Category Archives: Experimental design

The Incredibly Stretchy Condom, Revisited

Posted on September 2, 2019 by nonmajorsbiology

It has been about 6 years since I wrote about the “Process and Tools of Science” lab in which students learn metric units of measure while they experiment with condoms. I still love this activity and use it every semester, … Continue reading →

Posted in Experimental design, Laboratory activities | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

If you don’t know ABLE yet, you should

Posted on June 27, 2016 by nonmajorsbiology

I just got back from the 2016 conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE). If you teach biology labs at any level, you really should check it out. It’s hands-down my favorite meeting of the year because it’s about … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic conferences, Experimental design, Laboratory activities, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Teaching the Biomes: A Different Approach

Posted on December 3, 2014 by nonmajorsbiology

I feel like I can do a pretty good job lecturing on most topics at a level that will hold the attention of nonmajors, but two exceptions are cell organelles and biomes. Don’t get me wrong — I love teaching … Continue reading →

Posted in Active learning, Ecology, Engaging students, Evolution, Experimental design, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Teaching Experimental Design: The Ongoing Struggle

Posted on September 1, 2014 by nonmajorsbiology

About two years ago, I wrote a blog post about my continuing efforts to teach experimental design in my nonmajors biology class. That post (Little Changes, Big Difference) detailed my use of the “Marshmallow Test” film clip to generate questions … Continue reading →

Posted in Active learning, Assignments, Collaboration, Engaging students, Experimental design, Teaching | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment