The “flipped” undergraduate research lab: teaching core molecular biology techniques with descriptive protocols and videos (618.30)

Abstract

Many researchers at primarily undergraduate institutions face a dilemma—how to balance the teaching, service and research loads. As the size of the research laboratory grows it becomes increasingly necessary to develop efficient strategies to train newer students coming into the lab. Historically, many lab heads have taken the approach where older, more seasoned students introduce new students to methods and techniques. In situations where the lab head is either starting a new laboratory, or is not able to recruit a steady stream of students, continuity between students or cohorts of students coming into the lab may not exist. I am developing two types of assistive tools to introduce undergraduate research students to the core methods and techniques in molecular biology using highly descriptive protocols that include images and narrated videos that demonstrate methods visually. While these tools will never serve as a replacement for mentorship, they will provide students with details about methods that can be reviewed at will and when the mentor is not available. These tools will be made freely available to other researchers through open‐access pipelines such as YouTube and our website.Grant Funding Source: Supported by start up funds from the Dean's Office.