About
This web page is designed to inspire high school students and their teachers by connecting the biological concepts that learn in the classroom with scientific research. While we recommend that Alabama teachers use this material as extension for the Alabama Science in Motion enzyme and homeostasis labs. We have included reference to how each lab and activity applies to the National Scientific and Engineering Practices and the grades 9-12 Alabama Course of Study Standards for biology.
The material included herein falls under the topic bioenergetics, or processes that describe energy flow through biological systems. The labs describe how we determine the energy content of an item, the role of enzymes in cellular performance, and cellular respiration. We have also posted background material and learning comprehension questions to test reading literacy and PowerPoints to help you introduce material in the classroom. Finally, the student section of this webpage is designed to help students and teachers to see the connections between each of these labs and scientific research being conducted at a university.
All material can be downloaded as a pdf file. To facilitate editing, labs are also available as word files. We encourage teachers to modify the labs for use in their classrooms.
The development of this material and web page was funded by a National Science Grant to W. Hood: NSF-CAREER 1453784.
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION TEAM
Dr Wendy Hood
Associate Professor, Auburn University, AL
Rebecca Balkcom
Biology Teacher,
Auburn City Schools, AL
Dr. Wendy Hood is a biology professor at Auburn University. She teaches Comparative Anatomy for undergraduates and classes on Animal Energetics and Reproduction for graduate students. Research in her lab focuses on understanding the role of mitochondria in the reproductive performance and longevity of animals.
You can learn more about her lab at thehoodlaboratory.com
Rebecca Balkcom teaches Advanced Biology and Biology at Auburn Jr. High School in Auburn, AL. She believes that learning should include three components; 1) Rigorous lessons which allows students to go deeper into the content 2) Relevant content that answers the question why, while showing how it relates to life and 3) Relationships with peers, teachers and parents must be encouraged and developed so that students feel comfortable in presenting and sharing their scientific knowledge to a broader audience.
CONTACT US
Amy Haley
Biology Teacher,
Madison City Schools, AL
Amy Haley teaches pre-AP and AP Biology at James Clemens High School in Madison, Alabama. She is passionate about science education in the public school setting and believes that students learn best when they can see, hold, and smell science
Chloe Josefson
Graduate Student
Auburn University, AL
Chloe Josefson is a Doctoral Candidate in Biology at Auburn University in Dr. Hood's lab, and is coordinating the educational program the in 2018-2019 academic year.