Reproduction and genetics are notoriously difficult subjects to communicate to students in meaningful ways. The processes at play are happening at such tiny spatial scales, or over such large time scales, that they can be very difficult for students to observe. The concepts can be so abstract that, despite the inherent interest that students have in reproduction and genetics, they struggle to grasp the big picture. These struggles have been exacerbated by the pandemic, as many students no longer see education as a hands-on experience at all.
Brining live organisms into my classroom will help students connect science concepts about genetics to physical observations that they make in the classroom. Biology is the study of living things, so we must have living things available to study biological concepts. The fish tanks that I am asking for are a prerequisite to bringing zebrafish, one of the most common model organisms used in genetics research, into my classroom. By bringing physical specimens into their education, I hope to rekindle some of the passion for education that was lost to the pandemic.
About my class
Reproduction and genetics are notoriously difficult subjects to communicate to students in meaningful ways. The processes at play are happening at such tiny spatial scales, or over such large time scales, that they can be very difficult for students to observe. The concepts can be so abstract that, despite the inherent interest that students have in reproduction and genetics, they struggle to grasp the big picture. These struggles have been exacerbated by the pandemic, as many students no longer see education as a hands-on experience at all.
Brining live organisms into my classroom will help students connect science concepts about genetics to physical observations that they make in the classroom. Biology is the study of living things, so we must have living things available to study biological concepts. The fish tanks that I am asking for are a prerequisite to bringing zebrafish, one of the most common model organisms used in genetics research, into my classroom. By bringing physical specimens into their education, I hope to rekindle some of the passion for education that was lost to the pandemic.