Eric E. Goff

• Biology
• University of South Carolina

This study explored topic interest, perceived learning and actual recall of exhibit content in 979 children and adolescents and 1,184 adults who visited informal science learning sites and interacted with an adult or youth educator or just the exhibit itself as part of family visits to the sites. Children in early childhood reported greater topic i...

The advantages of active learning strategies in the college science classroom have been noted repeatedly throughout recent literature (Freeman et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci 111(23):8410–8415, 2014). However, the introduction of such lessons in a postsecondary environment is typically met with a number of unique challenges such as large class size and a...

Stereotypes about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are associated with reduced STEM engagement amongst girls and women. The present study examined these stereotypes from early childhood through adolescence within informal science learning sites (ISLS; science museums, zoos, aquariums). Further, the study explored whether inte...

This study investigates how social-emotional factors are related to bystanders’ responses to aggression and possible retaliation. Participants consisted of sixth and ninth graders ( N = 896, 52.8% female) who indicated how likely they would be to intervene if they observed an initial aggressive act and then following retaliation. Hierarchical regre...

Background: Recent reports have noted a need for increasing both the recruitment and retention of young people into the STEM disciplines. While many studies have reported on the benefits of classroom reform in formal education environments, less is known about the role of informal education programs in young people’s academic aspirations, interest...

Youth aggression occurs at high rates. Aggressive acts can be curbed through bystander intervention; yet, little is known about school and family factors that predict bystander intervention in response to both aggression and victim retaliation. This research examines school and family factors related to standing up to aggression and intervening bef...

Appendix 1: Assessment instrument on cellular respiration, Appendix 2: Assessment instrument demographic questions

With the recent rise of alternative instructional methodologies such as flipped classrooms and active learning, many core concepts are being introduced outside of the classroom prior to scheduled class meeting times. One popular means for external concept introduction in many undergraduate biology courses is the use of stand-alone online learning m...

The importance of increasing interest in the STEM disciplines has been noted in a number of recent national reports. While many previous studies have focused on such efforts inside of the formal classroom, comparatively few have looked closely at informal learning environments. We investigate the innovative use of technology in informal learning by...

Appendix 1: Assessment instrument on the topic of concentration gradients and their role in ATP synthase activity

Appendix 4: Learning objectives for instruction on concentration gradients and their role in the actions of ATP synthase activity

Appendix 3: 95% confidence intervals for comparison of means between treatment groups

Recent reports calling for change in undergraduate biology education have resulted in the redesign of many introductory biology courses. Reports on one common change to course structure, the active-learning environment, have placed an emphasis on student preparation, noting that the positive outcomes of active learning in the classroom depend great...

Many undergraduate biology courses have begun to implement instructional strategies aimed at increasing student interaction with course material outside of the classroom. Two examples of such practices are introducing students to concepts as preparation prior to instruction, and as conceptual reinforcement after the instructional period. Using a th...

The use of external representations (ERs) to introduce concepts in undergraduate biology has become increasingly common. Two of the most prevalent are static images and dynamic animations. While previous studies comparing static images and dynamic animations have resulted in somewhat conflicting findings in regards to learning outcomes, the benefit...

The common assumption that population sleep duration has declined in the past few decades has not been supported by recent reviews, which have been limited to self-reported data. The aim of this review was to assess whether there has been a reduction in objectively recorded sleep duration over the last 50+ years. The literature was searched for stu...