The Synapse

About this site

A SYNAPSE is a minute gap between nerve cells which transmits crucial information through the nervous system. The goal of this network is to perform a similar "synaptic" function between biology instructors of all levels and locations.

Step one in participation within The Synapse: read & explore. Step two: share. Feed the system. Be a resource. Help to create a synapse that communicates in both directions!

Latest Activity

Jessica Booth, Dr Rajendra R. Prabhu and Dorothy Forsberg joined The Synapse Jan 25

General Biology

This group is for those who teach introductory biology courses typically taken by high school students their freshman or sophomore year.

Kelly Quinlan joined Stacy Baker's group Jan 22

0 Comments

Gwen Noda replied to Diane Russo's discussion 'Textbooks?' in the group Marine Biology

Hi Diane, I used to work for COSEE-West helping science teachers incorporate marine science into their courses. At some point the high school teachers here in southern California decided they wanted to teach an entire biology course with a…

Dec 24, 2011

Monica Tan and harry brielmann joined The Synapse Dec 21, 2011

Textbooks?

So I got a new textbook this year for my Marine Bio class (Life on an Ocean Planet) - went with a high school level as the previous college level seemed too much for my regular level kids.Decided after this first semester that I don't like it - too much marine science/oceanography and not enough biology! I have a sample copy of Intro. to Biology of Marine Life by Morrissey & Sumich. Upon first look I really like this book.When I asked my admin. about changing the book again for the 2nd…See More

Diane Russo added a discussion to the group Marine Biology Dec 15, 2011

1 Comment

Ian Anderson updated their profile Dec 2, 2011

Oledeysis Chavez is now a member of The Synapse Nov 30, 2011

Welcome Them!

Cathy Aumend, Donald Johnson, Natalie Ann Mollett and 1 more joined The Synapse Nov 22, 2011

Meme OMalley and Barry Harris joined The Synapse Nov 14, 2011

A scavenger hunt quiz?

Today my students used the ActivExpression's self-paced option differently than I have done before. Students previously how to measure the mass and volume of different objects. They also had learned to calculate the density using mass and volume. I set up a “Performance Assessment” that involved the ActivExpressions. The classroom had 21 “Stations” labeled A-U. Each station had the materials needed for the assessment question assigned to it. Questions were assigned to be sent randomly to…See More

Blog post by Glen Westbroek Oct 27, 2011

0 Comments

Daniel Newkirk is now a member of The Synapse Oct 18, 2011

Welcome Them!

Steffany Ellis left a comment for Sean Nash

Thank you very much. Excited to be here!

Oct 17, 2011

Sean Nash left a comment for Steffany Ellis

From another teacher of Marine Sciences... welcome. ;)

Oct 17, 2011

Steffany Ellis, Marelis Rivera and Antoinette joined The Synapse Oct 17, 2011

Nicole Nearor-Nissen updated their profile Sep 30, 2011

1 more…

Photos posted by Mike Mantala Sep 29, 2011

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Groups

General Biology

117 members
Marine Biology

31 members
AP Biology

88 members
Molecular Visions

27 members
High school Anatomy and …

24 members

Chemistry Land

23 members
IB Biology

16 members
Environmental Science

33 members
Zoology

19 members
Fervent Evolution Discus…

41 members

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Forum

Student-centered plan for teaching 4 Replies

By request :) (and thanks - I wouldn't have thought to do this....), sharing a plan for my AP evolution unit this is limited on lecture, and uses a lot of different activities/labs/whiteboards to get…Continue

Tags: Whiteboards, Evolution, instruction, Student-centered, Biology

Started by Jen in Lesson Plans. Last reply by Jen Aug 26, 2011.

Does the spinal cord is an organ or tissue?

Pleaseeeeee!

Started by Ma. Gina Baldi Odella in Current Issues in Biology Aug 18, 2011.

Science Fair 7 Replies

The science fair is one of the best teaching strategies I have encountered after almost 20 years of schooling and 7 years of teaching.It teachers the scientific method and project managementIt allows…Continue

Tags: projects, PBL, fair, science

Started by Colin Matheson in Lesson Plans. Last reply by Virginia Jan 30, 2011.

Is it reasonable to label viruses, prions, and the like as "bordercases of life?" 5 Replies

Some references (textbooks, journals, and modules) refer to viruses and prions as "bordercases of life." Is the label justified or reasonable?

Tags: prions, viruses

Started by Mike Mantala in Information Requests. Last reply by Mike Mantala Jan 25, 2011.

How Well Does High School Biology Prepare Students for College? 3 Replies

Hi Everyone, I'm on the final stage of data collection for my Master's project. My study focuses on the transition between high school and college biology courses, in terms of content knowledge…Continue

Tags: research, biology, general, survey

Started by Marta Toran in Information Requests. Last reply by Marta Toran Jan 22, 2011.

Interested in a book club? 14 Replies

Is anyone interested in a book club? If so, I'll start a group. But we should pick a book first (if anyone is even interested). My dad just sent me Evolution: The First Four Billion Years. It would…Continue

Tags: club, book

Started by David Knuffke in Collaborative Mini-Projects. Last reply by Ian Carmichael Jan 7, 2011.

Teaching with Socioscientific Issues & the Environmentalist's Paradox 1 Reply

Hi everyone,I just posted this message in the Environmental Science group, but then found this Forum and thought it might be relevant here too. Please do let me know which is the more appropriate…Continue

Tags: paradox, environmentalist's, issues, module

Started by Susan Musante in Lesson Plans. Last reply by Colin Matheson Oct 11, 2010.

Teaching Science Methods 6 Replies

Hi. I come to science teaching from a research background, not an education background, so one thing I struggle with is how to teach the practice of science that to me is second nature. Does anyone…Continue

Tags: skills, methods, pedagogy

Started by Tamar Cunha in Information Requests. Last reply by Gwen Noda Jun 7, 2010.

Using Drosophila in the Biology Classroom

Hi everyone! Would you do me a big favor and fill out this really quick survey? After completing the survey can you give me some tips on how to…Continue

Started by Stacy Baker in Current Issues in Biology May 20, 2010.

Developing Remedial Material in Science

Hello! I am looking for resources/links on developing remedial material in Science.Any help would be welcome. Thanks.Continue

Started by Aparna Shastry in Ask A Veteran Apr 9, 2010.

Admin by committee

The Synapse is a collaborative effort originating from a discussion in the Twittersphere between biology instructors of many levels. On that day, it was decided that we needed a central place to meet, share and support one another from afar. Collaborating to facilitate and support this site are:
Debra Garcia
Colin Matheson
Stacy Baker
Elissa Hoffman
Glen Westbroek
Michael Doyle
Erin Nash
Sean Nash
If you have questions or concerns about something on the site, feel free to contact any of us directly via the link provided.

Blog Posts

A scavenger hunt quiz?

I set up a “Performance Assessment” that involved the ActivExpressions. The classroom had 21 “Stations” labeled A-U. Each station had the materials needed for the assessment question assigned to it. Questions were assigned to be…

Continue

Posted by Glen Westbroek on October 27, 2011 at 4:58pm

Softening the Walls of a Science Classroom

If you have never watched Creature Cast, you should. Creature Cast is fun, and fun is good.

Seriously, if you haven’t noticed it, and you teach in the field of Biological sciences, you should notice it, if not for the content,…

Continue

Posted by Erin Nash on March 20, 2011 at 10:11am

Are You Smarter than a 7th Grader?

Several teachers expressed interest in a common assessment form we use at my school. My school has grades 7-9 and several students often struggle with Science Processes and Skills. My science teaching team decided to come up with a fun way to review these processes and skills. This is done in a bi-weekly quiz we call "Are You Smarter than a 7th Grader?"

I've attached two different…

Continue

Posted by Glen Westbroek on November 30, 2010 at 9:00pm

Online Learning Networks in Science - An Interview

In keeping with the concept of using my blog as not only a synthesis of what I think, but also of what I do, I add this post. Last week I recorded a telephone interview with the folks at natureEDUCATION on the topic of online learning… Continue

Posted by Sean Nash on October 15, 2010 at 4:21pm

The Synapse Builds Partnership

A couple of years ago a few of my digital friends and I brought this space to life: The Synapse. A week later I wrote about it here. The site derives its origin directly from a frustrating discussion in the Twittersphere between biology instructors of many… Continue

Posted by Sean Nash on October 2, 2010 at 10:30pm

Building Research Skills

Another integral part of the scientific process is research. Since 90%

of what student will read as adults will be for information, learning to

locate and analyze information is a skill that will benefit them

throughout their life. Researching promotes critical thinking

processes, enabling students to make informed decisions and solve

problems. The University of Pennsylvania says teaching research skills

can help students gain “confidence and facility in using… Continue

Posted by The Scientific Homeschool on September 18, 2010 at 11:46am

The Ancient Practice of Observation

A Fundamental Science Skill

Observation has been the touchstone of objectivity in science for thousands of years. It has been used by humanity throughout history to record a hunt or battle, track the passage of time and seasons, detail

the success of an exploration or follow the progress of illness in a

village.

Aristotle said of observation: “We value our sight above almost everything else. The reason for this is that of all the senses sight makes…

Continue

Posted by The Scientific Homeschool on September 9, 2010 at 8:33am — 1 Comment

Observations and Inferences

I recently read the…

Continue

Posted by Glen Westbroek on August 14, 2010 at 11:09pm

What drives change?

This past week, I had the opportunity to participate in the pilot STEM training developed by Intel Teach and Vernier Software. I am impressed with how closely aligned the training was with the proposed National Science Standards Framework.

During the week, participating teachers used Vernier probes to model STEM activities their students might do.…

Continue

Posted by Glen Westbroek on August 6, 2010 at 10:33pm