Breaking the disciplinary barriers: A concept-centered approach to the teaching of biotechnology
Scientific concepts can be effectively taught by using an interdisciplinary approach devoid of the constraints that normally area established by the disciplines. Teaching at the boundary of the disciplines allows for a richer and more engaging learning experience. The use of parallel activities from biology and chemistry to teach the same concept results in a more rounded learning experience with participants sharing their knowledge and learning among themselves. The entire process of designing and implementing an immersion unit like the one we offered resulted in learning at various levels: among the chemists and biologists who developed it and learned from each other; among the pre service teachers and; among the high school biology and chemistry teachers who participated and learned from the resources offering the workshops and from each other. This approach to scientific teaching is proving to be an effective learning tool for the sciences.
