AP+Conference+October+2009+(AP+Biology)

Dr. Calkins and I attended the AP Biology Conference in Ft. Lauderdale. The six one-hour sessions were centered around six topics, not all of which were discussed equally. The first session focused on AP Biology course requirements, equity in access to AP courses, and the AP audit. Next the free-response section of the course was examined with an emphasis on answering the essays with specific details that are clearly defined by the questions. The third session focused on a single area of the course that may (or may not) be emphasized on the exam. Strategies for review were discussed and teaching resources were examined. Finally, peripheral topics were mentioned and the course evaluated.

Science APs are about to undergo a major revision in curriculum. At present the volume of material to be covered far exceeds what can be presented to students, so a narrowing of focus is necessary. This is especially valid given that the AP Exam has become much more demanding in the last twenty years. The four areas to be emphasized are 1) evolution, 2) biological systems and their properties, 3) information, and 4) the interaction of systems components. Each of these main areas would concentrate on using models, quantitative reasoning, hypothesis formation, experimental approaches, data analysis, scientific theories, and knowledge transfer. The specifics of the curriculum are not yet available, but the presumption is that teachers would be free to use systems with which they are most comfortable to illustrate each of the principles above within the framework provided by the four main areas to be taught. The intent is to be able to use a basic approach that may be applied to novel situations, as opposed to an emphasis on learning "facts".

Although the conference may have been more valuable for new teachers of AP, the information presented verified what veteran teachers already know. Even though resources are not scarce, many new tools were presented that can enhance an AP curriculum. "Flaws" in the exam were discussed and difficulties with the prescribed labs were addressed.