1,773 research outputs found

    Laboratory activity to effectively teach introductory geomicrobiology concepts to non-geology majors

    Get PDF
    We have designed a three-week experiment that can complement any microbiology course, to teach main geomicrobiology concepts for non-geology majors. One of the most difficult concepts for non-geology majors to comprehend is how bacteria serve as a platform for different mineralization reactions. In our three-week laboratory practice, students learn the main principles and conditions required for an induced bacterial mineralization. Upon completion of the laboratory experience, students will: 1) learn how microbial-induced mineralization (such as calcium carbonate formation) is affected by differential media and growth conditions; 2) understand how bacterial physiology affects any induced in situ or in vitro mineralization; 3) comprehend how growing conditions and bacterial physiologies interrelate, resulting in differential crystal formation. The teaching-learning process was assessed using a pre-/posttest with an increase from 26% to 76% in the number of positive answers from the students. We also measured the students' proficiency while conducting specific technical tasks, revealing no major difficulties while conducting the experiments. A final questionnaire was provided with satisfactory evaluations from the students regarding the organization and content of the practices. 84-86% of the students agreed that the exercises improved their knowledge in geomicrobiology and would like to attend similar laboratories in the future. Such response is the best indicator that the laboratory practice can be implemented in any undergraduate/graduate microbiology course to effectively teach basic geomicrobiology concepts to non-geology majors

    Profiling our students' learning orchestrations to evaluate the biology curriculum

    Get PDF
    © 2018, Institute for Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education. We have identified the major shifts in individual student study orchestrations over the first semester of a university biology course. We offer evidence that our curriculum, designed and taught by generalist biologists, has engaged generalist degree students. Professional degree students have not engaged with this course to the same level and many were demonstrably dissonant. At the end of semester, dissonant students, from both generalist and professional degrees, demonstrated little engagement with the curriculum, which is consistent with previous reports of the high degree of disengagement of first year students. The challenge to improve the engagement of students in professional degrees and to address the tendency towards dissonance and disengagement by our first year students is discussed and improvements in engagement are likely to be aided by systems that allow students to assess for themselves their approaches to study and conceptions of discipline development over the course of their degree

    Laboratory activity to effectively teach introductory geomicrobiology concepts to non-geology majors

    Get PDF
    We have designed a three-week experiment that can complement any microbiology course, to teach main geomicrobiology concepts for non-geology majors. One of the most difficult concepts for non-geology majors to comprehend is how bacteria serve as a platform for different mineralization reactions. In our three-week laboratory practice, students learn the main principles and conditions required for an induced bacterial mineralization. Upon completion of the laboratory experience, students will: 1) learn how microbial-induced mineralization (such as calcium carbonate formation) is affected by differential media and growth conditions; 2) understand how bacterial physiology affects any induced in situ or in vitro mineralization; 3) comprehend how growing conditions and bacterial physiologies interrelate, resulting in differential crystal formation. The teaching-learning process was assessed using a pre-/posttest with an increase from 26% to 76% in the number of positive answers from the students. We also measured the students' proficiency while conducting specific technical tasks, revealing no major difficulties while conducting the experiments. A final questionnaire was provided with satisfactory evaluations from the students regarding the organization and content of the practices. 84-86% of the students agreed that the exercises improved their knowledge in geomicrobiology and would like to attend similar laboratories in the future. Such response is the best indicator that the laboratory practice can be implemented in any undergraduate/graduate microbiology course to effectively teach basic geomicrobiology concepts to non-geology majors

    Understanding Students' Experiences After Incorporating Indigenous Perspectives in a Postgraduate Science Communication Subject.

    Full text link
    Many Australian universities have recently incorporated Indigenous graduate attributes into their programs, and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is no exception. This project aimed to investigate students’ perceptions and experiences of learning about Indigenous Knowledge systems and culture while developing science communication skills. Advanced Communication Skills in Science is a core subject in the Master of Science program at UTS. An existing assessment task, a three-minute thesis style oral presentation, was reworked to include the Indigenous Graduate Attribute (IGA) developed for the Faculty of Science. Students researched an aspect of Indigenous Science, an area of emerging interest for cultural and scientific understanding, and a mechanism for empowering Australia’s diverse first nations peoples. They then presented their key message in three minutes using a single PowerPoint slide. This task allowed students to demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of multiple ways of developing understandings of nature while enhancing their ability to understand the role of science communication in the modern world. Students were surveyed at the beginning and end of the semester to establish their Indigenous Science conceptions and reflect on their experiences. Students demonstrated an outstanding ability to integrate appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, experience, and analysis into a key message. Most students reported greater familiarity with concepts such as Indigenous Science and provided richer definitions of what this means. When asked if understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and cultural practices might impact their practice as a scientist, many felt their perspective had changed and that reflecting on their cultural values and beliefs had improved their cultural capability. Most students responded that this subject challenged (at least to a degree) some firmly held assumptions, ideas, and beliefs

    Informe sobre la mina San Daniel

    Full text link
    La Carolina. Memorias e informe

    Título: Bando 1740 05 02

    Get PDF
    Bando dado en Valencia el día 2 de Mayo de 1740Tít. tomado de comienzo de text

    Healthy communities

    Get PDF
    There is considerable knowledge of how to enhance the health of communities through reshaping their environments, particularly the urban environments in which people increasingly live. We have much less understanding of how to deliver these healthier urban environments. This paper reviews the research on four key urban health problematics – sanitation and wastewater treatment, transportation and mobility, the urban heat island impacts, and indoor air quality – and considers the implications for urban planning and management
    • …
    corecore