28 July – 2 August 2006
Botanical Society of America Annual Meeting
California State University-Chico CA
30 July 2006
Using the Original and Newly Improved Versions of C-Fern® in Inquiry-based Teaching
C-FERN®, a derived strain of the tropical fern Ceratopteris, is a simple and rapidly developing organism that is adaptable to teaching a wide range of biological principles. All stages of sexual reproduction following meiosis take place within a two-week period. During this time, single-celled spores give rise to multicellular male and hermaphrodite gametophytes that produce large numbers of actively swimming sperm. Visualizations of sperm (including chemotaxis), fertilization, and embryo development can be made at 20X or higher. This allows for basic developmental and genetic principles to be introduced to students in a powerful and visual manner. The presence of distinct gametophyte sexual types encourages active student investigations into the basic controls of sexual differentiation. Low expense and easy maintenance, along with rapid development, permit C-Fern to be used successfully under constraints commonly encountered in the classroom/laboratory. For both teaching and student research purposes, focusing on early stages of gametophyte development allows many experiments to be completed in a very short time. A newly derived strain of C-Fern that develops from spore-to-spore in under 65 days will be introduced at this workshop. Successful sporophyte culture of this strain can be readily accomplished in 16 oz. plastic bottles, allowing students to become fully engaged with the entire life cycle over an 8-10 week period. Participants will be provided with and will work with cultures of all stages of the life cycle.
1-4 April 2004
National Science Teachers Association National Convention,
Atlanta, GA
2 April, 4:00-5:30 pm.
Introduction to C-Fern
Sponsor: Carolina Science and Math. Use C-Fern for investigations involving plant growth and development, genetics, population studies, and sexual reproduction by the alternation of generations. Study life cycle stages, sow cultures, and observe sperm release. Participants receive free handout activity packets to take back to the classroom. Door prizes awarded.
Learn to use C-Fern as a user-friendly, inexpensive, easy-to-grow model system for teaching plant development, alternation of generations, and genetics. Come join in the fun in this hands-on/minds-on exploration loaded with activities.
2-4 August 2002
Botanical Society of America Forum on Botanical Education and Outreach, Madison, WI
C-Fern Workshop presented by Stephenie Baxter
18-20 July 2002
Biotechnology 2002 Conference,
Fralin Biotechnology Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
A workshop on using C-Fern in the biology laboratory and for student-initiated independent research activities. The workshop covers culture and manipulation of C-Fern, a detailed examination of gametophyte and sporophyte development, overview of the available mutants, and the setup and analysis of various C-Fern investigations on development, ecology, and genetics.
27-30 March 2002
National Science Teachers Association National Convention, San Diego, CA
Exhibit booth shared with Fast Plants and The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB)
15 March 2002
Research for the Science Connection, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan
C-Fern workshop. Research for the Science Connection is funded by the Eisenhower Professional Development Program through the Michigan Department. of Education.
3 November 2001
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
C-Fern Workshop
Sponsored by Ameritech and Ferris State University
27-28 April 2001
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA
The Teaching of Science: New Approaches
Workshop Title: Exploring Biological Principles with C-Fern
22-25 March 2001
National Science Teachers Association National Convention,
St. Louis, MO
Exhibit booth (#1386) sponsored by The American Society of Plant Physiology ( American Society of Plant Biologists ASPB) 15501 Monona Dr. Bio Rockville, MD 20855-2768 Contact: Brian Hyps Work Phone: (301)251-0560 Fax: (301)279-2996.
This exhibit features instructional materials and ideas reflecting ASPP’s Principles of Plant Biology – Concepts for Science Education. These include colorful, two-sided bookmarks highlighting various types of plants and the seventh principle. The booth will feature two educational programs – Wisconsin Fast Plants (Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison) and C-Fern (University of Tennessee) whose demonstrations will include: how C-Fern can be used in open-inquiry investigations; Seeing Both Sides -understanding haploid and diploid perspectives on genetics using C-Fern; and make-and-take cultures. The Wisconsin Fast Plants program includes classroom experiments to show how changing the environment affects Fast Plants’ growth and development, the new high school manual Spiraling Through Life with Fast Plants, the results of “The Fast Plant and Its Butterfly” pilot project, and a hands-on, take-home experiment.
22 March (Thursday) 8:00-9:30am, Hands-On Workshop Sponsor: Carolina Science and Math (Carolina Biological Supply Co.)
C-Fern: Meet the Expert
Stephanie Baxter, The University of Tennessee
Learn to use C-Fern as a user-friendly, inexpensive, easy-to-grow model system for teaching plant development, alternation of generations, and genetics. Come join in the fun in this hands-on/minds-on exploration loaded with activities.
24 March (Saturday) 12:00-1:00pm, C-Fern: Sex in a Dish Workshop Sponsor: Carolina Science and Math (Carolina Biological Supply Co.)
February 2001
Research Link 2001
St. Leo University, FL
January 2001
C-Fern Workshop
Southwestern University, TX
December 2000
C-Fern Workshop
Ferris State University, MI
25-28 October 2000 National Association of Biology Teachers National Convention and Exhibition
Orlando, FL
Exhibit booth (#420) and Workshop
28 October 2000 (Saturday) 8:30-9:45 am National Association of Biology Teachers National Convention and Exhibition Boca
Hands-On Workshop
Exploring Haploid-diploid Genetics and Biology with C-Fern
Leslie Hickok and Stephanie Baxter, The University of Tennessee
27 October (Friday) 2:15-3:30 pm National Association of Biology Teachers National Convention and Exhibition, Pelican B, Exhibitor Demonstration
C-Fern: Sexual Reproduction in a Dish
Whitney Hagins, Carolina Biological
27-29 October 2000
Research Link 2000 Institute
Hood College, Frederick MD
This Institute will assist faculty members in establishing a research-based curriculum and a foundation for an undergraduate research program. Participants will learn the techniques for using two of the following model systems: C-Fern, Chlamydomonas, Sea Anemone, Blue Plants, Fast Plants.
12-15 August 2000
Research Link 2000 Workshop
Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI
A 2-day workshop on using C-Fern to introduce research-based experiments into introductory biology courses and to promote independent research activities by students. This workshop will cover culture requirements, a detailed examination of C-Fern gametophyte and sporophyte development, an overview of the available C-Fern mutants, and the setup and analysis of C-Fern investigations on development, ecology, and genetics. Attendance at this workshop required submission and acceptance of an application through ResearcLink 2000.
23-26 July 2000
Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) 2000 Summer Institute
(Workshop Series C – The Future of Plant Biology)
Keystone Resort and Conference Center, Keystone CO
22-24 June 2000
CUR 2000 National Conference
The College of Wooster, Wooster OH
A presentation by Research Link 2000 coupled with workshop sessions that will illustrate the use of C-Fern to promote independent undergraduate research. Participants in this double session will learn how to prepare cultures, complete investigations, and analyze data involving gametophyte and sporophyte development, germination, fertilization, chemotaxis, and mono- and dihybrid crosses.
22-24 June 2000
Biotechnology 2001 Conference
Fralin Biotechnology Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
A workshop covering the use of C-Fern in the biology laboratory and for student-initiated independent research activities. The workshop will cover culture and manipulation of C-Fern, a detailed examination of gametophyte and sporophyte development, an overview of the available mutants, and the setup and analysis of various C-Fern investigations on development, ecology, and genetics.
6-9 April 2000
National Science Teachers Association National Convention, Orlando, FL
Exhibit booth sponsored by the American Society of Plant Physiology. Check out our demonstration of basic C-Fern culture, development, and C-Fern sperm chemotaxis. Find out how you can incorporate C-Fern into your biology classroom. Inoculate and take home your own miniculture! We will be co-exhibiting with Wisconsin Fast Plants
27-30 October 1999
National Association of Biology Teachers 1999 National Convention & Exhibition Ft Worth, TX
Exhibit booth. Learn how you can use C-Fern in your classroom and take home your own C-Fern miniculture and see C-Fern sperm chemotaxis in action
12-15 August 1999
Research Link 2000 Summer Institute, Ferris State, MI
An intensive 2-day workshop covering the application of C-Fern in the biology laboratory and for independent research activities. The workshop will cover culture requirements, a detailed examination of C-Fern gametophyte and sporophyte development, an overview of the available C-Fern mutants, and the setup and analysis of C-Fern investigations on development, ecology, and genetics. Attendance at this workshop requires submission of an application — For additional information contact Research Link 2000
24-28 March 1999
National Science Teachers Association – Boston MA,
Exhibit booth sponsored by the American Society of Plant Physiology demonstrating basic C-Fern culture and development and C-Fern Sperm Chemotaxis. Inoculate your own miniculture! We will be co-exhibiting with Wisconsin Fast Plants
19-21 November 1998
National Science Teachers Association – Southern Regional, Birmingham, AL
Short Workshop demonstrating C-Fern Sperm Chemotaxis. The dramatic chemotactic response of C-Fern sperm is an exciting way to integrate chemistry and biology.
29 October 1998
Tennessee Science Teachers Association – Nashville, TN
15-17 October 1998
West Virginia Science Conference, Snowshoe, WV.
Exhibit booth demonstrating basic C-Fern culture and development. Try your hand at spore sterilization!
August 1998
Research Link 2000 Workshop, Carleton College, Northfield, MN
Workshop on using C-Fern as a research-based experimental system in undergraduate biology courses
June 1998
American Society of Plant Physiologists, Madison WI
Pre-meeting workshop and Educational Demonstration Booth – C-Fern: Research in the Classroom
April 1998
National Science Teachers Association – National Meeting, Las Vegas, NV
March 1998
Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative – Instructional Materials Showcase, Charleston, WV
Exhibit of C-Fern materials
December 1997
National Science Teachers Association – Regional Meeting, Nashville, TN
November 1997
Research Link 2000 Conference, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, WI
June 1997
Association for Biology Laboratory Education, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Major workshop: Laboratory Investigations With C-Fern (Ceratopteris richardii)
December 1996
National Science Teachers Association, San Francisco, CA
American Association of Plant Physiologists sponsored presentation of educational activities
August 1996
American Society of Plant Physiology, San Antonio, TX
Educational Demonstration booth: Ceratopteris: A simple model system for teaching and student research.
August 1995
American Society of Plant Physiology, Charlotte, NC
Educational Demonstration booth: Ceratopteris: A simple model system for teaching and student research.
Summer 1995
Association of Southeastern Biologists, Knoxville, TN
ASB Workshop: The use of Ceratopteris, the rapid cycling fern, in teaching plant biology
