Modeling the Molecular World, Part 1: Tactile Teaching with Physical Models

July 7 - 12, 2008, Milwaukee School of Engineering

Course Directors: Tim Herman and Shannon Colton

Photo:Teachers in the summer course During the Modeling the Molecular World, Part 1 course, we will focus on connecting the macroscopic world in which students live with the invisible world of molecules. We will begin by exploring general principles of chemistry underlying molecular structure and function, and how these give rise to a complex array of “molecular machines” that work coordinately to maintain the living state. We will focus on proteins, and how they “know” what shape they should fold up into, following their synthesis as linear polymers of amino acids.

Photo:Teacher in the summer course We will use a variety of physical models in an effort to make this molecular world “real”. We will also introduce the use of RasMol and JMOL -- computer visualization tools that can be used to expand on the concepts of protein structure that are initially created by the use of the physical models. We will also discuss a variety of different teaching strategies and “pedagogical moments”, interspersed throughout the workshop. This workshop will also prepare teachers to either coach a Science Olympiad Protein Modeling team or to organize a SMART Team (Students Modeling A Research Topic) at your school.

Teachers participating in this course will also receive:

a collection of physical models and other instructional materials (valued at $300)
tuition-free special graduate credits*
free accommodations (in our luxurious dorm)
limited travel stipends based on documented need
lifetime membership in a community of innovative teachers making the molecular world come alive for their students.

To apply for this course, please click here.

* These graduate credits are inteded for teacher certification purposes. They do not apply to other advanced degree programs.