Expert: Walter Hintz - 4/12/2008

Question
Dear,
Most of the students that study in biology fields here in our university are those whom couldn't be accepted in medicine entrance, so they are not interested in the field they are studying.
and this can cause them to scape from learning,
we are going to start series of seminars to introduce glory of biology to these students, we want these seminars to be a type of polylog than a monolog seminar ( I mean we want every body to speak about the subject of the seminar ) and every body can say their Idea in that field,
but now my problem is that how i have to start this?
i mean i need an interesting topic in biology that everybody  can say his idea about that and i need that subject to be interesting for the first seminar?
would you please help me with the subject of the seminar?
and please tell me if you have any more idea to attract students to this important field of science!?
Thank you very much
Best wishes,
Mohammad

Answer
Hi Mohammad;
 The best way to study biology is to do things.  Any hands-on activity usually stimulates interest.  Is that possible in your seminars. If so try to gat some harmless reptiles or insects that can be handled.  In fact entomology would be a good topic.  I use Madagasgar hissing roaches with my students.  I have a number of hands on experiments regarding physiology that you can do with few resources.  I have an enzyme study that can be done with H2O2 and beef liver. I also have a study of photosynthesis using paper chromotography. Let me know if you would like this information.
Look into discussions about animal mimicry. Since these students are frustrated medical people they might like to talk  about parasites
Videos that can be shown and discussed are also a good idea.  There was a recent series out called planet Earth that should be available in libraries.