Associate Professor Ann Aguanno’s Research is Included in New Curriculum Development Book

According to Dr. Aguanno, the research component of the Marymount Manhattan Biology curriculum is the key to engaging students by making them feel a part of real scientific endeavors. In fact MMC Biology students frequently present their research findings at science conferences where they often earn awards.

“Yes, we’re small, but our students dominate at these undergraduate research competitions,” says Dr. Aguanno. She explains, “What sets us apart is the research autonomy given our undergraduates. Working directly with faculty, they run the labs and ‘own’ the research.”

Another advantage of Dr. Aguanno’s strategy is that research involves a different dynamic between student and faculty than is traditionally present within a science classroom. This kind of contact facilitates discussions that can open doors to new lines of inquiry and interests for students. “Our students often develop research relationships with the faculty early in their career and learn by doing in the lab. Combining research, mentoring and early engagement is an especially effective teaching model. It advances research while dovetailing with our education efforts,” she adds.

The rest of Dr. Aguanno’s chapter, co-authored by Winthrop University’s Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Takita Sumter, focuses on the teaching strategies necessary to support the emphasis on student research. For example, the chapter outlines a course combining elements of traditional biology and chemistry courses into a “General Chemistry” class that also prepares students for research.

Dr. Aguanno’s research suggests that traditional approaches to S.T.E.M. education can be improved by restructuring them to emphasize higher-ordered thinking skills and increasing student engagement. She credits the success of Marymount Manhattan’s Biology program, despite its size, to the attention she and her colleagues pay to preparing students for research.

“Our students consistently demonstrate a capability to think critically and problem-solve,” she says. “They take a body of knowledge and apply it to new research questions. They generate and interpret data and are excellent time managers and independent operators. They also develop mentorship skills and become outstanding communicators. We could not be more pleased by their achievements.

Published: March 12, 2013