Newswise — "After grade school age, students are typically less excited about plants than animals, because plants are not soft and fuzzy," said Diane Husic, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Biology Department at Moravian College. "But I have found that if you get them engaged in hands-on projects involving plants, students become very interested in all the cool things that plants can do. Then they are more willing to be curious about the science."
Husic is a Master Gardener who incorporates aspects of gardening to teach science concepts to her students. "There are some very traditional approaches to using gardening to teach science. Many aspects of soil science include physical components, chemistry, and biology. Plant biology and biochemistry are fascinating from the seed germination process—to photosynthesis—to plant adaptations— to stress, and these topics are more interesting if people get to actually grow plants."
"However, most people are not as fascinated with these "straight" science aspects," Husic continued. "They are however, intrigued by medicinal plants that can be grown. This makes a good introduction into plant biochemistry and discussions on why plants make these types of compounds in the first place. In addition, many medicinal plants are also toxic. Nothing like a discussion on poisons to get people of all ages intrigued about chemistry," she added.
One case study Husic uses is the age-old search for a blue-rose and why one can't be created by traditional horticultural methods which involve genetics, pH and plant pigments (chemistry) and plant structure and processes. "With very sophisticated genetic engineering, it may now be possible to develop such a rose and a group in Australia has claimed success. There is even medieval literature that refers to the quest for a blue rose, so this can be a fun, multi-disciplinary topic with some good demos," Husic said.
Husic has been teaching about growing plants to remediate contaminated areas. The Superfund site in Slatington/Palmerton, Pa. is the case study and allows her to teach about metal toxicity in living organisms, and the interactions between plant and animal species needed to have a healthy and complete ecosystem. She has begun to incorporate many aspects of her "gardening" in her course work at Moravian, "from non-majors—all the way up to my senior biochemistry students."
Husic explains, "Often issues that involve plants include the pros and cons of using pesticides and artificial fertilizers. We often review the history of the Green Revolution, which involves more agriculture than simple gardening—but the lessons learned are relevant. Other big-picture issues involving plants include global climate change (consider for example the story this week indicating that global warming is causing poison ivy to grow more vigorously and more toxic " a problem for all gardeners in this area), sustainable agriculture and the pros and cons of genetically modified crops. Over the past year, I have used guest speakers from The Rodale Institute to talk about organic gardening and the link between agriculture and global warming, and a former computer technician-turned hydroponic vegetable grower in the area to talk about alternative growing technologies and the blight of the local small farmer."
Husic received her B.S. from Northern Michigan University and her Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Her areas of specialization include the biochemistry of photorespiration in the unicellular eukaryotic alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; phylogenetic relationships between alpha-hydroxy acid metabolizing enzymes; regulation of chloroplast gene expression; the social impact of science and technology; and ethical considerations associated with science, technology, and the environment. Husic is a councilor in the Chemistry Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research and involved with special projects with the NCAA. Her research is currently supported through grants from the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation and the NSF-Undergraduate Research Centers program. Recent publications can be found in Reviews in Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology (2002) and at an undergraduate research summit (2003). Husic is co-principal investigator on a National Science Foundation funded study of plant science. The study is exploring photosynthetic organisms that are important sources of industrial and consumer products and serve as model systems for fundamental chemical and biochemical research.
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