2023 VISABLI Meeting
In our needs assessments, biology faculty expressed interest in tools that would help them find animations or other visual resources appropriate for their teaching. Biology faculty also expressed interest in materials that teach visual science literacy to undergraduate students. We invite faculty to join us for a one-and-a-half-day meeting to co-design and pilot the use of these materials.
Visual Science Communication Toolkit: Visual Strategies
Workshop instructors Gaël McGill, Jodie Jenkinson, and Stuart Jantzen covered the unique challenges of creating visual narratives in the molecular world. Attendees left with greater insights into the multi-faceted design process involved in the accurate depiction of molecular-scale phenomena.
Educational Resources for the Classroom
A growing list of animations created for use in undergraduate biology classrooms.
Visualizing Different Models for Protein Binding and Interactions
This animation, created by Ariadna Villalbi, includes a series of visualizations that help biology students to understand the difference between the following 'mental models' for how conformation and conformational change drives binding.
The Role of Actin in Cell Motility
This animation by Felix Son attempts to bridge the knowledge gap in undergraduate cell biology students’ understanding of key biological concepts. It explores cell motility by examining the characteristics of the actin cytoskeleton that contribute to cell protrusion, adhesion, and elongation. We also examine mechanisms of the actin cytoskeleton (nucleation, elongation, and steady state) that regulate the dynamics of actin architecture.
The Pathogenic Manipulation of Actin
This animation by Colleen Paris, extends the work of Felix Son by examining the actin cytoskeleton from the perspective of pathogenic invasion. Here we look at Chlamydia, Rickettsia, and Lysteria as 3 examples of pathogens that leverage the structure of actin in order to gain access to the cell, or for motility once inside the cell.
Annotation in Scientific Visualization
While there has been enthusiastic adoption of scientific visualization across various levels of research, there is currently no system in place for vetting the credibility of these representations. Documentation of the visualization workflow and the associated reference material that informs decision-making is central to promoting transparency, and ensuring credibility and reproducibility of research findings.
Co-creation Workshop
We held a co-creation event bringing together members of our three target communities - biology educators, educational psychologists, and instructional designers - to identify and develop shared resources.
Visual Storytelling in Molecular Animation: Accuracy and Design
Workshop instructors Gaël McGill, Jodie Jenkinson, and Stuart Jantzen covered the unique challenges of creating visual narratives in the molecular world. Attendees left with greater insights into the multi-faceted design process involved in the accurate depiction of molecular-scale phenomena.
