Strategic literature searches have the potential to connect disciplines.

This study used a literature review and interviews with practicing biologists to develop the MACH model, a Venn diagram of the components research scientists include when explaining molecular and cellular mechanisms. Seven biologists from different subdisciplines included research Methods, Analogy, Context, and How the mechanism works to explain the systems they investigate.

In this study we used surveys of evo-devo experts to identify the core concepts of evo-devo and outline an underlying conceptual framework. We also use interviews and surveys of conceptual difficulties with these concepts.

This multiple case study explores a teaching intervention in an introductory undergraduate biology classroom that aimed to guide students to explain biological mechanisms using the MACH model, a previously developed model of the components used by interviewed biologists to explain mechanisms.

Although the use of clickers and peer discussion is becoming common in large-lecture undergraduate biology courses, their use is limited in small-enrollment seminar-style courses. To investigate whether facilitating peer discussion with clickers would add value to a small-enrollment seminar-style course, we evaluated their usefulness in an 11-student Embryology course at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Student performance data, observations of peer discussion, and interviews with students revealed that adding clickers to a small-enrollment course 1) increases the chance students will do the required reading before class, 2) helps the instructor engage all students in the class, and 3) gives students a focused opportunity to share thinking and to learn from their peers.