ISB News

‘Invisible Forest’ Curriculum

By Claudia Ludwig
Baliga Lab Education Program Manager

The past nine days have been exciting for the Baliga Lab. Dr. Anne Thompson and I have been working with eight teachers to begin the process of translating Anne’s oceanography research on the Invisible Forest into curriculum that offers a hands-on, engaging experience for high school students. The group developed the framework and drafted lessons that will PD5A8967be field tested this year. The two weeks of lessons bring together biology, chemistry, physics, math, engineering and art to guide students through a problem-based exercise that relies on big data, technology and art to better share information. The group will expand and continue to work together over the next two years of this collaborative project between ISB and Portland State University.

2016 Summer Invisible Forest Team of Educators:

  • Amanda Cope; Science and Math Teacher at Leaders in Learning, Monroe School District, WA
  • Barb Steffens; Biology Teacher at Shorecrest High School, WA
  • Emily Borden; Biology and Horticulture Teacher at Eastlake High School
  • Jeannine Sieler; Chemistry Teacher at Bellevue High School, WA
  • Mari Herbert; Biology, Oceanography, and Chemistry Teacher at Lynden High School, WA
  • Mark Buchli; Physics and Chemistry Teacher at Liberty High School, WA
  • Michael Walker; Biology Teacher, Olympic High School, WA
  • Uzma Khalil; Chemistry Teacher and Examination Officer, Al Arqam Academy Doha, Qatar

Learn more about Systems Education Experiences

Recent Articles

  • 2024 Year in Review

    Reflecting on the past year, ISB has a lot to celebrate: groundbreaking research published in leading scientific journals, well-earned promotions, widespread media coverage, and more. Enjoy our year-in-review roundup highlighting some of the important, interesting, and impactful highlights of 2024.

  • My Digital Gut

    ISB Named Winner of 2024-2025 Amazon Web Services IMAGINE Grant for Nonprofits

    ISB has been selected as a winner of the 2024 Amazon Web Services (AWS) IMAGINE Grant. The grant will support ISB’s continued development of My Digital Gut, an online decision-support platform that will help make microbiome-informed nutrition and healthcare personalized, predictive, and preventive. 

  • ISB-Developed MetaboCore Offers Precision Cancer Care Faster Than Ever 

    ISB Associate Professor Dr. Wei Wei and his colleagues have developed a promising new companion diagnostic tool called MetaboCore to help physicians quickly select the most effective systemic therapy for each cancer patient.