Modeling is a key scientific practice shared among scientific fields and recognized as a Core Competency for biology undergraduate education in the “Vision and Change” report. Opportunities to engage with models abound in every course and “modeling instruction” materials are available. Yet modeling use in undergraduate biology remains rare. I will first interactively present the “Connections to My Courses” project as a way for diverse students to 1) make connections to their own experiences, interests, and goals, 2) critically evaluate models from different courses, 3) metacognitively reflect on their learning, 4) tap into the multidisciplinary nature of science and 5) communicate scientific concepts (targeting 2-3 additional Core Competencies relevant to all Core Concepts). Next, participants will consider how to build in opportunities for their students to evaluate, share, and make connections between models that are already used in their course (or how to incorporate modeling instruction in instructor professional development).
