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
Marissa Simms joined Elissa Hoffman's group
AP Biology
Brad Zech joined Stacy Baker's group
General Biology
Amber Slatosky added a discussion to the group General BiologyDigital Teaching Tools: Question
Amber Slatosky joined Stacy Baker's groupGeneral Biology
Birthdays
Groups
-
AP Biology
90 members
-
General Biology
119 members
-
Fervent Evolution Discus…
42 members
-
Marine Biology
31 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
-
Investigating students' …
4 members
-
Younger Students
1 member
-
MISSOURI BIOLOGY EDUCATO…
5 members
-
Good Practice
38 members
-
Central Dogma
4 members
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 25, 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?
Started by Mike Mantala in Information Requests. Last reply by Mike Mantala Jan 24, 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
Started by David Knuffke in Collaborative Mini-Projects. Last reply by Ian Carmichael Jan 6, 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 8, 2010.
Admin by committee
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?
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…
ContinuePosted 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,…
ContinuePosted by Erin Nash on March 20, 2011 at 10:11am
Are You Smarter than a 7th Grader?
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
Posted by Sean Nash on October 2, 2010 at 10:30pm
Building Research Skills
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…
ContinuePosted by The Scientific Homeschool on September 9, 2010 at 8:33am — 1 Comment
Observations and Inferences
I recently read the…
ContinuePosted 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.…
ContinuePosted by Glen Westbroek on August 6, 2010 at 10:33pm
Events
Our visitors
Photos
Videos
-
Chemistry Dance Party
Added by Chris Ludwig
-
Brain Attack
Added by Chris Ludwig
-
Sheep's Heart Dissection
Added by Britt Gow
Recent Visitors
Badge
© 2012 Created by Sean Nash.
