Increasingly, the impact of the life sciences is felt out in the world, as biologists work not just to understand how organisms live, reproduce, and die, but how best to protect and restore the balance of human-altered ecosystems around the globe. In this high school level biology course, students will learn the fundamentals of the life sciences through the human stories of great discoveries. While exploring the scientific breakthroughs and key concepts of biology, learners will also dive deep into case studies of two keystone organisms in Earth’s ecosystems: bees and beavers. By bringing together the life sciences, their history, and real-world challenges in one class, students will be empowered to engage with and attempt to solve the many life science-related problems facing the Earth during their lifetimes.
Biology, Beavers, and Bees, Oh My! is a high school level, non-traditional two-semester biology course with a focus on narratives of science alongside science process, critical thinking, and real-world applications of the life sciences. Students who take this class will come away with an appreciation for the diversity of life on earth, the many practical (and critical) aspects of the life sciences, and how our societies need to approach the big topics in modern biology: conservation, restoration, and health in the 21st century.
In B,B, and B, Oh My A (Fall) students will learn about:
- The Process of Science
- Heredity
- The Structure and Function of DNA
- Historical Use and Misuse of Genetics
- Natural Selection and Evolution
- The Structure and Function of Cells
- Human Evolution
- The Plight of Bees Around the World
This is a 16-week class for teens working at high school level. Weekly webinars are 50 minutes long. Recordings are available for students who must miss a session.
Links to required books and optional apps:
- Required Textbook: The Story of Life: Great Discoveries in Biology
- Required Books:
The textbook is a brand new title from W. W. Norton, our favorite provider of educational resources.