Integrating bones and biomes: bringing biological science education to elementary school communities through a tangible learning tool
ABSTRACT Biology education in U.S. elementary schools faces challenges, including declining science proficiency and disparities among minority students. Limited resources, outdated materials, and a shortage of qualified educators hinder efforts to deliver engaging and equitable biology instruction....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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American Society for Microbiology
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jmbe.00077-25 |
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| author | Phillip R. Myer Jennie L. Zambito Ivey |
| author_facet | Phillip R. Myer Jennie L. Zambito Ivey |
| author_sort | Phillip R. Myer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Biology education in U.S. elementary schools faces challenges, including declining science proficiency and disparities among minority students. Limited resources, outdated materials, and a shortage of qualified educators hinder efforts to deliver engaging and equitable biology instruction. To address these issues, Bones and Biomes was developed as a tool to provide an interactive, hands-on experience that introduces students to biological concepts through animal skull analysis and ecosystem modeling. The tool was implemented in two settings: second-grade classrooms at a STEM magnet school and a career fair at a public elementary school. Participants examined animal skulls, identified key features, and connected them to habitats and survival adaptations. Classroom content reached 87 students, and the career fair activity engaged approximately 60 individuals, including students and caregivers. Follow-up activities, such as “Creature Creation” and “Skull Sleuths,” encourage creative thinking and reinforce core concepts. The Bones and Biomes tool aided in developing scientific literacy, critical thinking, and collaboration while making biology accessible to diverse student populations. By using tangible learning tools and interactive methods, Bones and Biomes addresses resource gaps in underfunded schools and demonstrates a scalable approach to improving elementary science education. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eab6c198e69040e58a9b99f254205285 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1935-7877 1935-7885 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | American Society for Microbiology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-eab6c198e69040e58a9b99f2542052852025-08-21T13:01:46ZengAmerican Society for MicrobiologyJournal of Microbiology & Biology Education1935-78771935-78852025-08-0126210.1128/jmbe.00077-25Integrating bones and biomes: bringing biological science education to elementary school communities through a tangible learning toolPhillip R. Myer0Jennie L. Zambito IveyDepartment of Animal Science, The University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee, USAABSTRACT Biology education in U.S. elementary schools faces challenges, including declining science proficiency and disparities among minority students. Limited resources, outdated materials, and a shortage of qualified educators hinder efforts to deliver engaging and equitable biology instruction. To address these issues, Bones and Biomes was developed as a tool to provide an interactive, hands-on experience that introduces students to biological concepts through animal skull analysis and ecosystem modeling. The tool was implemented in two settings: second-grade classrooms at a STEM magnet school and a career fair at a public elementary school. Participants examined animal skulls, identified key features, and connected them to habitats and survival adaptations. Classroom content reached 87 students, and the career fair activity engaged approximately 60 individuals, including students and caregivers. Follow-up activities, such as “Creature Creation” and “Skull Sleuths,” encourage creative thinking and reinforce core concepts. The Bones and Biomes tool aided in developing scientific literacy, critical thinking, and collaboration while making biology accessible to diverse student populations. By using tangible learning tools and interactive methods, Bones and Biomes addresses resource gaps in underfunded schools and demonstrates a scalable approach to improving elementary science education.https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jmbe.00077-25evolutionhabitatbiomeskulladaptation |
| spellingShingle | Phillip R. Myer Jennie L. Zambito Ivey Integrating bones and biomes: bringing biological science education to elementary school communities through a tangible learning tool Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education evolution habitat biome skull adaptation |
| title | Integrating bones and biomes: bringing biological science education to elementary school communities through a tangible learning tool |
| title_full | Integrating bones and biomes: bringing biological science education to elementary school communities through a tangible learning tool |
| title_fullStr | Integrating bones and biomes: bringing biological science education to elementary school communities through a tangible learning tool |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrating bones and biomes: bringing biological science education to elementary school communities through a tangible learning tool |
| title_short | Integrating bones and biomes: bringing biological science education to elementary school communities through a tangible learning tool |
| title_sort | integrating bones and biomes bringing biological science education to elementary school communities through a tangible learning tool |
| topic | evolution habitat biome skull adaptation |
| url | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jmbe.00077-25 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT philliprmyer integratingbonesandbiomesbringingbiologicalscienceeducationtoelementaryschoolcommunitiesthroughatangiblelearningtool AT jennielzambitoivey integratingbonesandbiomesbringingbiologicalscienceeducationtoelementaryschoolcommunitiesthroughatangiblelearningtool |