Experiential Learning is the cornerstone of my teaching
$4,500 Experiential Learning in Academic Programming Grant
“Mischief in the Harbour”
In partnership with CityLAB Hamilton and the City of Hamilton, students from McMaster University embarked on a two-week course to gather data and learn first-hand just how the addition of riprap (large boulders) is impacting round goby success and the success of other fish species in Hamilton Harbour.
Continuing with experiential learning during the pandemic.
Animal Physiology in the Anthropocene
Wilfrid Laurier University
I collaborated with Ocean Networks Canada and the University of Victoria to give students the opportunity for hands-on experiential learning during the pandemic. From the safety of their own living rooms, students were introduced to underwater observatories and deep-sea video camera footage. Ocean Networks Canada’s video data improve our understanding of how biodiversity varies in the benthic region of the ocean, and how physical factors such as substrate type or temperature influence the distribution of animals in these regions.
Fulfilling a core program level outcome: students analyzed biological data from a variety of sources using appropriate tools, interpreted results, and drew appropriate conclusions.
Wilfrid Laurier University
2022-2023 Thesis Course - 4th year – 20 students
2022 Animal Physiology in the Anthropocene – 3rd year – 50 students
2022 Life on Earth: Animals – 3rd year – 250 students
2022 Biological Diversity and Evolution – 1st year – 75 students
2021 Animals: Form and Function – 3rd year – 108 students
2021 Environmental Toxicology – 3rd year – 50 students
McMaster University
2021 The Integrative Physiology of Animals – 2nd year - 100 students
2020 Animal Physiology: Regulatory Systems – 3rd year - 150 students
2020 Introductory Biology – 1st year – 230 students
2018 Introductory Biology - 1st year – 190 students
2018 Mischief in the Harbour Experiential Learning Course -3rd year – 12 students
2018 Peer Mentoring in Laboratory Skill Development -3rd year – 25 students
2017 Peer Mentoring in Science Communication -3rd year – 24 students
2016 Peer Mentoring in Science -3rd year – 45 students
2015 Animal Physiology – Homeostasis -3rd year – 100 students
University of Guelph
2021 Adaptational Physiology – 4th year – 46 students
Ontario Tech University
2021 Advanced Topics in Environmental Toxicology – 4th year