A Museum Learning Lab<\/a><\/p>\nLearning Lab article in The Science Teacher<\/p>\n
Statement of the problem or issue<\/h2>\n
Learning cellular processes from textbook diagrams is not optimal. Students have difficulty understanding the actions of molecules and visualizing the multistep processes. Therefore in schools, the structure of DNA is often explained but DNA function is not. This exhibit teaches about proteins, and also what has become known as the \u201cCentral Dogma\u201d of biology: DNA makes RNA makes proteins.<\/p>\n
Description of activity, project, solution, and outcome<\/h2>\n
The LEGO molecules can be used at different levels of instruction. However in the typical lesson, a sophisticated simulation of protein synthesis is possible.\u00a0 To gain familiarity with proteins, students begin the lesson by constructing a primary protein sequence from amino acids and by folding the chains.<\/p>\n
After that, we work with a LEGO DNA gene for a model membrane channel protein, transcribing it into mRNA and translating it into a protein on a ribosome.\u00a0 Our last step folds the different protein subunits into a final shape which is inserted into a cell membrane.<\/p>\n
The consequences of mutated genes can be directly noted, some changing the proteins’ shape and others having no effect.\u00a0 This lesson takes about an hour and it alternates with a session where students experience proteins and DNA in computer simulations.\u00a0 HS teachers come for refresher biology workshops, as well.<\/p>\n
Importance or relevance to other faculty, staff, students, departments, and programs<\/h2>\n
Overall, \u201cLearning Lab: the Cell\u201d offers multiple modes of learning, with tactile and virtual models for gaining insights into how cells work.\u00a0 The manipulatives provide learners with the opportunity to put their concepts into practice.\u00a0\u00a0 Also, since learners work in pairs, discussions and questions rise naturally and the instructors can easily check for understanding.<\/p>\n
This method of learning is especially recommended for out-of-field faculty interested in learning molecular biology as this experience is both memorable and fun.\u00a0 A grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations is providing for the development of the instructions and curriculum to recreate the exhibition and its programs.<\/p>\n
Kathleen M. Vandiver, Ph.D., Director, Community Outreach and Education, MIT Center for Environmental Health Sciences
\nAmanda Gruhl, Ph.D. Curriculum Coordinator, Community Outreach and Education, MIT Center for Environmental Health Sciences
\nRobin Meisner, Director of Programs, MIT Museum
\n(Presented at MIT Educational Technology Fair 2009)<\/p>\n
Topic Area(s)<\/h2>\n
4.\u00a0Incorporating visualizations and simulations to deepen student understanding (main topic)<\/em>
\n5.\u00a0Open educational tools and resources<\/em>
\n6.\u00a0Promoting cross-departmental collaborations<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Poster Presentation\/Demo Abstract \u201cLearning Lab: the Cell\u201d is classroom where learners experience how molecules function using both tactile LEGO\u00ae molecules specially designed for teaching cell processes, and computer simulations. A kit for cloning this exhibit and its curriculum is under development. Learning Lab: the Cell Photo Gallery Teaching DNA and Protein Synthesis? Ad for Learning […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[45,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-edtech-fair-2009","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mitcet.mit.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mitcet.mit.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mitcet.mit.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mitcet.mit.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mitcet.mit.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1318"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mitcet.mit.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1318\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2384,"href":"https:\/\/mitcet.mit.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1318\/revisions\/2384"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mitcet.mit.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mitcet.mit.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mitcet.mit.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}