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Ungrading in Plant Biology

General Resources

Useful educational-technology resources

Padlet

A versatile platform for collaboration and showcasing student products.

Canva

Templates for infographics and so much more. Sign up for an educational account for access to more resources.

Course-specific documents

Bio 220 Syllabi
2023 (3cr) | 2025 (4cr)

Major Projects

Semester-long assignment series with periodic deadlines, guided prompts, and/or self-assessment

Mystery Plant

Students received seeds from an unknown common garden plant and tracked development throughout the semester.

Prompts guided observations of diagnostic characteristics. Students identified their plants at the end.

View Padlet

Assignment Sheet

Native Gardening

Students completed two projects related to our on-campus native plant sale. These authentic products required creativity and outside research.

First, students measured possible plot locations on campus and constructed garden plans utilizing species available in the sale.

Second, they created an infographic formatted for social media to encourage citizens to swap a common non-native for a plant available in the sale.

1 - Native Garden Plan

2 - Social Media Post

Example Products

Lab Reports

Specific individual assignments associated with a data-centric lab experience. Self assessed via Google Forms.

Allelopathy & Seed Germination

Student groups make an "herb tea" and use this liquid to water seeds. Seed germination is measured over time in control and treatment conditions. Students also learn through observation about seed structure and germination.

This lab was connected to readings about allelopathy and practice stating hypotheses and predictions, analyzing and interpreting data, and constructing bar figures with error bars.

Pre-Lab Readings

Lab Handout

Self-Assessment Form

Peer-Review Guide

Utilizing Digital Herbarium Specimens

Students use data from digital herbaria to compare abundances of similar native and non-native species overtime. Students can work independently or in pairs on pre-determined topics.

Computer lab using R, but no R experience needed.

After collecting their data, generating figures, and making comparisons, students conduct some individual research to consider reasons for the patterns observed in the data.

Resources on QUBES

Self-Assessment Form

Attract or Defend: Secondary Compounds

Students use published data to compare concentrations of two chemical compounds in different tissues of multiple species of Lupine.

Using MS Excel, students will be guided through data visualization (histograms, boxplots, bar figures) and analysis (ANOVA). Students will make and evaluate hypotheses and do brief individual research to about the observed differences among tissues.

Materials on QUBES

Self-Assessment Form

Antimicrobial Plant Compounds

Students use basic microbiology lab techniques to test the efficacy of various essential oils in preventing bacterial growth. Lab report requires engagement with primary literature and a bar figure with error bars

Note: There are various (and more precise) ways to obtain plant extracts. Contact Dr. Penny for alternative (more time-intensive) instructions.

Lab Handout

Self-Assessment Form

Possible Reading

Assignment Guidelines

Asynchrounous Collaboration

Green Algae Worksheet

Plant Behavior Worksheet

Using structured google docs, mostly empty with pre-filled assignments and check ins, students were responsible for acquiring and sharing information

Community Engagement & Event Planning

We collaborated on an event open to the campus community. Across class sessions, we determined the steps involved, delegated tasks, and hosted an event called "Houseplant 911." The sectioned document linked here was built over time both in and out of class.

Houseplant 911 Planning

Self Assessment

Mid-Semester Conference

Students completed this mid-semester refection and scheduled a short meeting with me to check in about any issues and progress toward the contracted grade.

An opportunity for renegotiation as needed.

Mid-Semester Feedback Form

Final Reflection

The plan for the culminating end-of-semester assignment was determined collectively.

Final Reflection Guidelines

Essential Readings

Ungrading Resource Page

Rebecca H Penny, PhD

Ungrading in Plant Biology

General Resources

Padlet

Canva

Bio 220 Syllabi
2023 (3cr) | 2025 (4cr)

Grade Contracts

Major Projects

Mystery Plant

Native Gardening

Mini Creatives

Final Creative

Lab Reports

Allelopathy & Seed Germination

Utilizing Digital Herbarium Specimens

Attract or Defend: Secondary Compounds

Antimicrobial Plant Compounds

Asynchrounous Collaboration

Community Engagement & Event Planning

Mid-Semester Conference

Final Reflection

Essential Readings

Ungrading in Plant Biology

General Resources

Padlet

Canva

Bio 220 Syllabi 2023 (3cr) | 2025 (4cr)

Grade Contracts

Major Projects

Mystery Plant

Lab Reports

Allelopathy & Seed Germination

Asynchrounous Collaboration

Community Engagement & Event Planning

Mid-Semester Conference

Final Reflection

Essential Readings

Bio 220 Syllabi
2023 (3cr) | 2025 (4cr)