Biology

AiMs Modeling Curriculum

Biology
Science
Curriculum
High

The Deep Structure Modeling (DSM) project addresses the pressing need to more effectively organize science teaching and learning around “big ideas” that run through disciplines. Big ideas are important tools for learning because they enable students to organize and link information within a consistent knowledge framework. The project includes a freely available two-week unit on teaching cellular respiration by modeling the big idea of energy.

Access Link: 
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gvm7MFh2ZHLYYRr3hMvGWggauJi8D5X3
Author/Presenter: 
The DSM Team
Lead Organization(s): 
University of Georgia (UGA)
University of Alabama (UA)
Year: 
2019
Short Description: 

The Deep Structure Modeling (DSM) project addresses the pressing need to more effectively organize science teaching and learning around “big ideas” that run through disciplines. Big ideas are important tools for learning because they enable students to organize and link information within a consistent knowledge framework. The project includes a freely available two-week unit on teaching cellular respiration by modeling the big idea of energy.

InquirySpace Investigations

Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Science
Curriculum
High

A set of NGSS-aligned investigations for each discipline (physics, chemistry, biology) designed to introduce and scaffold engagement in science practices and build an understanding of the interplay between experimental design, data collection, analysis, and explanation.

Access Link: 
https://learn.concord.org/inquiryspace
Author/Presenter: 
The InquirySpace Team
Lead Organization(s): 
Concord Consortium
Year: 
2021
Short Description: 

A set of NGSS-aligned investigations for each discipline (physics, chemistry, biology) designed to introduce and scaffold engagement in science practices and build an understanding of the interplay between experimental design, data collection, analysis, and explanation. In the process of investigating their world, students generate data using traditional lab tools, sensors, and simulations, then bring their data into our Common Online Data Analysis Platform (CODAP), which was developed specifically to facilitate sensemaking with data.

Connected Biology

Biology
Science
Curriculum
High

Connected Biology provides a sequence of lessons for high school biology that fosters integrated learning of genetics and evolution. This novel curriculum is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) performance expectations and supports students’ development of a model of the relationships between molecules, cells, organisms, and populations. The curriculum package includes online lessons, an interactive Teacher’s Edition, and a real-time Teacher Dashboard. Additional background materials and supplemental resources are also provided.

Access Link: 
https://learn.concord.org/connectedbio
Author/Presenter: 
The Connected Biology Team
Lead Organization(s): 
Concord Consortium
Michigan State University (MSU)
Year: 
2018
Short Description: 

Connected Biology provides a sequence of lessons for high school biology that fosters integrated learning of genetics and evolution. This novel curriculum is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) performance expectations and supports students’ development of a model of the relationships between molecules, cells, organisms, and populations. The curriculum package includes online lessons, an interactive Teacher’s Edition, and a real-time Teacher Dashboard. Additional background materials and supplemental resources are also provided.

National Association of Biology Teachers 2022 NABT Professional Development Conference; Indianapolis, IN

Submitted by cadre-admin on

Event Date: 
Thu, 11/10/2022 (All day) to Sun, 11/13/2022 (All day)
Sponsoring Organization: 
National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT)
Associated Dates and Deadlines: 

To learn more, visit https://nabt.org/Events-Future-Conferences.

Discipline / Topic: 
Biology
Event Type: 
Conference

Evolution: DNA and the Unity of Life

Biology
Science
Curriculum
High

"Evolution: DNA and the Unity of Life" is an eight-week, comprehensive curriculum unit that sharply illuminates the underlying role of genetics in evolution by maintaining a conceptual connection to DNA and heredity throughout. Through paper-based and interactive multimedia lessons, the unit aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) by engaging students in questioning, using models, identifying patterns, analyzing skill-level appropriate data from published scientific studies, and constructing evidence-based arguments. The unit’s lessons are organized into five modules.

Access Link: 
https://teach.genetics.utah.edu/content/evolution/
Author/Presenter: 
Genetic Science Learning Center
Lead Organization(s): 
University of Utah (U of U)
Year: 
2020
Short Description: 

"Evolution: DNA and the Unity of Life" is an eight-week, comprehensive curriculum unit that sharply illuminates the underlying role of genetics in evolution by maintaining a conceptual connection to DNA and heredity throughout.

COVID-19 Curriculum Materials

Biology
Science
Curriculum
High

This resource presents a curricular module for high school biology classes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The module is made up of 8 lessons that will likely take about 10-15 hours of instructional time. Major themes of the module include viral transmission, media literacy, data analysis, argumentation, and modeling. The following driving questions are explored:

Access Link: 
https://epiclearning.web.unc.edu/covid/
Author/Presenter: 
Troy Sadler et al
Lead Organization(s): 
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill)
Year: 
2021
Short Description: 

This resource presents a curricular module for high school biology classes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The module is made up of 8 lessons that will likely take about 10-15 hours of instructional time. Major themes of the module include viral transmission, media literacy, data analysis, argumentation, and modeling. The following driving questions are explored:

  • How do viruses such as COVID-19 spread?
  • What is the responsibility of governments, organizations, and individuals in mitigating the spread of deadly viruses?
  • What challenges do social vulnerabilities present as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Individual lessons descriptions are provided along with Teacher Guides that provide rationales for many of the design decisions made and suggestions for implementation.

Encouraging Collaboration and Building Community in Online Asynchronous Professional Development: Designing for Social Capital

Biology
Science
Professional Development
High

This research investigates a design and development approach to improving science teachers’ access to effective professional development (PD) in a fully online, asynchronous environment. Working with a small number of teachers, this study explores how a design combining social capital mechanisms with essential teacher learning and PD characteristics supported teachers’ abilities to participate in the online course and collaboratively build knowledge.

Access Link: 
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11412-020-09326-2
Author/Presenter: 
Susan A. Yoon
Katherine Miller
Thomas Richman
Daniel Wendel
Ilana Schoenfeld
Emma Anderson
Jooeun Shim
Lead Organization(s): 
University of Pennsylvania (Penn)
Year: 
2020
Short Description: 

This study explores how a design combining social capital mechanisms with essential teacher learning and PD characteristics supported teachers’ abilities to participate in the online course and collaboratively build knowledge.

The Joys of Teaching Ecology in K–12 and Informal Settings

Biology
Earth Science
Environmental Science
Science
Elementary
Middle
High

Esposito, R. M. M, Harris, C., Berkowitz, A. R., & Pregnal, M. (2019). The joys of teaching ecology in K-12 and informal settings. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 17(9), 538-539. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2122

Access Link: 
https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fee.2122
Author/Presenter: 
Rhea M  M Esposito
Cornelia Harris
Alan R Berkowitz
Maribel Pregnall
Lead Organization(s): 
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Year: 
2019
Short Description: 

This article describes opportunities for primary and secondary ecology education in formal and informal settings.

National Association of Biology Teachers 2021 NABT Professional Development Conference; Atlanta, GA

Submitted by cadre-admin on

Event Date: 
Thu, 11/11/2021 (All day) to Sun, 11/14/2021 (All day)
Sponsoring Organization: 
National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT)

To learn more, visit https://nabt.org/Events-2021-Conference.

Discipline / Topic: 
Biology
Event Type: 
Conference

WISE: Web-based Inquiry Science Environment

Biology
Earth Science
Engineering
Environmental Science
Science
Technology
Assessment
Curriculum
Middle
High

Web-Based Inquiry Science Environment (WISE)

Access Link: 
https://wise.berkeley.edu
Author/Presenter: 
Libby Gerard
Marcia Linn
Korah Wiley
Allison Bradford
Lead Organization(s): 
University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Year: 
2020
Short Description: 

Free, standards-aligned, and research-based inquiry curricula that address NGSS 3D proficiency. Includes Interactive scientific models plus hands-on activities, personalized guidance, and rich embedded assessments. For teachers, WISE offers a a virtual workshop for customizing WISE units for distance learning.

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