Using Blogs in Science Education

I promised last year to continue listing case studies I’ve successfully used in my 9th grade biology or AP biology classes.  Listed below are a few more.  For my previous list go here.  The comments to that original post also contain some additional cases.

All of these case studies can be found in a list with teacher guides here.

• Rising Temperatures, Different Viewpoints -  short and very sweet.  Teaches students the importance of critically evaluating the news and more importantly, how to do it.
• It’s Like Pulling Teeth – good for teaching the neuromuscular system
• A Can of Bull? – learn nutrition while evaluating energy drinks
• My Brother’s Keeper – animal behavior and evolution (kin selection)
• The Wolf, the Moose, and the Fir Tree – ecology (trophic levels)
• Little Mito – silly, but fun short story about endosymbiotic theory
• Rabbit Calicivirus Disease – invasive species, viruses, evolutionary arms race

There are so many fantastic-sounding cases now that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.  Hopefully, my shorter list is helpful.  I’ll add more as I try them!