Allison D'Costa

Bridging the Undergraduate Curriculum Using an Integrated Course-Embedded Undergraduate Research Experience (ICURE)

The results of a novel approach to integrating undergraduate biology curricula through the study of biodiversity, the use of and DNA bar coding, and the creation of a biodiversity database are presented with analysis of content and attitudinal gains.

Guided-Inquiry Labs using Bean Beetles for Teaching the Scientific Method & Experimental Design

ABSTRACT Guided-inquiry lab activities with bean beetles (Callosobruchus maculatus) teach students how to develop hypotheses, design experiments, identify experimental variables, collect and interpret data, and formulate conclusions. These activities provide students with real hands-on experiences and skills that reinforce their understanding of the scientific method and experimental design. This teaching method can easily be adapted to other test organisms or alternative themes.