Southeast biology professor receives NSF grant

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - A Southeast Missouri State University biology professor was awarded a National Science Foundation grant totalling nearly 500 thousand dollars.

Dr. Margaret Waterman was given the grant dollars to create a collaborative network of faculty from multiple universities who use problem-based learning methods.

Waterman says problem-based learning is teaching that begins with a story.

"The power of it is it creates a real world context. It’s not just in school. It’s not just memorization," Waterman says. "It’s running on the track and having a conversation. It’s sitting over Chinese food and talking about soy sauce. It’s a wide variety of thing like that."

Waterman compares problem-based learning to exercises that are practiced in medical school.

Waterman is the lead researcher in a group of problem-based learning investigators from Southeast Missouri State University, State University of New York Buffalo, Emory University, Spelman College, University of Wisconsin River Falls, University of Delaware, Three Rivers Community College, EMBRLI Consulting and Michigan State University.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

Posted in: biology,education,Margaret Waterman,National Science Foundation,Southeast Missouri State University