BioBeyond

BioBeyond is centered on the compelling question of how to find life in the universe. The course engages students with simulations and real-world problem-solving activities as they learn everything included in standard first-year biology.

Smart Sparrow won the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Next Generation Courseware Challenge to help college students from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds succeed in traditionally difficult courses. SRI International found significant improvement in learning outcomes for students using BioBeyond.

BioBeyond won the gold e-learning award from Reimagine Education.

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Inquiry and project-based, active learning/learning by doing, case studies

AUDIENCE: College students and instructors at community colleges and universities

EMPLOYER: Smart Sparrow

ROLE: Performed instructional/learning experience design, interaction design, asset curation, LMS building, content writing, quality assurance, continuous improvement, and collaborated with subject matter experts (SMEs)

BioBeyond Home Screen

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Inquiry-based Active Learning

BioBeyond promotes active and personalized learning.

Textbook Replacement

BioBeyond is a very reasonably priced alternative to a traditional textbook ($40). It's a lot more fun too.

Units Are Full of Explorations

In unit 2, World Biodiversity Expedition, students search the world for life, learn to make scientific observations, and group the organisms they find (see this in portfolio home for a deep dive).

VIDEO: Watch DNA Builder In Action

Click to watch. For a deep dive into this learning experience, see its listing on the portfolio home page.

The Third Unit Explores Genetics

Students learn how life became so diverse.

The Eight Unit Is a Mission to Mars

In this unit, students learn basic human biology and physiology through a game where they send astronauts to Mars.

Mission to Mars Detail Example

The crew needs more oxygen.

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Independent Research Evaluation of BioBeyond By SRI

Students who use BioBeyond have improved learning outcomes and a better grasp of scientific thinking compared to those who take standard Bio courses.

Instructors Rave about BioBeyond

We performed extensive user testing with college instructors in designing BioBeyond. Teachers and students love it.

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