Thinking About Thinking About Thinking About Thinking About

NatureNature

Christina P. Colon, Ph.D.Christina P. Colon, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor Biological SciencesAssistant Professor Biological Sciences

Kingsborough Community CollegeKingsborough Community College

City University of New YorkCity University of New York

Brooklyn, New YorkBrooklyn, New York

Background Background •Still in my first year Still in my first year •Urban inner-city two year collegeUrban inner-city two year college•High minority, immigrant, ESL, returning High minority, immigrant, ESL, returning •Bio 53 - EcologyBio 53 - Ecology

Biology majors electiveBiology majors electiveNever taught beforeNever taught before

•Bio 49 – People and EnvironmentBio 49 – People and EnvironmentNon-majors science electiveNon-majors science electiveTaught onceTaught once

A “What Is” QuestionA “What Is” Question

What do my students think/feel about nature?What do my students think/feel about nature?

Does that change after taking my classDoes that change after taking my class

Do they care and/or worry?Do they care and/or worry?

Do they value nature?Do they value nature?

Do they see its relevance to them?Do they see its relevance to them?

Do they want to learn more?Do they want to learn more?

Do they want to do more?Do they want to do more?

Questionable Questionable Methodologies..Methodologies..• Collaborate with Science Education facultyCollaborate with Science Education faculty

• Anonymous pre and post class surveys Anonymous pre and post class surveys

• Capture demographics Capture demographics

• Likert scale and Word bank Likert scale and Word bank

• Open ended questions:Open ended questions:The word nature makes me think of…..The word nature makes me think of…..

Nature is important to society because….Nature is important to society because….

Nature is relevant to me because…Nature is relevant to me because…

Who is responsible for taking care of nature?Who is responsible for taking care of nature?

Does class seating arrangement Does class seating arrangement impact attendance, retention, or impact attendance, retention, or

participation?participation?

Circular Logic??Circular Logic??