You are here: Home / Resources / Browse Resources

Open. Adaptable. Free.

Resources created by our members and partners.

The QUBES platform hosts hundreds of teaching materials, reference materials, and cloud-based software free to use and adapt using open Creative Commons licenses.

Text Search:
Applied Filters
    Visits to the writing center and office hours provide students structured reflection and low-stakes feedback on scientific writing in an Introductory Biology course
    Effective written communication of scientific concepts is a critical, but difficult skill for undergraduate STEM majors to acquire. Oftentimes, the grades of lab reports are negatively impacted by...

    Keywords: scientific writingwater qualityanalysis of results

    462

    views

    99

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Healing the scars: Tropical rainforest carbon cycling. Does it matter which tree species you plant?
    This online module explores how differences in traits of tropical tree species translate into differential effects on the carbon cycle, integrating ecological information across scales and the...

    Keywords: climate changecarbon cyclingtropical biology4DEE Frameworkforest restorationtropical tree speciessoil carbon

    253

    views

    72

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Advancing Global Learning Through a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Module on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)
    An increasingly interconnected world presents opportunities for globally relevant curricula in the classroom. Implementing collaborative online international learning (COIL) modules within...

    Keywords: Collaborative Online International LearningGlobal LearningPlants and SocietyUnited Nations Sustainable Development GoalsMedicinal PlantsPhytochemicalsPlant Natural Products

    1671

    views

    139

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Starting Conversations About Discrimination Against Women in STEM
    Many scientists know about — and experience — discrimination against women. In this professional development lesson, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and other career...

    Keywords: identityracismGender discriminationIntersectionalityMicroagressionsSexismSexual assaultSexual harassmentTrolling

    1241

    views

    119

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Exploring the City of Biofilms: An Engaging Analogy-Based Activity for Students to Learn Biofilms
    Multicellular biofilms constructed by microbes are key aspects of microbiology with significant implications in various fields, including medicine, environmental science, and biotechnology. While...

    Keywords: bacteriaBiofilmsquorum sensing

    5654

    views

    149

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Sanger Sequencing by Hand: Using Paper Clips to Demonstrate Chain Termination
    Sanger sequencing is commonly taught with a hands-on approach. Sanger sequencing involves chain termination by dideoxynucleotides, because they are missing the oxygen on the 3’ carbon atom,...

    Keywords: nucleotidessequencingDNAgel electrophoresisChain Termination

    952

    views

    176

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Understanding Gastric Acid Secretion: An Active Learning Approach
    The human digestive system is a diverse network of cells, tissues, and organs that is regulated by systemic (e.g., nervous and endocrine systems) and local factors (e.g., secretions, pH, and the...

    Keywords: diseasesignal transductionAcid SecretionAutonomic Nervous SystemEndocrineGastric PhysiologyGPCRHistology of Gastric Pit

    1002

    views

    387

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Evaluating Representation in Science Through a Peer-Reviewed Research Study
    The demographic representation of scientists featured in biology curricular materials do not match that of the undergraduate biology student population or of the U.S. population. In this lesson, we...

    Keywords: societyRepresentationSTEM equity

    554

    views

    81

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Peek into Plant Diversity using Herbarium Specimens (Online!)
    This exercise introduces herbarium specimens and how they are used for research. Students contribute to specimen "digitization" using the citizen science platform Notes from Nature, and they work...
    1428

    views

    523

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Why are Cells Small? Surface Area to Volume Ratio
    This module explores surface area to volume ratios in a cube and sphere in relation to cell size.

    Keywords: introductory biologygraphingRatiosOpenStaxqbccmanipulate equationsCellular and Molecular BiologyUse elementary functionsCreate graphsInterpret graphsRates and ProportionsSolving Equations and Inequalitiesinterpret tables

    1968

    views

    1001

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Exploring Miracle Fruit: An Undergraduate Laboratory Exercise on Experimental Design
    In recent years, undergraduate biology and biochemistry curricula have seen an increase in the use of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). CUREs maximize potential student gains...

    Keywords: sensory systemspHProtein shapeTaste

    2100

    views

    419

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Squirreling Around for Science: Observing Sciurid Rodents to Investigate Animal Behavior
    Hands-on research experiences are important opportunities for students to learn about the nature of inquiry and gain confidence in solving problems. Here, we present an inquiry-based lesson plan...

    Keywords: foragingbehaviorbehavioral ecologySciuridSquirrelSquirrel-NetTrade-offVigilance

    2441

    views

    905

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Who’s That Speci-Mon? Using PokémonTM to Understand Biological Terminology Using Greek and Latin Roots
    We set out to create a fun and engaging activity using recognizable fictional characters, so students get a chance to practice using Greek and Latin roots to create binomial names. Students in...

    Keywords: linguisticstaxonomyAnatomyGreek and Latin Roots

    1327

    views

    326

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Lateral Transfer Maps as a Metacognitive Tool in First Year STEM Courses
    We introduce the Lateral Transfer Map (LTM), a tool for students to actively and visually explore the transfer of ideas, skills, and concepts across concurrent coursework. The LTM is an extension...

    Keywords: concept mapmetacognitionfirst-year studenttransfer

    1055

    views

    135

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Factor Structure Assessment of the Students Support Needs Scale-Augmented for African-American STEM Students
    Poster on the impact of a performance pyramid-based peer-led learning community on course knowledge at a Historically Black University. Presented at the 2021 BIOME Institute.

    Keywords: modelingSTEM education2021 BIOMEfactor structure

    682

    views

    160

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Between a rock and a hard place. What can turning rocks tell us about land-use change impacts on animals living in a rock outcrop?
    Unique rock outcrops in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in India provide a setting that challenges students to develop a study to assess the impact of land-use change on threatened animals...

    Keywords: conservationagricultureland useamphibianstropicalbiodiversity losslateritic outcropopen natural ecosystemsreptilesrocks

    1523

    views

    108

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Wildlife Crossings in Costa Rica: Are wildlife crossing structures effective in mitigating roadkill mortality on tropical highways?
    Meet Jack Ewing, an ecotourism pioneer in Costa Rica who fought to safeguard wildlife from roadkill mortality caused by enlargement of a major highway. This module presents the topic of road...

    Keywords: Biodiversityconservation biologyland use changeRoad Ecologyecosystem managementfragmentation

    286

    views

    49

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Introducing PHAGES Students to Primary Literature
    The ‘Introducing PHAGES Students to Primary Literature’ set of teaching resources offers faculty 2 distinct sets of teaching resources for introducing students to scientific literature in the...
    1174

    views

    1553

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    The ml4bio Workshop: Machine Learning Literacy for Biologists
    Presentation on machine learning literacy for biologists at the 2019 Great Lakes Bioinformatics Conference

    Keywords: bioinformaticsmachine learning

    1213

    views

    254

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    A Momentum-First Approach to Newton’s Second Law
    Students frequently struggle with seeing the connection between forces and motion in introductory physics. This lesson is part of a combined momentum and kinematics unit that first teaches...

    Keywords: group workMomentumNewton's Laws

    390

    views

    46

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Close

    Home

    Search