are active participants in the design and enactment of an interdisciplinary science course with student-centered pedagogy in a large-enrollment class. The data were collected through interviews with instructors and analyzed using the inductive thematic approach. Results show that the instructors discussed the benefits and challenges of using the previous passive-lecture format of the science course.
Research & Teaching
Computing in Bioinformatics and Engaged Student Learning
Student Perspectives on Anticipatory Activities and Innovative Apps
Journal of College Science Teaching—November/December 2022 (Volume 52, Issue 2)
By Tina A. Marcroft, Chris Rasmussen, and Scott T. Kelley
The field of biology education—and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines more broadly—has witnessed two major shifts in the past decade: (i) the increased awareness of research-based instructional strategies (RBIS) that are beneficial for student learning, and (ii) a recognition of the importance of computing in industry and academia. However, uptake of RBIS remains low and opportunities for students to learn computing skills are limited. In this article, we present a combination of novel bioinformatics computing apps and associated anticipatory activities embedded in context. This case study examines students’ experiences with these apps and activities as enacted in a student-centered classroom that embraced a variety of RBIS.