MODEL BASED INQUIRY IN AN INTRODUCTORY MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY SETTING

Abstract

The cycles of reasoning of “Model Based Inquiry” (MBI) were used to create a lesson plan for undergraduate Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratories at the University of Arizona. The implementation of this lesson plan was performed in a pilot lab using the unicellular organism Chlamydomonas, and students were audio and video recorded. Researchers paid specific attention to students’ observations and recognition of data patters, the development of explanatory models to explain these and in accordance with previous knowledge, the use of such models as predictive tools, and the revision or reinvention of models when additional information was given. Some limitation of the implementation of the lesson plan involved low attendance of students, and improper adherence to the lesson plan by the instructor. Even so, there was evidence of Model Based Inquiry performed by students as they investigated Chlamydomonas through microscopes and phototaxis assays.