Teacher Process
To facilitate BioQuest, teachers should complete the following process.
1. Assign students to groups of 3. Assign the following jobs, or let students choose: Director (reads), Researcher (types at the computer), or Recorder (writes).
2. Ask students how they think a scientist might learn. Introduce the BioQuest in which they'll read about how some cutting-edge modern scientists have learned. Ask each group to choose a scientist from the BioQuest to research. For the widest variety of data, keep track of their choices on the "Scientist Checklist" to insure that everyone chooses a different scientist.
3. Provide a copy of the "How Modern Scientists Learn" Data Table for each group. Explain that the scientist profiles are based on surveys that the scientists completed for Bio Quest.
4. When all groups have finished their Data Tables, meet as a class to discuss their findings. Have each group report their findings for each of the 11 questions on their Data Tables. On a large, class-sized Data Table, record their data with marker. Highlight data which is the same for more than one group. Ask if anyone in the class has the same interests or learning styles as the scientists on the Class Data Table.
5. Provide a copy of the "Sample Bio-poem" and a piece of drawing paper for each student in the class.
6. Facilitate the editing process as students write the rough draft of their Bio-poems. Help them to design how to rewrite the poem on drawing paper and add illustrations. These may be hand-drawn or copied and printed from the computer. Assist with the copying/pasting process if necessary.
7. Have students share their finished Bio-poems with the class.
8. Display the Bio-poems or publish them in a class book.
9. Learners who finish early can read and watch video clips about real scientists and complete a data table in their journals. This activity is described in detail in the Conclusion section, after the scientists' quotes.