catherine russell
life science teacher/web designer
teaching experience |
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Philosophy: |
"Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand." |
Teaching |
Teacher of Evolution (2004-Present) Educational Web and Multimedia Producer (1994 – 2001) Biology Teaching Assistant (1990 -1993) Microbiology Lab Instructor (1989) |
Educational Multimedia: |
Tree of Life - This interactive shows various schemes used to classify living organisms. Epic of Evolution - This web site provides resources for students, teachers and the general public to help them understand the Epic of Evolution, the scientific story of our 13.7 billion year-old universe, of life on planet Earth and of our human journey. Bear Creek Elementary School - I volunteered to lead group in redesign of this web site. Environmental Science
and Engineering at MSU - This site was aimed at informing students about the opportunities for environemental science and engineering education at Michigan State University. Schoolcraft Bioaugmentation - This web site tells the story of a successful bioremediation project in Michigan. Microbe Zoo version 2 on CD-ROM - This was a substantial update to version one of the Microbe Zoo. We added new microbes, expanded the narration, and enhanced interactivity. Microbe of the Month. This joint project of ISME and Digital Learning Center for Microbial Ecology (DLC-ME.) featured a novel microbe of interest each month. International Society for Microbial Ecology web pages. Launched 1998. Web Weaver, designed pages, created graphics, collected information, wrote text, created pages. This site had a small section that taught about the science of Microbial Ecology. Digital Learning Center
for Microbial Ecology Microbe Zoo - interactive CD-ROM published 1997 by Peregrine Publishers. Selected as Parents' Choice Award winner by Newsweek Parents' Guide to Software and finalist in the 1996 Invision Awards by New Media Magazine. Compost Happens - interactive simulation about the microbiology of composting (created using Director). Presented at the American Society of Microbiology Annual Meeting in Atlanta, 1994. Nitrogen Cycle Game - interactive simulation (created using Director) of the Nitrogen Cycle featuring the role of microbes in converting nitrogen compounds in the biosphere. Presented at science teacher workshop at Michigan State University, 1996. |
Hands-On |
I developed or modified (where noted) the following hands-on activities that I have used in Exploring Evolution and in various workshops. Tinkering With Evolution - This hands-on activity lets students "tinker" with DNA to observe how gene duplication with subsequent modification is an important source of genetic variation. Velcro simulates genes. Moving these Velcro "genes" demonstrates point deletions, insertions, duplications and DNA mobility. Evolution Beads: Guide to Understanding the Epic of Evolution - Students learn about the Epic of Evolution by chosing beads to represent major events in the 13.7 billion years since the universe began. To assist them, I have created a printed guidebook that lists the times of major events in the Epic of Evolution and provides spaces for students to describe their unique beads. DNA Beads - DNA is the language of biology. This simple activity provides a hands on way for students to learn about DNA's structure, replication, transcription and translation using inexpensive, easily obtainable beads and pipcleaners. The activity provides instant feedback for the instructor to see if students comprehend the basics of DNA structure and replication. Natural Selection Scarf Tag - This outdoor game powerfully demonstrates natural selection. Will the long tails or the short tails survive? DNA Pop-Beads - This activity demonstrates DNA structure and replication using "Pop-Beads" available from science education supply companies. Isolating DNA from Strawberries - Synthesizing the best of other DNA extraction activities, I have adapted this to be reliable and to use everyday household ingredients. Candy Cells: Exploring Symbiosis in Cell Evolution - This easy and delicious activity demonstrate endosymbiosis, how simple cells merged to form more complex cell with greater powers than either alone. Skulls Comparison - I developed a worksheet for students to fill out as a guide to help them compare skulls of extinct and extant primates Bird Beak Adaptations - I made a simple modification of a hands-on investigation of how shape and structure of beaks affects the type of food that birds are able to eat. Students love this! Rainbow Dating: Using Spectroscopy to Determine the Age of the Universe - Students will learn about the characteristics of light that help us learn about the evolution of stars, galaxies, and the universe. Fossils in Strata - Digging fossils from simulated sedimentray layers. Tiles Through Time - Students create and then place tiles along path to represent major events in the Epic of Evolution. Date A Rock - I have created a worksheet to accompany this activity that uses beans and corn to simulate the use of radioisotope half-lives to provide a reliable measure for age-dating rocks. Age-dating rocks involves counting atoms and comparing the counts. Download worksheet . |
Russell, Catherine, 2007. "Tinkering with DNA: Hands on activities to learn about DNA's role in evolution." Workshop and presentation to National Science Teachers Association meeting in Denver, October, 2007. Russell, Catherine. 2007. "Tree of Life" poster. This colorful poster depicts the relationships of all life on Earth based on DNA evidence. Presented to National Science Teachers Association meeting in Denver, October, 2007. McGowan, C., R.M.Russell, S. Tellschow, B. Cors, J. Whallon, J. Holt, R.W. Matson, and C.J. Heeter. 1996. "The Microbe Zoo on the Internet and on CD-ROM: Students' and Teachers' Experiences with the Digital Learning Center for Microbial Ecology", 96th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, New Orleans, Louisiana, 19-23 May 1996. Russell, R.M., C. McGowan, R. W. Matson, S. Tellschow, J. Whallon, J. Holt and C. J. Heeter. 1995. "The Microbe Zoo: Interactive educational multimedia in microbial ecology." Computer demonstration presented at the 7th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology, Santos, Brazil, August 27- September 1995. McGowan, C. and R. M. Russell. 1995. "The Digital Learning Center for Microbial Ecology." Computer demonstration presentation to the 95th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C. 21-25 May. McGowan, C. 1995. "Compost Happens: Interactive Model of Composting " Computer demonstration presentation to the 95th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C. 21-25 May. note: my unmarried name was McGowan. |