1. Structure and Function in Biology Kristen J. Champion Vanderbilt University Dept. of Biomedical Engineering

2. Project Definition Problem: Students often find concepts in biology abstract and difficult to understand Goal: The aim of this project is to aid middle school to high school level students in their understanding of these concepts by developing teaching aids, analogies, hands- on-models, etc. that relate structure to function in a simplified, interesting manner

3. Project Structure Three topics (modules) were chosen for project concentration: –(I) Structure and function within macromolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins) –(II) Structure and function within the cell (cellular organelles) –(III) Structure and function within organ systems (the digestive system)

4. Overall Status Approximately 40% completed; background research near completion Timeline of the project:

5. Project Background Advisor: Vicki H. Metzgar - Coordinator NSF GKI2 Teaching Fellows Of the nearly 25 million middle and high school level students, approximately 7% (1.75 million) have learning disabilities in math and/or science unrelated to I.Q.

6. Current Status Website updated Research on modules II and III completed Teaching aids/lesson plans currently being developed for modules II and III

7. Future Plans Complete research on all modules Complete design of teaching aids/lesson plans for all modules Design Safe and IWB analysis Determine validation procedures

8. References Werth, Alexander. Simple Lesson Plans in Biomechanics and Biological Materials Using Everyday Objects. The American Biology Teacher, Volume 63, 2001. Sherwood, Lauralee. Human Physiology, From Cells to Systems, Fourth Edition, 2001.