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BIO 501 Science by Inquiry: Plants

Course Description:
Through hands-on investigation and discussion, teachers will increase their knowledge and ability to apply inquiry-based methods of teaching botany and ecology with focus on grades 3-8.  Topics covered at the organismal level will include plant anatomy, structure and function, seed germination and plant growth, transpiration and water movement, photosynthesis, and respiration.  Topics covered at the ecological level will include human uses of plants, food chains, niches, symbiotic relationships, species diversity, tree identification, and environmental impacts on terrestrial ecosystems.

Faculty Instructor
Dr. Heather Griscom                                 Debby Foran 
Assistant Professor                                    Life Science Teacher           
Burruss Hall                                              Forest Middle School
Department of Biology                             dforan@bedford.k12.va.us
James Madison University                                                              
griscohp@jmu.edu                           

Class Hours:
Monday, June 29  through Wednesday, July 1
Daily 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, with a one hour lunch break

Class Rooms and Labs:
Class will meet in the Guion Science Center Room 018.

Course Materials:
All course materials will be provided.  Some items will be given to teachers to take to their classrooms after this course is completed.

Course Requirements:
To receive credit for the course, the following must be completed.  Failure to complete all the tasks will result in being withdrawn from the course:
            - Completion of the on-line, pre-course survey
            - Attendance at all class meeting hours
            - Completion of the on-line end of course survey

A pass/credit/no credit option may be available rather than a traditional A-F letter grade.  You would have to discuss with your instructor. 

Schedule:

Assignments and Grade Weighting:

Required Pre-Course On-Line Pre-Test: 10 %
(If completed, full credit; if not completed, automatic failure)

Participation: 15 %
Active, engaged participation in all class activities, discussions, and labs is expected of all teacher-participants;

Homework: 40 %
Assignment 1 due on day 2 and Assignment 2 due on day 3

In-class assignments: 15%
Items completed in class 
                                                                                  
End-of-Course On-Line Exam: 20 %
Instructions and deadline will be given on the last day of class