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Why take AP Biology?
AP Biology is an advanced high school science course which is the equivalent of a full year (2 semester) introductory college level biology course. It provides students a chance to build on earlier learning about biology to gain deeper understanding of biological concepts, scientific inquiry, and relationships between the varied disciplines within biology. The course is rigorous, and emphasized critical thinking, data analysis, writing, and laboratory investigations. What about the AP Exam? The AP Biology exam includes 60 multiple choice questions and 6 free response questions. You can earn college credit for the AP Biology exam by scoring a 3 or higher on the exam. Each school may have different criteria for granting credit, so you should check here to find out what the schools you will be applying to require to grant credit. |
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What is the low-down about Storyline Units anyway?
Storyline units are a way of teaching and learning that creates a structure that centers every lesson, activity, and lab around a central story and student developed questions about the story. Storylines have been shown to improve student engagement, improve teacher enthusiasm, and increase student grade and exam performance. But they are really just a fun way to engage with the process of learning science. Say goodbye to the days where each lesson teaches a topic and once it's done you forget about it and move on to the next lesson and topic! Tell me again why we spent all that time in the parking lot counting cars...
Storyline units are a way of teaching and learning that creates a structure that centers every lesson, activity, and lab around a central story and student developed questions about the story. Storylines have been shown to improve student engagement, improve teacher enthusiasm, and increase student grade and exam performance. But they are really just a fun way to engage with the process of learning science. Say goodbye to the days where each lesson teaches a topic and once it's done you forget about it and move on to the next lesson and topic! Tell me again why we spent all that time in the parking lot counting cars...
Why is it called Lab Hamster?
About the same time I was deciding to transition to use storylines with my classes, my family adopted our first pet hamster. We were asking TONS of questions about hamsters to learn how to best take care of our new best friend. What does he eat? Why doesn't he drink very much water? Why is he always collecting his food and hiding it in his burrows? These questions wound up inspiring me to write the Unit 1 Storyline: Survivor-American Southwest. The lessons explore some hamster relatives including rock pocket mice and kangaroo rats that live in the deserts of the American Southwest.
About the same time I was deciding to transition to use storylines with my classes, my family adopted our first pet hamster. We were asking TONS of questions about hamsters to learn how to best take care of our new best friend. What does he eat? Why doesn't he drink very much water? Why is he always collecting his food and hiding it in his burrows? These questions wound up inspiring me to write the Unit 1 Storyline: Survivor-American Southwest. The lessons explore some hamster relatives including rock pocket mice and kangaroo rats that live in the deserts of the American Southwest.
Who is Mr. Pauller?
Noel Pauller is a science teacher with over 25 years of experience who currently teaches AP biology, biology, and STEM in Anne Arundel, MD. Noel earned his M.Ed. in Science Education with a focus on biology, chemistry, and the use of technology in science education. He achieved National Board Certification (NBCT) in 2024 in Adolescence and Young Adulthood-Biology. Noel has extensive experience in curriculum writing, delivering professional development for teachers, and writing for both test development & test prep companies. Noel wrote an original Photosynthesis lab for AP Biology that was recently published in The American Biology Teacher . Noel presented Storylines at the spring 2025 NSTA Conference.
Noel Pauller is a science teacher with over 25 years of experience who currently teaches AP biology, biology, and STEM in Anne Arundel, MD. Noel earned his M.Ed. in Science Education with a focus on biology, chemistry, and the use of technology in science education. He achieved National Board Certification (NBCT) in 2024 in Adolescence and Young Adulthood-Biology. Noel has extensive experience in curriculum writing, delivering professional development for teachers, and writing for both test development & test prep companies. Noel wrote an original Photosynthesis lab for AP Biology that was recently published in The American Biology Teacher . Noel presented Storylines at the spring 2025 NSTA Conference.
*AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board, which was not involved in the creation of, and does not endorse, these instructional materials.
