Can learning molecular biology and genetics be enjoyable? Of course it can. Biologists
know their field is exciting and fascinating and that learning how cells and molecules
shape the living world is extraordinarily interesting. But can students who are not already
inclined towards science also be convinced that learning molecular biology is worthwhile?
For example, students taking biology simply to satisfy an academic distribution
requirement, or ones with previous negative school experiences that made them believe
that science is boring and irrelevant? Is it possible to persuade such students that learning
molecular biology and genetics can be fun?
Of course, one might assert that the role of science educators is not to make learning
fun, but to simply introduce concepts in a clear and coherent manner. However, I would
claim that without motivating students, the amount of comprehension and retention will
be limited. And there is evidence that introductory biology and genetics courses for nonmajors
are far from ideal. For example, a 2008 study using a ‘genetic literacy test’ found
that scores among non-science majors increased only 6% points, from 43 to 49%, after
taking an introductory biology and genetics course (Bowling et al. 2008).

• The Case for ‘Story-driven’ Biology Education

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