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ABLE Regional Conference Report
Ruth E.
Beattie
Regional ABLE Conference Host
T. H. Morgan School of Biological Sciences
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0225
Second Annual ABLE Regional Conference
University of Kentucky
October 1 - 3, 1999
The Second Annual Regional Conference of the Association for Biological Laboratory Education (ABLE) was held in the T. H. Morgan School of Biological Sciences at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, October 1 - 3, 1999.
At this regional conference, each participant was able to attend four ABLE hands-on laboratory exercises, two/three mini-workshops, and was invited to share with others any of their own teaching materials, methods and philosophies that promote active learning.
The target audience for the conference was instructors of introductory level (freshman and sophomore) courses at universities and community colleges, and high school level/advanced placement (AP) biology high school teachers. Thirty-eight individuals participated in the conference, including nine community college faculty and six graduate students. Eighteen institutions from seven states were represented.
PRESENTERS AND TOPICS
MAJOR WORKSHOPS
A Practical Plan for Implementing
Investigative Laboratories
Jean Dickey and Robert Kosinski, Clemson University.
We will present our general biology laboratory program in which students learn the process of scientific inquiry by planning and performing their own experiments. Hands-on experience is gained by turning familiar wetlab techniques, such as enzyme assays and yeast fermentation, into investigations rather than cookbook labs. Students also use a computer simulation, Fish Farm, to explore a complex, real-world problem.
Pungency Testing in Onions
Catherine Teare Ketter, University of Georgia.
The purpose of this investigation is the provide students with experience assaying levels of pyruvate in common onion varieties and onion allies. Additionally, students are asked to modify the protocol to investigate one of several hypotheses relating to pyruvate concentration to (1) Allium variety, (2) growth medium sulfur concentration, (3) plant tissue type, or (4) cultivation temperature. An explanation of onion flavor chemistry is included. The laboratory protocol employed is the industrial standard used by commercial onion growers to determine the grade of onion "sweetness". Pyruvate concentration is estimated from a standard curve generated using known pyruvate standards. A hand-held refractometer will provide an estimate of the soluble sugars present in the onion tissue.
Measuring Genetic Variability in Natural Populations by Allozyme
Electrophoresis.
James Bader, Case Western University.
In this laboratory we will be using cellulose acetate electrophoresis to rapidly separate allozymes from tissue or whole organism homogenates. We will attempt to detect genetic differences between three natural populations of the same species at ten different enzyme loci. We will enter this data into spreadsheets to calculate measures of genetic identity and genetic distance and attempt to establish the amount of gene flow and the relatedness of these populations.
Bacterial Gene Transfer
John Mordacq, Northwestern University
This laboratory investigates one form of genetic recombination in bacteria. This process, called conjugation, occurs when one bacterium transfers DNA to another bacterium. Two different strains of Escherichia coli are used: Hfr strain with the F factor integrated into the bacterial chromosome acting as the donor, and an F-strain lacking the fertility factor acting as a recipient. The F-strain is auxotrophic for certain genetic markers and the ordered transfer of markers from the Hfr strain to the F-strain is used to map gene locations on the bacterial chromosome.
MINI WORKSHOPS
The Grants Writing Game
William S. Cohen, University of Kentucky.
Using the Web to Enhance Biology Instruction
William F. Burke, University of Kentucky.
Using Simulation Software to Create
Laboratory Experiences
Ruth E. Beattie, University of Kentucky.
Termite Behavior and the Scientific
Method
Ruthanne Pitkin, Shippensburg University.
Creating Laboratory Access for Science
Students: "Class" at Wright State University
M. G. Wheatly, P. Renick, J. Vernooy, M. Wendein, T. Wood, Wright
State University.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Painterly pathologies, plagues, plagues
and partners: "Viruses are not altogether nasty".
Judith A. Lesnaw, University of Kentucky.
