FAS Abstracts 2004 Meeting Page

Science Teaching (TCH): TCH-6

|search by author| |return to TCH 2004| |return to FAS 2004|

A model laboratory exercise to teach research methodologies to non-science majors. G.E. ELLIS, A. SILER-KNOGL, I. REYES, S. GAYMONT and J. DABDOUB.  Barry University, Miami Shores, FL  33161.  Through the use of a live animal research project non-science majors observed altered nutritional effects on groups of Charles River Breeding Laboratory CD-1 strain albino mice.  The students worked in six (6) groups of four (4) and caged four (4) male or female mice during a thirty (30) day experimental time period.  During the first week all animals were maintained on a control diet and their body weights were recorded every two to three days.  After the first week experimental diets were implemented to demonstrate characteristic changes in growth and development.  Dietary changes involved altering the carbohydrate, protein, lipid and Kcal intake to determine what effects they produced in growth during the experimental phase.  A low protein diet was used to mimic the condition of Kwashiorkor.  At the end of a two week experimental diet all animals were placed back on the control diet to observe recovery.  Measurements of change in weight were related to dietary intake parameters and the students analyzed the collected data to determine what effects dietary intake had on growth and development within the population of the CD-1 mice.  (Supported by National Science Foundation Curriculum Development and Planning Grant awarded to Gilbert Ellis, NSF proposal 0310574).