Institute for Biology Teachers

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Workshop for New and Pre-Service Biology Teachers

This annual workshop held the weekend of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is specifically designed for new teachers K-12 (generally pre-tenure) and pre-service teachers (students enrolled in a college or university program leading to certification in secondary education).

• Workshop Photos

Preliminary Schedule for 2007 Workshop

Session Activities

Session 1

1. Elodea
   This lab involves the qualitative measurement of the changes in carbon dioxide concentration associated with both respiration and photosynthesis in the fresh water plant Elodea. Bromthymol blue is used as an indicator for the presence of CO₂ in solution. When CO₂ dissolves in water, carbonic acid is formed. A bromthymol blue solution, acidified to pH 6.0 by the addition of carbon dioxide produces a yellow color. The blue color is restored when the CO₂ is removed and the pH becomes higher than 7.6.
   Students are responsible for the basic design of this investigation. Given a list of tasks, and the student background sheet entitled "Photosynthesis and Respiration in Elodea," they are asked to design an experiment which will allow them to demonstrate the use of CO₂ by a green plant in photosynthesis, and net production of CO₂ (by respiration) in the absence of photosynthetic activity.
2. The Spice Lab
   Do you like to eat Thai or spicy Mexican food? Ever wonder why we eat spices? Do we just like spicy food or do they provide some useful function? This session will introduce you to the study of ethnobotany and Darwinian Gastronomy . We will talk about where spices are used and what antimicrobial properties they have been shown to have. All participants will participate in an inquiry based activity that allows students to test the antibacterial properties of spices.

Session 2

3. Ladybug Kit
   Designed by Cornell Integrated Pest Management and Department of Entomology, this trunk contains a cornucopia of insect-centric activities and resources for grades K-6. Come see the newest addition to the CIBT lending library.
4. Behavior of the Siamese Fighting Fish
   This laboratory exercise is designed to give high school students experience in using the scientific method. Students design and conduct their own research studies on the behavior of Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) that are kept in classroom aquaria.

Session 3

5. How Many CATs?
   In this paper simulation, students will "cut" DNA samples from a mother, a baby, a husband, and a rape suspect using a restriction endonuclease. They will then "run" the DNA fragments on a "gel" to simulate the process of electrophoresis. A fluorescent probe is then washed over the gel. Finally, students will analyze the gel to identify the father of the baby.
6. Teeth
   In this session, Suitable for grades 2-8, we will show off CIBT's Teeth Kit, with which students can investigate the characteristics of teeth and what teeth can tell about an animal's lifestyle. This kit includes 10 teeth for students to sort and analyze. Students will also be able to make predictions as to what sort of animal the teeth came from. The unit will conclude with a study of jaws from carnivores, herbivores and omnivores. Based on the teeth structure, students will hypothesize which jaws belong to which type of animal.

Session 4

7. Statistics and Probability in Evaluation of DNA Evidence
   In this lab students will apply statistical analysis to the DNA profiling results of an actual rape case. This lab is an extension of DNA profiling labs which students have previously completed. In part I of this exercise, students will use sets of candy to represent alleles in a particular population at a particular locus. They will sample "alleles" from "populations" at three "loci," estimate frequencies of alleles in those samples and calculate probabilities of particular combinations of alleles.
8. Galls
   This investigation examines natural selection and co-evolution using goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), its stem gall insect (Eurosta solidaginis), and associated parasites, parasitoids, and predators that feed upon the stem gall insect. Through measurements of gall size and an investigation of events occurring within the galls, a correlation between gall size, frequency of predation, and type of predator can be made. An analysis of histograms and data tables charted from gall measurements and frequencies of various events leads to the conclusion that parasitic organisms select goldenrod galls within specific ranges of size. A statistical analysis using standard deviation and tests of reliability also lead to the conclusion that the forces of natural selection and co-evolution are operating within this stem system.

Session 5

9. The Broken Heart
   The Broken Heart is an activity during which students familiarize themselves with the structure of the heart. They locate the atria, ventricles, and major blood vessels. Through "surgical" procedures, students perform coronary bypass surgery and correct patent ductus arteriosus. Human and dog hearts are compared in terms of common structure and defects.
10. Evolving Trees
    This exercise introduces the basic methods of phylogenetic analysis. Students are asked to hypothesize the evolutionary relationships of groups of organisms and to become familiar with the methods for building evolutionary trees using the basic principles of taxonomy and classification. We will then compare "traditional" classification based on physical characteristics with more recent molecular techniques.

Application

The application deadline was December 15. To receive announcements about future workshops, please subscribe to CIBT-info-L.