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21st-Century Skills Curriculum
Projects
developed by
Jane Pfeilsticker
BSC
1005
FIPSE assignments for Biology
1. INCORPORATE A 30 MINUTE
CLASS DEMONSTRATION OF TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS
a. Demonstrate the use of CD ROM and web sites that accompany text
b. Demonstrate the use of the Virtual Library online
c. Demonstrate online search for scientific information. Include a
discussion of valid scientific sources of information as opposed to
anecdotal reports by individuals.
2. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE
AND CRITICAL THINKING EXERCISE
a. Student must choose an article pertaining to a scientific topic or
discovery from the popular press. (Newspaper article, magazine article,
etc.)
b. Student must research the scientific literature for the actual journal
article or articles on which the popular press article was based.
c. Student must assess the accuracy of the popular press article and decide
the validity of the claims made within the article based on the findings
reported in the scientific literature.3.
3. MINI INTERNSHIPS FOR
HONORS CREDIT
a. Student must choose a professional working in their chosen employment
field.
b. Student must shadow the professional for a total of 20 hours.
c. Student then must write a 10 page paper discussing the experience. This
paper must include the education and professional history of the
professional shadowed as well as a description of the actual work performed
by the professional.
4. POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS
a. Students are assigned to working groups consisting of 4 individuals
b. The group must decide on a current topic in biology to present to the
class.
c. All group members must participate in the presentation
d. The presentation must be in power point format
e. The students present to their class mates.
f. Evaluation is based on group member assessment of each participants'
contribution as well as the instructors evaluation of the accuracy of
information and the difficulty of material covered.
5. SITE VISIT TO
BIOLOGY RESEARCH OR PRODUCTION FACILITY
a. Organize a trip to a local research or bio-production facility
b. Require students to formulate 3 questions to ask of the operations
personnel at the visit site.
6. INCORPORATION OF
COMMUNICATION SKILLS INTO TESTING
a. Instruct students in appropriate essay formats
b. Incorporate at least one essay question in each exam.
c. Require at least one out of class writing assignment per semester.
7. INCORPORATION OF MATH
SKILLS
a. Include quantitative analysis of genotypes in Mendilian Genetics section
b. Require students to calculate probabilities of various genotypes using
punnett square analysis
8. INCORPORATION OF
COMMUNITY SERVICE
a. Lecture on degradation times for various common litter and pollutants
b. Organize a campus, beach, or road side clean-up and require students to
participate.
9. INCORPORATION OF
PERSONAL SKILLS
a. Assign a portion of the course grade to attendance.
b. Deduct points from grade for tardy arrivals
c. Require appropriate laboratory attire in courses with a laboratory
component. Students failing to wear lab attire receive a 0 for the lab
exercise.
10. DEBATE
a. Choose a current topic that is of local interest. A topic that is to be
presented to the voting public for decision works well for this.
b. Assign students to research the topic and choose a stance either in favor
of or not in favor of the issue statement.
c. Devote at least one half of a class to cary out the debate.
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