title: Danio rerio in K-12 classrooms: sparking interest in the new generation of scientists.
abstract: Zebrafish are ideal for experimental studies in the classroom because, in contrast to chicks or mammals, fish embryos are relatively easy and inexpensive to maintain, and embryonic development can be observed with common classroom equipment. The eight student-developed laboratory exercises described here have been used by students in Neuroscience Research at Sidwell Friends School. This course uses zebrafish as a vertebrate model to study genetics, development, behavior, neurobiology, regeneration, learning, and memory. The students develop protocols through collaboration with the teacher and scientists in specific fields. Through individual research, students develop and perform their own experiments, formulate and test hypotheses, learn basic laboratory and microscopy techniques, collect and analyze data, read original scientific literature, and collaborate with prominent zebrafish researchers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Science, Sidwell Friends School, 3825 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA. fieldsm@sidwell.edu
authors.forename: Melanie C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fields
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adelfio
authors.forename: Daniyal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Esch
authors.forename: Florencia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Foxley
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Jordan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Kyle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hearing
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heyward
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McElroy
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morin
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nicoletti
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Over
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: Ariana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spiliotes
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tam
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001695:Biology / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D005178:Faculty; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students; D015027:Zebrafish