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A “Sweet” Activity to Teach Basic Population Estimation Principles, Community Diversity Assessment, and Mathematical Reasoning to Biology Students
Jim R. Goetze, Marisela Rodriguez
The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 80 No. 7, September 2018; (pp. 522-528) DOI: 10.1525/abt.2018.80.7.522
Jim R. Goetze
JIM R. GOETZE is Professor of Biology and Chairperson in the Natural Sciences Department, Laredo College, West End Washington St., Laredo, TX 78040-4395; e-mail: jgoetze@laredo.edu.
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Marisela Rodriguez
MARISELA RODRIGUEZ is Dean of Arts and Sciences, Laredo College, West End Washington St., Laredo, TX 78040-4395; e-mail: marisela.rodriguez@laredo.edu.
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Abstract

In this article, we describe how to utilize differently colored M&M candies to represent species within a simulated biological community, and obtain population and diversity estimates utilizing Lincoln-Petersen and Shannon-Weaver methods, respectively. Through use of this activity, our students gain a better understanding of mathematical applications in biological research, and are exposed to basic census and community analysis techniques utilized by practicing biologists. Additionally, this activity may be utilized in various instructional situations where, otherwise, it might prove impractical to take students on a fieldtrip to allow practice of these procedures.

  • mathematics
  • ecology
  • Lincoln-Petersen
  • Shannon-Weaver
  • © 2018 National Association of Biology Teachers. All rights reserved. Please direct all requests for permission to photocopy or reproduce article content through the University of California Press's Reprints and Permissions web page, www.ucpress.edu/journals.php?p=reprints.
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Vol. 80 No. 7, September 2018

The American Biology Teacher: 80 (7)
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A “Sweet” Activity to Teach Basic Population Estimation Principles, Community Diversity Assessment, and Mathematical Reasoning to Biology Students
Jim R. Goetze, Marisela Rodriguez
The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 80 No. 7, September 2018; (pp. 522-528) DOI: 10.1525/abt.2018.80.7.522
Jim R. Goetze
JIM R. GOETZE is Professor of Biology and Chairperson in the Natural Sciences Department, Laredo College, West End Washington St., Laredo, TX 78040-4395; e-mail: jgoetze@laredo.edu.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
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Marisela Rodriguez
MARISELA RODRIGUEZ is Dean of Arts and Sciences, Laredo College, West End Washington St., Laredo, TX 78040-4395; e-mail: marisela.rodriguez@laredo.edu.
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A “Sweet” Activity to Teach Basic Population Estimation Principles, Community Diversity Assessment, and Mathematical Reasoning to Biology Students
Jim R. Goetze, Marisela Rodriguez
The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 80 No. 7, September 2018; (pp. 522-528) DOI: 10.1525/abt.2018.80.7.522
Jim R. Goetze
JIM R. GOETZE is Professor of Biology and Chairperson in the Natural Sciences Department, Laredo College, West End Washington St., Laredo, TX 78040-4395; e-mail: jgoetze@laredo.edu.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
  • View author's works on this site
Marisela Rodriguez
MARISELA RODRIGUEZ is Dean of Arts and Sciences, Laredo College, West End Washington St., Laredo, TX 78040-4395; e-mail: marisela.rodriguez@laredo.edu.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Search for this author on this site
  • View author's works on this site
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  • Top
  • Article
    • Abstract
    • Introduction
    • Methods
    • Procedure: Lincoln-Petersen Estimate Calculation
    • Appendix: Lincoln Petersen Estimation and Shannon-Weaver Calculation Student Worksheet
    • References
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