The project described in this article explores how a series of conceptual ecological models can be used to portray the improvement in ecological understanding over the span of a short course. The course involved high school teachers working collaboratively on ecological research projects. Teachers were asked to construct qualitative conceptual models (a diagram of important ecosystem components...

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library

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Many undergraduates are challenged in their understanding of evolutionary biology because they harbor deeply held misconceptions about basic evolutionary concepts that are highly resistant to instruction. This paper presents results of eight years of practitioner research to improve my teaching and my students’ learning of evolution in an introductory biology course at Widener University...

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library

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Students investigate the factors that control the rate at which CO2 is emitted from soil using simple soil chambers and soda lime in a field experiment. Students in small groups design and conduct their own experiments to investigate the effects of soil and microclimate factors on CO2 emission. The projects are typically conducted over two consecutive lab periods. During the first session students...

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library

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In this lab experiment, students learn about ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal properties associated with two host tree species to better under understand symbioses in general and gain experience using soil sampling and mycorrhizal field methods. Students will learn in more depth about terms and concepts related to symbioses (e.g. mutualisms, coevolution, host specificity) and about specific...

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library

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Lab exercise to teach principles of sampling and developing species accumulation curves, using the game pieces from a Scrabble® board game.

Publisher: EcoEd Digital Library

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