Do you know what scientists do all day? Or what it's like to discover a fundamental "Law of Life," such as the principles of heredity and genetics? These are some of the issues addressed by "Science at a Distance," a dynamic new web site at Brooklyn College which offers Biology students interactive course material via the World Wide Web.

"Science at a Distance", the brainstorm of BC's Professor John Blamire, Ph.D., is designed to complement other Core Biology resources and provide another way to view course material. The site is organized in a series of modules: lecture modules, laboratory modules, and background information. It also provides mock exams, and the material needed to answer the optional questions given on the final exam.

Professor Blamire created this web site in order to present a more active approach to learning. He broke tradition by fictionalizing the story of Gregory Mendel, the Augustinian Monk who discovered the principles of genetics. "Brother Gregory," is a semi-fictional character who helps the reader understand the nature of science. On the web, students have the opportunity to act as research assistants to him. Scattered throughout are "investigations" in which the students are asked to help Brother Gregory research a problem; they can also view "simulations" that recreate subjects ranging from "Sore Feet and the Weather" to "Sausage Skins and Molecular Weights." Gregory asks a question, and the student answers based on data from his/her own experiment. "This type of investigation works like glue, fixing information in the mind." Professor Blamire states. Beyond this, the site also puts science into a broader context by providing links to other relevant data.

More attractive and flexible than the traditional textbook, the site is alive with images and colorful animation, bringing to life the often dry and invisible world of textbook science. For example, the student views the moving parts of an atom, explores the exponential growth of bacteria with full-color illustrations, or takes a virtual guide through an experiment on the properties of enzymes.

It is the goal of Brooklyn College's Core Curriculum to be both interdisciplinary and complementary. "Science at a Distance" accomplishes this by presenting Biology in a wide-ranging context. For example, a link from the word "Brno" takes the reader to a description of the obscure town where Mendel worked. "You can look at it this way," Professor Blamire adds, "The story is the central trunk of a tree, and the links are the various branches of the tree. These branches can take the reader into the historical background of the period, expand on economic, health or social issues of the day, bring up the ethics of the research, or instruct on modern science." He smiles, "some readers find the branches more interesting than the trunk itself."

Today this technology enables students to experience firsthand a scientific discovery, using the same scientific method that Mendel used in the1800's. Professor Blamire concludes, "This is not abstract knowledge that will be forgotten after the final exam; it is a skill that students will carry with them for the rest of their lives."

These are bold words. But like any good biological phenomena, teaching Core Biology is evolving into an exciting and challenging technique.

"Science at a Distance" is actually very up close and personal and we invite you to visit this site to experience an exciting and innovative look at science today.

To access "Science At A Distance": http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/ahp/SDV2.html

Computers are available for student use in the Biology Department, Atrium and Wolfe Labs, the Library and the Library Café.