Emphasizing the Challenges of Scientific Communication Using an Icebreaker Activity
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| Title: | Emphasizing the Challenges of Scientific Communication Using an Icebreaker Activity |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Driver A.M |
| Source: | Bioscene: Journal of College Biology Teaching. 2025 51:29-35. |
| Availability: | Association of College and Biology Educators. Web site: http://acube.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 7 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Descriptive |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | College Students, Science Education, Science Instruction, Information Dissemination, Translation, Academic Language, Gamification, Biology, Peer Relationship, Learning Activities, Scientific Literacy, Scientific and Technical Information, Scientific Concepts, Teaching Methods |
| ISSN: | 1539-2422 |
| Abstract: | Effectively communicating scientific information is essential not only for advancing a specific field but also for building key relationships between researchers and society. One of the key challenges of this is the ability to translate highly technical terms into digestible concepts. Within my upper-level cellular biology course, students often underestimate this challenge. Therefore, I emphasize the importance of effectively translating biological terms early in the semester using a simple icebreaker activity. This activity combines the methodology of a party game with increasingly technical biological terms. In this multi-round activity students are challenged to draw and communicate using limited starting information. This in turn pushes students to not only think creatively about how to depict scientific terms but also realize the difficulty in doing so. Moreover, this game gets students interacting early in the semester and can result in humorous outcomes which helps break tension and promote an interactive learning environment. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1493340 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Effectively communicating scientific information is essential not only for advancing a specific field but also for building key relationships between researchers and society. One of the key challenges of this is the ability to translate highly technical terms into digestible concepts. Within my upper-level cellular biology course, students often underestimate this challenge. Therefore, I emphasize the importance of effectively translating biological terms early in the semester using a simple icebreaker activity. This activity combines the methodology of a party game with increasingly technical biological terms. In this multi-round activity students are challenged to draw and communicate using limited starting information. This in turn pushes students to not only think creatively about how to depict scientific terms but also realize the difficulty in doing so. Moreover, this game gets students interacting early in the semester and can result in humorous outcomes which helps break tension and promote an interactive learning environment. |
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| ISSN: | 1539-2422 |
