Biol 201 Agenda for Day 1 Instructor: Ken Marr

1. Biol 201 Agenda for Day 1Instructor: Ken Marr • Before sitting down pick up…. • Biology 201 syllabus (skim through it!) • Brief Introduction to Course • Form Groups • Groups will work together daily (for the entire quarter?) • Group activities for today: • Introduction to the Scientific Method • Night Light Case Study Due before the end of class tomorrow!

2. Introduction to Class • Class meeting days and times(page 3 of syllabus) • Sections A & B in SC-240 • Monday and Tuesday: 8:00 - 9:50 a.m. • Friday: 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. • Lab in SC-243 • Section A: Wednesdays: 8:00 - 9:50 a.m. • Section B: Thursdays: 8:00 - 9:50 a.m. • Course Prerequisites(page 1 of syllabus) • Modes of instruction—Active Learning with little lecturing(page 1 of syllabus)

3. Why Use Collaborative and Active Learning & Little Lecturing? From data collected at the National Training Laboratories (NTL) Bethel, Maine, USA

4. Why Use Collaborative and Active Learning & Little Lecturing? “You don’t really understand something until you canexplain it to your grandmother” (Albert Einstein) • Class time in Biology 201 is structured so you can teach and learn from others.

5. Intended Outcomes of Collaborative Learning • Enhance your learning and the retention of concepts learned via peer-to-peer teaching and helping others • Students in collaboratively taught classes out-perform those in the same course where lecturing is the major means of instruction. • Enhance the quality of work submitted • Help catch and reduce the number mistakes and misconceptions people tend to make when working on their own • Identify difficulties within groups and then bring to the full class for discussion and clarification • Facilitate the Development of good study habits • Develop your skills working with others in a group • Foster the development of responsibility for the learning of others as well as your own • Facilitate the use of study groups outside of class

6. Introduction to Class • Textbook and required materials(page 1 of syllabus) • Lab Manual and Active Learning Exercises: • Not Required return for 100% refund! • Handouts will be provided in class! • Office Hours(page 1 of syllabus) Mondays:11:00 - 11:50 in SC-323 or SC-214 (office) Wednesdays:11:00 - 11:50 in SC-323 or SC-214 (office) Thursdays:2:15 - 3:15 in SC-214 (office) Fridays:9:00 - 10:00 in SC-240 or SC-214 (office) 11:00 - 12:00 in SC-323 or SC-214 (office) And by mutual arrangement • Topics and Chapters Covered in Biol 201(page 2 of syllabus) • Tentative Schedule(Page 12 of syllabus) • Brief Introduction to the Scientific Method….

7. The Process of Science • Observe the natural world • Ask a scientific question (or questions) based on one’s observations • Construct a testablehypothesis to answer the question • Write as an “If .... , then ....” statement • Test the hypothesis via controlled experiments or pertinent observations • Draw conclusions: Evaluate the hypothesis based on the data resulting from the experiments—revise hypothesis if necessary • Communicate results to your peers: Publish results in a scientific journal

8. Today’s Team Activities Use “Grouper” to select teams • Your team will work together the entire quarter • Determine each person’s role for today and tomorrow’s sessions Work on the following Activities with your Team • Introduction to The Scientific Method • Carefully read the instructions and • Night Light Case Study • Part 1: Night lights no comfort for children's eyes • Part 2: New light on night lights • Your team will be given part 2 after completing part 1 General Instructions • Record yourresponses on your handout • Recorder records your team’s responses on the “Recorder’s Report” • Each Team’s “Recorder’s Report” is due tomorrow before the end of class.

10. The Process of Science in Action Good News for Nightlights–(Morning Edition, 3/10/00) NPR's Vicky Que reports that according to a new study in Nature magazine leaving a nightlight in a toddlers room does not appear to lead to myopia later in life. This latest report contradicts an earlier finding that found a link between myopia and nighttime lighting in children younger than 2 years old. (3:25) http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/me/20000309.me.04.ram

11. What’s a Scientific Question? Scientific Questions are... • Testable • Definable • Measurable • Controllable Is the following a scientific question? Does Hormone replacement therapy decrease the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis in women?

12. The Process of Science in Action • Estrogen and Cardiac Health(NPR’s All Things Considered, 4/5/00)Women who've reached menopause face a big decision ... whether to take replacement hormones touted as being able to reduce the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. But several recent studies have suggested that hormones may slightly increase the risk of heart disease. And now federal researchers are sending letters to women in a large trial saying that there does seem to be an initial increase in heart attacks and strokes. But the final word isn’t in ... early data suggested that after two years, the extra risk may go away. (4:00)http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/atc/20000405.atc.08.rmm

13. Controlling Variables is a Major Challenge! Variables to consider: • Independent variable, • Dependent variables and • Controlled variables • Independent variable • The thing (variable) tested or manipulated to see what impact it has on the dependent variable. What is the Indep. Var. in the HRT study? • The independent variable is the factor that causes the dependent variable to change. • An experiment should have only one independent variable! Why?

14. Dependent Variables & Controlled Variables • Dependent variables (e.g. in HRT study?) • The thing(s) measured, counted, or observed in an experiment. (examples??) • The independent variable is the factor that causes the dependent variable(s) to change. • Controlled Variables (e.g. in HRT study?) • The variables that are kept constant during an experiment. • We assume that independent variable is the only factor affecting the dependent variable. • This can only be true if all other variables are controlled (i.e. Held constant)

15. Group Activity • Say hello and introduce yourselves. • Discuss why each of you is taking the class. • Select a “recorder” by finding the person in your group whose birthday is closest to today’s date. • Record the following on a sheet of paper • Your group number at the top of a sheet of paper. • 1st and last names of all group members • Next to each name: college major, long-term educational and professional goals, how this class is related to these goals • After reviewing the course syllabus write 2-3 questions that your group has about the course, your instructor, course policies , etc.