By analyzing 57 biology textbooks published over the past 50 years, Rabiya Ansari and I found that climate change content is, well, rather understated. Our paper appears in PLOS ONE. The main takeaways are:1) the average amount of content in the 2010s is just 67 sentences (about 3 pages in a 1000+ page textbook), and … More Biology Textbooks Fall Short on Climate Change
Each year, as my Biological Illustration class wraps up, we hold an End-of-Semester Exhibit. The students frame their favorite illustration, write artist statements, and display their work on easels throughout the biology building. I enjoy seeing the students’ well-deserved pride in their work. THIS is the result of intrinsic motivation, something I wish I could … More Virtual Exhibit
Our guest illustrator is P. Martineau, who drew this skeleton of a red-eared slider. Download a page to color and learn how the turtle moves with its hips and shoulders inside its ribs! (Hint: look at those curved arm bones)
Insect populations are declining… a lot. Recently published research from around the world indicates massive loss of these extremely important animals. Insect coverage in Introductory Biology textbooks has also declined (75% over the past century). Read the article in American Entomologist. Or check out the recent media coverage: Popular Science MagazineLab Out Loud (NSTA podcast)Science … More Decline of Insects (in Nature AND in Textbooks)
J.M. Landin 