EvolvingSTEM: a microbial evolution-in-action curriculum that enhances learning of evolutionary biology and biotechnology

Abstract

Evolution is a central, unifying theory for all of life science, yet the subject is poorly represented in most secondaryschool biology courses, especially in the United States. One challenge to learning evolution is that it is taught as a conceptual, retrospective subject with few tangible outcomes for students. These typical passive learning strategies lead to student disengagement with the material and misunderstanding of evolutionary concepts. To promote greater investment and comprehension, we developed EvolvingSTEM, an inquiry-based laboratory curriculum that demonstrates concepts of natural selection, heredity, and ecological diversity through experimental evolution of a benign bacterium. Students transfer populations of Pseudomonas fluorescens growing on plastic beads, which selects for biofilm formation and mutants with new, conspicuous phenotypes. We introduced our curriculum to four introductory high school biology classes alongside their standard curriculum materials and found that students who learned evolution through EvolvingSTEM scored significantly better on a common assessment targeted to Next Generation Science Standards than students taught only the standard curriculum. This latter group subsequently achieved similar scores once they too completed our curriculum. Our work demonstrates that inquiry-based, handson experiences with evolving bacterial populations can greatly enhance student learning of evolutionary concepts.

Adaptation and phenotypic diversification of Bacillus thuringiensis biofilm are accompanied by fuzzy spreader morphotypes

“…Since the first report introducing the bead-based experiment evolution setup 25 , which primarily focused on the ecological mechanisms that sustained biofilm diversity, numerous follow-up studies have validated the robustness of this model by describing the mutational patterns 59 , genetic properties 53 , 60 – 63 , niche complementarity 64 , 65 , and antibiotic resistance 66 , 67 . Unlike other laboratory-based experimental evolution systems, this simple method is useful for modeling the complex biofilm cycle, including initial attachment, biofilm maturation, dispersal, and recolonization 68 , 69 .…”

An Epidemic Analogy Highlights the Importance of Targeted Community Engagement in Spaces Susceptible to Misinformation

“…Thankfully, the STEM education paradigm has begun to develop original and provocative education curricula that tackle complex topics such as molecular evolution, using laboratory-based methods. These courses have had a demonstrated positive effect on how students perform on assessments targeted to Next Generation Science Standards (Cooper et al, 2019).…”

Science Education for the Youth (SEFTY): A Neuroscience Outreach Program for High School Students in Southern Nevada During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Using experiential learning to examine natural selection promoted a greater understanding of these concepts than students who learned through a standard curriculum using books and lectures. 27 The NIDDK High School Short-Term Research Experience for Underrepresented Persons is another example of a program where students were involved in research projects to learn more about diverse STEM topics. 28 Additionally, the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program, supported by the NIH, allows educational organizations to apply for project funding that involves K-12 students in STEM fields.…”