Translating Applied STEM Research into Secondary Science (TASRs)

TASRSs program graphic
Project Summary

This collection of high school lessons and units was created as part of the TASRSs program. The program provided an opportunity for Nebraska high school science teachers to collaborate with UNL STEM faculty and graduate students engaged in applied STEM research around agriculture and natural resources.  The program goals included developing innovative high school science lessons based upon contemporary applied science, enhancing teachers’ disciplinary knowledge, and enhancing pedagogical knowledge of STEM faculty and graduate students. During the pilot year, teams developed a series of high-school level lesson plans focused on biotechnology, pollinators and invasive species. These lessons align with science standards (Nebraska and Next Generation Science Standards) and are suitable for use in secondary science classrooms.   

High School
Classroom Instruction
At-Home Instruction
Life Sciences
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Technology
Engineering
Lesson
Socio-Scientific Issue
Systems Thinking
Informed Decision Making
Food
Energy
Water
Community Science
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Resource Summary

This standards-aligned, 5-E lesson provides students with a case study approach examining bumble bee population surveys and conservation strategies.

Resource Summary

Pollinators in the Biology Classroom is a standards-aligned, 5-E life science unit that teaches about aerobic and anaerobic respiration, genetics, biotechnology, and food safety in the context of honey bees.

Resource Summary

Space Invaders is a standards-aligned, 5-E life science unit teaching about the ecology, evolution, and effects of invasive species as it applies to both natural and agricultural ecosystems.

Resource Summary

In this standards-aligned, 5-E lesson plan, students will learn about the development of Golden Rice, a genetically-engineered organism, as a way to combat vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in developing countries.

Resource Summary

Biotechnology: Enviropigs is a standards-aligned, 5-E life science unit focused on debating the application of genetic engineering to solve an environmental problem of nutrient pollution.

Materials
Resource Summary

Genetic Engineering: Journey of a Gene is a standards-aligned, 5-E life science unit that adapts the Journey of a Gene online learning modules created by Dr. Don Lee for the high school biology classroom.