The Baliga lab at the Institute for Systems Biology in collaboration with Bellevue School District and the Center for Inquiry Science has developed inquiry and standards based instructional materials for high school life science classrooms that utilize new practices in biology to teach the required science standards for Washington State. Systems Biology, extremophiles, simulations on organisms diversity and computer approaches to visualizing data in networks connect today's students with today's biology as they promote understanding of standards-based concepts. 

Two Complete Modules

The first module, Ecological Networks, began its field testing in the Bellevue School District in 2004. In 2007, it was certified by WA State LASER (Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform) as exemplary materials according to their rigorous guidelines. Since then, it has been used in classrooms throughout the state and continues to successfully teach key components of systems biology and ecology. The Ecological Networks module consists of three instructional units: An Introduction to Networks, Ecological Networks and Extremophiles, and The Great Salt Lake Case Study.

Detail of List of Credits

A second module, Genetic Control of Networks, is currently being field-tested and consists of three instructional units: Testing the Growth of Halobacterium in Light and Dark Conditions, Data Analysis to Propose Network Function, and Verifying Network Interactions.

If you have any questions, or are interested in ordering or field testing materials, please contact Claudia Ludwig at cludwig@systemsbiology.org or 206-732-1453. While many of our lab experiences call for items such as spectrophotometers, micropipettes, incubators, and/or centrifuges, the labs are often possible without these items. Please contact us for help obtaining or improvising given your current equipment. All written resources, instructions, PowerPoint presentations, etc. are available for free on our website. View each specific module webpage to access the free materials and descriptions. If you would like us to prepare the physical materials (media, cultures, test tubes, etc.) for you, we can do that at cost. We are in the process of finding funding to provide all of these materials for teachers for free on an ongoing basis. Contact us if you are interested in learning more.

Two Modules Being Field Tested

Response to the Environment: The Genetic Control of Networks (FREE)
    Typically taught in life science or biotechnology high school classes during a genetics unit. Contact Claudia Ludwig for field testing requirements and materials

Biology Drives Technology (FREE)
    Typically taught in physics or integrated science high school classes. Contact Claudia Ludwig for field testing requirements and materials