Grant E. Gardner

Nanotechnology and Nanoscale Science: Educational challenges

Nanotechnology has been touted as the next ‘industrial revolution’ of our modern age. In order for successful research, development, and social discourses to take place in this field, education research is needed to inform the development of standards, course development, and workforce preparation. In addition, there is a growing need to educate citizens and students about risks, benefits, and social and ethical issues related to nanotechnology. This position paper describes the advancements that have been made in nanoscale science and nanotechnology, and the challenges that exist to educate students and the public about critical nanoscience concepts. This paper reviews the current research on nanotechnology education including curricula, educational programs, informal education, and teacher education. Furthermore, the unique risks, benefits and ethics of these unusual technological applications are described in relation to nanoeducation goals. Finally, we outline needed future research in the areas of nanoscience content, standards and curricula, nanoscience pedagogy, teacher education, and the risks, benefits, and social and ethical dimensions for education in this emerging field.

Students’ Risk Perceptions of Nanotechnology Applications: Implications for science education

Scientific literacy as a goal of a science education reform remains an important discourse in the research literature and is a key component of students’ understanding and acceptance of emergent technologies like nanotechnology. This manuscript focuses on undergraduate engineering students’ perceptions of the risks and benefits posed by nanotechnology as an important component of scientific literacy. Specifically, this study examined the perceived risk of nanotechnology of a group of American students (N = 102) in three material science engineering courses focusing on nanotechnology. Students completed a survey of risk perception and a sub‐sample were interviewed (n = 21). It was found that perceptions of risks and benefits of nanotechnology tended to be closely tied to specific groups of applications including common consumer products, health‐related products, and advanced technological applications. The intersection of scientific application and perception is discussed in the context of science education curriculum considerations.

A Conceptual Framework for Graduate Teaching Assistant Professional Development Evaluation and Research

This essay proposes a conceptual framework for biology graduate teaching assistant professional development evaluation and research with three overarching variables for consideration: outcome variables, contextual variables, and moderating variables.

Teachers’ Concepts of Spatial Scale: An international comparison

Metric scale is an important concept taught as part of science curricula across different countries. This study explored metric and relative (body-length) scale concepts of inservice (N = 92) and preservice (N = 134) teachers from Austria, and Taiwan, and their concepts were compared with those of teachers from the USA. Participants completed three assessments: the Scale Anchoring Objects (SAO), Scale of Objects Questionnaire (SOQ), and a subsample of participants were interviewed with the Learning Scale Interview. A Rasch analysis was conducted with the SAO and SOQ and results showed that the Rasch model held for these assessments, indicating that there is an underlying common dimension to understanding scale. Further analyses showed that accuracy of knowledge of scale measured by the SAO and SOQ was not related to professional experience. There were significant differences in teachers’ accuracy of scale concepts by nationality. This was true for both metric and body-length SAO assessments. Post hoc comparisons showed that the Austrian and Taiwanese participants were significantly more accurate than the US sample on the SAO and SOQ. The Austrian participants scored significantly higher than the US and the Taiwanese participants. The results of the interviews showed that the Taiwanese experienced teacher participants were more likely to report learning size and scale through in-school experiences than the Austrian or the US participants. US teachers reported learning size and scale most often through participating in hobbies and sports, Taiwanese teachers reported learning scale through sports and reading, and Austrian teachers most often noted that they learned about scale through travel.

Precollege nanotechnology education: a different kind of thinking

Abstract The introduction of nanotechnology education into K-12 education has happened so quickly that there has been little time to evaluate the approaches and knowledge goals that are most effective to teach precollege students. This review of nanotechnology education examines the instructional approaches and types of knowledge that frame nanotechnology precollege education. Methods used to teach different forms of knowledge are examined in light of the goal of creating effective and meaningful instruction. The developmental components needed to understand concepts such as surface area to volume relationships as well as the counterintuitive behavior of nanoscale materials are described. Instructional methods used in precollege nanotechnology education and the levels at which different nanoscale topics are introduced is presented and critiqued. Suggestions are made for the development of new nanotechnology educational programs that are developmental, sequenced, and meaningful.

The Impact of Microbiology Instruction on Students’ Perceptions of Risks Related to Microbial Illness

This study examined students’ perceptions of the risks associated with microbial transmission before and after taking a microbiology class. Participants included undergraduate students (n = 132) enrolled in a microbiology course at two universities and one community college. Students completed a survey at the beginning and end of the course and a sub-sample of students also participated in pre- and post-course interviews. The survey results showed that there were changes in students’ knowledge of microbes and microbial transmission as well as changes in reported behaviors related to microbial transmission. The behavior changes primarily involved perceptions of microbial transmission via touch such as using a public telephone, touching a faucet in a public bathroom, handling money, borrowing soap from a friend while camping, working in the dirt without gloves, and taking out the trash. There were no differences in behaviors related to oral transmission (eating, drinking, and kissing) or for preventative behavior (use of sanitizing items or frequency of hand washing). Exploratory factor analysis showed a subtle shift in the conceptualization of transmission risks from pre- to post-course. Pre- and post-interviews revealed that although students gained a more sophisticated concept of the positive role of microbes in the ecosystem, they were not more likely to report changing their behaviors related to vaccines to avoid getting sick from pathogenic microbes.

Perceptions and Practices: Biology graduate teaching assistants’ framing of a controversial socioscientific issue

Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) are gaining increasing responsibility for the instruction of undergraduate science students, yet little is known about their beliefs about science pedagogy or subsequent classroom practices. This study looked at six GTAs who were primary instructors in an introductory biology laboratory course. Teaching assistants taught a lesson about the potential social, health, and environmental impacts of genetically modified crops. Through classroom observations and in‐depth interviews, the researchers examined how instructors chose to frame their lessons and what GTAs perceived as important for students to know about this particular socioscientific issue (SSI). Results showed a disconnect between the relatively mature conceptualizations of effective SSI instruction that emerged during interviews and classroom practice.

Development of a Lac Operon Concept Inventory (LOCI)

Gene regulation is an important topic in modern genetics, but learning concepts related to this concept can be difficult. To assess learning of gene regulation, a 12-item Lac Operon Concept Inventory (LOCI) was developed. The data gathered were found to be both valid and reliable. In addition, some student misconceptions were identified.

Teaching Evolution through the Hardy-Weinberg Principle: A Real-Time, Active-Learning Exercise using Classroom Response Devices

ABSTRACT Teaching population genetics provides a bridge between genetics and evolution by using examples of the mechanisms that underlie changes in allele frequencies over time. Existing methods of teaching these concepts often rely on computer simulations or hand calculations, which distract students from the material and are problematic for those with high math anxiety. We outline an exercise that engages students and provides real-time feedback through the use of classroom response devices. This exercise has been used with success and employs a conceptual-change approach to teach the fundamental, yet often misunderstood, concept of biological evolution.

Exploring Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Biology Graduate Teaching Assistants Through Their Participation in Lesson Study

ABSTRACT Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) are responsible for teaching the majority of biology undergraduate laboratory sections, although many feel underprepared to do so. This study explored the impact of biology GTA participation in a professional development model known as lesson study. Using a case study methodology with multiple qualitative data sources, this study found that lesson study was beneficial for this group of GTAs in that it modified critical aspects of their beliefs about biology instruction. Each participant felt that lesson study helped revise their teaching and changes were seen in some aspects of the participants’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK). Despite this, there was an observed disconnect between participants’ vocalized intent and classroom practice. This disconnect could be attributed to the difficulty of implementing new strategies, the short duration of the lesson study, and the instructional inexperience of the participants in the study.