Wildlife Resources Applied to Contemporary Goals in Biology Education

Abstract

R ECENT ARTICLES have challenged future biology programs to include the connection of science, technology, and society (Bybee, et al., 1981; Hurd, et al., 1980; Kahle, et al., 1981). Furthermore, Postlethwait (1980) encouraged the use of scientific methods in teach ing. He emphasized curriculum designs which defined the problem as clearly as possible, gathered relevant data from all available resources, and concluded a tentative position amenable to modification in light of new information. A varied assemblage of wildlife resources can be applied to the course content considerations and teaching strategies suggested by the above authors. This article describes how a research class of college and high school students working with wildlife specialists: * investigated the relationship between age and reproductive status in hunter-killed female coyotes; * applied the findings to the Cross Impact model of environmental analysis suggested by Chiras (1980); * provided additional examples of human-wildlife interactions for classroom use; * suggested other sources of information and study using wildlife resources.