APBioWikiWebQuest

A WebQuest for AP Biology
(grades 11-12)

 

Designed by Shelly Peretz

peretz.shelly@district205.net

Artist: Steven M. 8 years old
This artwork is from the collection of Rainforest Action Network (RAN).

Wiki Shortcuts

| WikiSandbox | WikiForum | StudentPage

| People Themes | Topics| Concepts | Issues | Debates | Books

WikiSandbox GO

You can practice editing pages in the WikiSandbox.

WikiForum GO

Make a new page and list the names and a short description of all 10 entries you'll be making. Look at what's already posted first so that there are no duplications.

People GO

Who had tried hundreds of compounds to treat syphilis, and the six hundred and sixth worked? Who had so much going on in his lab that it was often in a jumble? Who made their first fossil find at age 6? How did Melvin and Calvin and his students discover the sugar-producing cycle of photosynthesis? 

What scientists, who lived at different times through history, have made a difference in our lives?

Themes GO

Themes are overarching features of biology that apply throughout the curriculum.  A biology course has more structure and meaning when the key concepts for each topic are placed in the broader context of unifying themes. As an example, the theme of "energy transfer" helps you to connect topics as diverse as cellular respiration and ecosystem dynamics.

There are eight major themes that recur throughout the course:

1. Science as a Process
2. Evolution
3. Energy Transfer
4. Continuity and Change
5. Relationship of Structure to Function
6. Regulation
7. Interdependence in Nature
8. Science, Technology, and Society 

Topics GO

Topics are the subject areas in biology.  See the topic outline that organizes biology into subject areas. An example of a topic is "cellular respiration."

Concepts GO

Concepts are the key ideas, restricted in scope to a certain topic. Emphasizing concepts over facts makes the content of a biology course more meaningful and less overwhelming.

An example of a topic is "cellular respiration." In a conceptual approach to this topic, for example, it is important to understand how membranes couple ATP synthesis to the energy released by electron transport.  This key concept stands above discrete "facts," such as the role of a particular cytochrome in electron transport.

You may refer to an annotated version of the topic outline with examples of questions designed to direct you toward some key concepts for each topic. You can also refer to the free response questions dealing with biological concepts.

Issues GO

Many of the value-rich issues in our lives are related to content in biology.  Such topics as environmental degration, species diversity, fetal tissue transfer, or the new reproductive strategies are only a few of many which could be mentioned.  Explore the ethical, legal, and social issues on a number of topics.

Debates GO

Knowing science involves more than knowing the final answer that scientists today agree upon as correct. Scientists mentioned in this exhibit devoted their lives to certain ideas, in some cases, did not know whether or not they were right. It does a disservice to students to teach about such controversial and ground-breaking ideas as if there was little doubt. As someone once said, "Knowing science is not a destination, it is the journey."

Books GO

Take a look at the AP Biology "Great Books" List.  Compiled from messages to the AP Biology Electronic Discussion Group, this is a collection of "biological" books for pleasure reading, for background knowledge, and for student assignments.

Based on a template from The WebQuest Page