The Batrachian Barf Bowl: An authentic research experience using ecological data from frog diets.

ABSTRACT: Authentic research experiences (AREs) are a powerful strategy for inspiring and retaining students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. However, recent demand for virtual learning has emphasized the need for remote AREs that also foster a sense of community and interpersonal connections among participants. Here, we describe an ARE activity that leverages digitized diet data from natural history collections to provide students with collaborative research experience across any learning environment. Using magnified photographs of frog stomach contents collected in the Peruvian Amazon, we designed an open-source "bowl game" competition that challenges students to identify, measure, and compare diet items across vouchered frog specimens ("Batrachian Barf Bowl"). To demon

SUBMITTER: Larson JG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9288929 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature