| Students often fail to learn Science with understanding. Either they misunderstand their teacher and text book, or they just memorize enough facts and definitions to get by (Berkheimer, 1990). Changing the method of instruction in an Advanced Biology class should produce improved understanding. The general topic is ecology as studied through the described activities relating to the water quality of Huntoon Creek. By using concept mapping, pre and post testing, multiple activities (creative ecological collage, computer simulations, classroom aquatic ecosystems, lab practice techniques, on-site water quality stream analysis and a culminating booklet of the study by the student, clinical interviews and revised lesson plans), there was a measurable increase in knowledge and understanding of ecology and water quality. This is shown with test data from the previous four years, pre and post testing and clinical interview results. Experiencing the real world and its problems through field trips (hydroelectric power plant, fish weir and waste water treatment plant) helped connect book knowledge to personal experience. |
