Engage and Explore: Carrying Out Small but Publishable Research in the Classroom

Research has shown that for students regardless of gender and race, exposure to research enhances confidence, critical thinking skills, knowledge retention and career outlooks. However, faculty at primarily teaching institutions often lack the time and resources necessary to carry out major research projects. The author has successfully used Drosophila melanogaster in the teaching classroom to engage students in publishable research using the following approaches: (1) Think of what your interests and expertise are in; (2) Research for a small but original project; (3) Outline your expectations for the students regarding the project; (4) Tailor the methodology to what is practical for you and the students; (5) Be enthusiastic about the project and engage yourself; (6) Collaborate and ask for expert opinion whenever needed. We studied the effects of fruits with different pHs on the longevity and fertility of the wild type and various mutants. The project was both simple and original in concept, and allowed the collection of a large amount of data with a relatively small investment of time using commonly available classroom equipment.