We (humans) do not have the same relationship with nature that we did in the past. Sadly, the connection between people and nature has eroded to such an extent that many people no longer have a meaningful relationship with nature at all. We are developing a framework for teaching the biological sciences that encourages students to metacognitively consider their relationship with nature as they learn. The publications below are teaching resources that contribute to the framework, which is currently in development.

*Indicates a Rowan University Undergraduate Student

Ruhl N and *Pimenta S. 2020. Are Humans Natural? Part 4: Human-Nature Relational Values through Time. Rowan Digital Works: Open Educational Resources, 18. Full Text

Ruhl N and *Dobson T. 2019. Are Humans Natural? Part 3: Nature relatedness and the American Dream. Rowan Digital Works: Open Educational Resources, 15. Full Text

A dramatic increase in the number of abnormal (deformed) frogs across the United States made international news in the late 90's and spurred hundreds of scientific studies. Despite a massive scientific effort, we still do not have a full explanation for the frog abnormality phenomenon. As the search for answers continues, we summarize what is known about this topic and suggest that science educators adopt this case-study for teaching the nature of science (NOS).

*Indicates Rowan University Undergraduate Student.

Ruhl N and Sanders B. In Press. Exploring the nature of science with abnormal frogs. Journal of Biological Education.

Ecologists are increasingly called upon to make use of statistics in their research, which makes understanding how to use and interpret statistics a priority. We developed an authentic (real) problem-based activity for teaching ANOVA that leverages a flawed primary literature article about wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca) and a topic that is highly relevant to young students: global climate change. The activity is flexible enough to be used with multiple different instructional modalities, course contexts, and/or statistical programs (we provide materials for R and JMP).

*Indicates Rowan University Undergraduate Student.

*Hopkins N, *Felker H, Dickerson C, O'Brien T, Whittinghill D, and Ruhl N. 2021. Climate change and strawberries: a real-life problem-based activity for teaching ANOVA. QUBES Educational Resources. Full text