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  • Inquiry & Investigation
Guiding Student Inquiry into Eukaryotic Organismal Biology Using the Plasmodial Slime Mold Physarum polycephalum
Andrea Weeks, Beverly Bachman, Sarah Josway, Arndt F. Laemmerzahl, Brittany North
The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 76 No. 3, March 2014; (pp. 196-200) DOI: 10.1525/abt.2014.76.3.8
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu
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Abstract

In order to challenge our undergraduate students’ enduring misconception that plants, animals, and fungi must be “advanced” and that other eukaryotes traditionally called protists must be “primitive,” we have developed a 24-hour take-home guided inquiry and investigation of live Physarum cultures. The experiment replicates recent peer-reviewed research regarding speed–accuracy tradeoffs and reliably produces data with which students explore key biological concepts and practice essential scientific competencies. It requires minimal resources and can be adapted for high school students or more independent student investigations. We present statistical analyses of data from four semesters and provide examples of our strategies for student engagement and assessment.

Key Words:
  • Behavior
  • data analysis
  • model organisms
  • protists
  • speed–accuracy tradeoffs
  • © 2014 by National Association of Biology Teachers. All rights reserved. Request permission to photocopy or reproduce article content at the University of California Press’s Rights and Permissions Web site at http://www.ucpressjournals.com/reprintinfo.asp.
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Vol. 76 No. 3, March 2014

The American Biology Teacher: 76 (3)
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Guiding Student Inquiry into Eukaryotic Organismal Biology Using the Plasmodial Slime Mold Physarum polycephalum
Andrea Weeks, Beverly Bachman, Sarah Josway, Arndt F. Laemmerzahl, Brittany North
The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 76 No. 3, March 2014; (pp. 196-200) DOI: 10.1525/abt.2014.76.3.8
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu

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Guiding Student Inquiry into Eukaryotic Organismal Biology Using the Plasmodial Slime Mold Physarum polycephalum
Andrea Weeks, Beverly Bachman, Sarah Josway, Arndt F. Laemmerzahl, Brittany North
The American Biology Teacher, Vol. 76 No. 3, March 2014; (pp. 196-200) DOI: 10.1525/abt.2014.76.3.8
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu
ANDREA WEEKS (aweeks3@gmu.edu) is Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, BEVERLY BACHMAN (bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu) and SARAH JOSWAY (sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu) are Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Biology Undergraduate Program, ARNDT F. LAEMMERZAHL (alaemmer@gmu.edu) is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Undergraduate Program, and BRITTANY NORTH (bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu) is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Undergraduate Program, all at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
  • For correspondence: aweeks3@gmu.edu bbachman@masonlive.gmu.edu sjosway@masonlive.gmu.edu alaemmer@gmu.edu bnorth3@masonlive.gmu.edu
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