Transforming high school science education through unique partnerships, inquiry based modules and

ocean systems studiesPrincipal Investigators: Monica V. Orellana1, Nitin S. Baliga1, Manager and Investigator: Claudia Ludwig1

Active Contributors: J. Ashworth1, A. Lee1, M. Herbert2, E. Muhs2, A. Boleda3, H. Kuestner3, A. Valauri-Orton3, W. Palmer2, S. Reeve2, L. George2, E. Wright4, R. Yan5, D. Kovaric6, J. Chowning6, Tami Caraballo2 1 Institute for Systems Biology, 2 Teacher or Curriculum Lead, 3 Undergraduate Intern, 4 University of WA, 5 DigiPen Institute of Technology, 6 Northwest Association for Biomedical Research

AGU 2012 Fall Meeting. See www.systemsbiology.org and http://baliga.systemsbiology.net for more information. Project supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the NIH/NIGMS Center for Systems Biology.

A. Ecological Networks – An Introduction to Networks B. Environmental Influence on Gene Networks

Cell

densi

ty

Salinity (M)

C. Observing Beyond Our Senses: Inquiry Drives TechnologyDesign: An Iterative ProcessDefine the Problem Or Need

Identify Criteria & Restraints

Devise A Plan

Research

Brainstorm Solutions

Weigh Tradeoffs

Carry Out Best Approach

Evaluate & Refine

Test & Interpret Data

Recommend Improvements

Communicate Results

Three kits developed so far…

Finding Creative Solutions for Developing and Implementing New CurriculumProgram Architecture: an Integrative Approach to Knowledge Transfer

4

Curriculum DevelopmentKit Development

2

Classroom Pilots

1

Professional Development Institutes

3HS teachers develop concept networks, lesson plans,

teaching materials and align curriculum to standards

1. Complex systems can be visualized as a graph

a. Nodes depict parts of a system

b. Edges denote interactions among system parts

c. A complex system is more than the sum of its

parts

d. Network architecture explains system properties

such as robustness

There is an urgent need for current, hands-on, interdisciplinary curriculum addressing the changing carbon cycle and its impact on oceans. Monica Orellana’s systems biology research on diatoms and ocean acidification is a terrific venue for students to learn about this interdisciplinary and complex situation. However, the current model for curriculum development was not possible with a tightened budget. Thus we found ways to leverage other grants and programs. The University of WA, WA STEM Center, Sammamish High School and several partner organizations received several awards to implement Project Based Learning in Bellevue, WA. Using this opportunity, we brought our education program, including draft ocean acidification materials and a conceptual framework, to 240 9 th grade Biochemistry students. Over 2 years, for 5 weeks each year, students were tasked with building curricular and kit materials needed to allow other students throughout the country to complete this module. Their teachers oversaw their individual and group projects, CL designed and managed the overall goals and outcomes, MVO, JA, AL managed the science and techniques, and EW provided assistance with correctly implementing Project Based Learning. Teaching and student draft materials shown.

Goal: Students build a curriculum kit to demonstrate how rising CO2 levels directly alter ocean chemistry and may have reverberating biological and societal impacts.

Student Teams: Lesson Plan Design, Experiment Groups (Chromatography, Diatom Growth, CO2 Chamber), Data Analysis and Integration, Marketing, Videography, Materials Prep, Web Design

Creative Solutions for Implementation

Sustained implementation of curriculum beyond a grant cycle is a large hurdle to overcome. Finding avenues for using state funding and leveraging other public and private grants has offered great success to bring non-episodic training, support, and opportunities for teachers and students. Our 2011-2013 partnership with DigiPen Institute of Technology, WA Network for Innovative Careers, and Northwest Association for Biomedical Research has allowed us to collaboratively train teachers and provide for-credit courses for WA State high school students.