The field of quantitative biology involves using mathematics, statistics, and modeling to analyze the results ofbiological experiments. Students at the high school and undergraduate levels can develop these skills througha comprehensive STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. These analytical skills arecrucial for success in many careers, including those in science, and for making informed decisions in daily life.However, despite the importance of this training, and the significant funding provided by the U.S. Departmentof Education, biological science teachers often struggle to incorporate quantitative analysis into their curricula.This is often due to a lack of resources, equipment, expertise, and time. This proposal aims to address thesechallenges by creating equipment, experiments, and comprehensive resources that can be used to bringquantitative analysis into teaching laboratories.One barrier to incorporating quantitative analysis in teaching laboratories is that the necessary equipment isdesigned for research use; it is too expensive, bulky, fragile, and complicated for use in an educationalenvironment. To address this problem, we will continue to develop the EdvoReader, a simple, integrated devicedesigned for students to perform inquiry-based quantitative biology experiments in the lab. In Phase I, wedeveloped a thermal cycler with a precision optical detection system that is capable of both colorimetry andreal-time PCR analysis. In Phase II, we will refine the EdvoReader's optical system and focus on thedevelopment of a touch screen interface that creates a faster and easier workflow and directs users throughsetup, operation, and data analysis. By building this instrument from the ground up, the EdvoReader canincorporate the features most important to educators while minimizing costs.To complement the EdvoReader, we will develop a series of inquiry-based experiments for the educationallaboratory. One set of experiments focuses on the basics of environmental monitoring, focusing on waterquality testing. A second set of experiments integrates quantitative biology into experiments commonlyperformed in biology, biochemistry, environmental science, and biotechnology classes. To complement thehands-on experiments, we will create an extensive training library, including how-to videos, interactivesimulations, and materials for STEM career exploration. An assessment team has been recruited to evaluatethe EdvoReader and associated experiments for its effects on STEM identity and for the development ofquantitative skills in high school students. By combining a low cost, user-friendly instrument with dedicatedexperiments, the EdvoReader platform will provide educators with an inexpensive and accessible pathway toteach quantitative biotechnology. In turn, students will gain valuable hands-on training and an understanding ofSTEM analysis that will be critical for career development.
Public Health Relevance Statement: Project Narrative Mastery of quantitative biology skills, through training in mathematics and statistics in high school and undergraduate laboratory courses, is crucial for the successful preparation of students for contemporary STEM careers. To address this need, we propose the continued development of the EdvoReader platform, a quantitative biology framework that combines a user-friendly instrument, a collection of hands-on educational experiments, and a citizen science curriculum to guide students through data collection and analysis. Importantly, experimentation using this platform will introduce students to quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and colorimetry, essential laboratory techniques that have become a cornerstone of disease detection, environmental monitoring, and biotechnology research.
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