Non-Science Majors are Excited About Biology with Virtual Labs at American University of Bahrain

Dr. Perla Atiyah is an Associate Professor teaching Introductory Biology at the American University of Bahrain to about 30 students. Since her students are majoring in subjects other than science, it’s challenging to get these students excited about biology, but Labster has helped her do just that. Dr. Atiyah originally implemented Labster during the pandemic but has found that it’s helpful as a supplemental resource in the classroom. After initial success with biology, the University is planning to equip its chemistry and physics teachers with Labster, too.

Labster simulations used:

Introduction to Food Macromolecules 

Osmosis and Diffusion: Choose the right solution for an intravenous drip

Cell Structure: Cell theory and internal organelles

Pigment Extraction: Use photosynthesis to produce biofuel and reduce pollution

Mendelian Inheritance: From genes to traits

Evolution: Taxonomic tree of life

An interview with Dr. Perla Atiya

Positive student feedback

“I've had students come up to me and tell me that they're having fun. They don't feel like it's a tedious assignment and they're actually looking forward to the next lab. As an educator, that's what you want to hear. It's encouraging and refreshing. Especially for me, for non-science majors to come and tell a biology professor, ‘we love this, this is fun, this is interesting,’ it's great. It really does improve the students' learning experience. Happy student, happy teacher.“

Integrates with LMS

“What's really convenient about Labster is that I can upload it on Canvas, assign it to them, and they can do it at their own pace. Sometimes they can go through it and have no problem, other students may need more time, and they get that because it's a homework assignment, so it's convenient in that way.”

Developed for students and teacher

“During COVID, I was desperate to find something because I was creating my own online labs for them, but I'm not a graphic designer or a computer scientist. When I found Labster, it was a relief because it was so comprehensive and it was developed from the perspective of both student and teacher. So it was obviously the clear choice for us as a department.”

A virtual lab for every topic and chapter

“What I appreciate about Labster is the fact that every topic, every chapter that I cover has a complementary lab. I never run out of options as far as choosing a lab that goes with that week's topic. And so whatever I'm doing in the classroom is being reinforced in the lab, and it's perfectly aligned.”

Students stay safe, labs stay clean

“There's no lab setup, there's no lab cleanup. . The first thing you teach students is laboratory safety. There's no risk here. There's no harm that could ever happen because it's all virtual.”