NSF PALM Project

Proteins in Active Learning Modules

Proteins in Active Learning Modules (PALM) Project is committed to the development of new instructional materials that will capture students' interest in molecular structure/function and stimulate them to learn more about this fascinating molecular world. The PALM Project focuses on developing compelling ‘molecular stories’ centered on medically or socially relevant proteins for use in the undergraduate classroom. Modules utilize multiple representations of proteins to help students visualize the invisible molecular world and are designed to enhance existing undergraduate curricula. Physical models built with rapid prototyping technology, hands-on Mini-Toober© folding activities, animations, Jmol tutorials and molecular placemats are used synergistically in active learning activities that allow students to explore protein structure-function relationships.

The Center for BioMolecular Modeling is working with undergraduate educators and future faculty to develop a range of innovative instructional materials that facilitate student understanding of difficult concepts in molecular structure and function. These instructional materials include:

physical models of proteins and other molecular structures
computer-generated images of proteins (narrated Jmol tutorials)
molecular animations that place the protein within the context of a macromolecular assembly, a metabolic pathway or physiological mechanism
dynamic, precisely-scaled illustrations as well as schematic drawings
graphical representations of data related to protein function

Together, these instructional materials facilitate the telling of molecular stories. The stories that we would like to share with our students have become complex, compelling, and three-dimensional. The tools we use to communicate these stories to our students should possess these same qualities.

A more detailed description of the use of physical models in teaching is provided in Tactile Teaching: Exploring Protein Structure/Function Using Physical Models.

The Center for BioMolecular Modeling is working with undergraduate educators and future faculty to develop, enhance and field-test these modules. Participants in the summer PALM workshop are introduced to the materials, provide feedback, and assess the impact of the modules in their classrooms. This website includes information on

If you are interested in participating in the PALM project, have questions about borrowing any of the materials that have been developed, or have suggestions for additional modules, please contact Margaret Franzen (franzen@msoe.edu).

To engage other undergraduate educators in the development and dissemination of these materials, we are hosting a series of three-day summer workshops. To find out more about the 2008 Summer PALM Workshop (May 29-31) and how to apply

The PALM project is supported by an NSF-CCLI grant (#0618688) to Tim Herman (Milwaukee School of Engineering), Margaret Franzen (Milwaukee School of Engineering), David Goodsell (The Scripps Research Institute), David Nelson (University of Wisconsin - Madison), Bill Sofer (Rutgers), and Dan Sem (Marquette University).