Proposal Title
Why do we get cancer? Using the example of breast cancer to help students learn fundamental introductory biology concepts and processes.
Session Type
Presentation
Room
Somerville House, room 3345
Start Date
13-7-2023 3:30 PM
End Date
13-7-2023 3:50 PM
Keywords
Human Disease, Cancer, First Year, Evolution, Molecular, Natural Selection, Chemotherapy, Bonds
Primary Threads
Teaching and Learning Science
Abstract
One of the grand challenges in intro science courses is the connection between content and real-world applications. In varying degrees, students are tasked with learning micro- and macro-scale processes that have seemingly tenuous-at-best connections to their daily lives. This can be true across a wide range of topics, from molecular bond types, to natural selection. This disconnect can cause some students to merely “go through the motions” of introductory coursework, motivated perhaps by the promise of more interesting and relevant material to come later in their academic journey.
To tackle this challenge, we redesigned an introductory biology course unit to focus on the fundamental biological and biochemical processes involved in the occurrence and treatment of breast cancer in humans. The course unit thus included topics like the genetics and molecular biology of tumor growth, the biogeography and tradeoffs associated with various carcinogenic alleles, the biochemistry involved in treatment, and the natural selection responsible for cancer resurgence. Our preliminary investigations indicated that when students engaged in course content through this lens, they found learning to be easier and content more relatable. They also demonstrated an understanding that human disease, at times, is a result a mismatch between biological and social evolution.
This research was approved by our institutional research ethics board.
Elements of Engagement
Participants will be engaged in think-pair-share and discussion opportunities. There will also be handouts reflecting the relevant course material, and context-specific implementation strategies. Engagement elements will be focused on helping participants envision how they might integrate the biology and/or biochemistry of breast cancer (or other human diseases) into their introductory, or upper level course teaching assignments.
Why do we get cancer? Using the example of breast cancer to help students learn fundamental introductory biology concepts and processes.
Somerville House, room 3345
One of the grand challenges in intro science courses is the connection between content and real-world applications. In varying degrees, students are tasked with learning micro- and macro-scale processes that have seemingly tenuous-at-best connections to their daily lives. This can be true across a wide range of topics, from molecular bond types, to natural selection. This disconnect can cause some students to merely “go through the motions” of introductory coursework, motivated perhaps by the promise of more interesting and relevant material to come later in their academic journey.
To tackle this challenge, we redesigned an introductory biology course unit to focus on the fundamental biological and biochemical processes involved in the occurrence and treatment of breast cancer in humans. The course unit thus included topics like the genetics and molecular biology of tumor growth, the biogeography and tradeoffs associated with various carcinogenic alleles, the biochemistry involved in treatment, and the natural selection responsible for cancer resurgence. Our preliminary investigations indicated that when students engaged in course content through this lens, they found learning to be easier and content more relatable. They also demonstrated an understanding that human disease, at times, is a result a mismatch between biological and social evolution.
This research was approved by our institutional research ethics board.