The C.R.E.A.T.E. (Consider, Read, Elucidate the hypotheses, Analyze and interpret the data, and Think of the next Experiment) method is a new teaching approach that uses intensive analysis of primary literature to demystify and humanize research science for undergraduates. Our goal is to use the real language of science—the journal article—as an inroad to understanding “who does science, how, and why?” At the same time, we wish to help students (1) experience authentic processes of science, in particular discussion/debate about experimental data and their interpretation (including ‘grey areas’), (2) recognize the creativity and open-ended nature of research, and (3) see the diversity of people who undertake research careers (i.e. not just the genius/geeks of popular culture). As a complement to teaching based on textbooks, which tend to oversimplify the research process, C.R.E.A.T.E. teaching focuses on on authentic published work--peer reviewed journal articles—with students reading either series of papers produced sequentially from individual labs or series of papers from different labs focused on a single line of research. Read more..
Welcome to C.R.E.A.T.E.
Our Workshops
We are recruiting faculty for upcoming workshops for June of 2012. Workshops will be held at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY. For more information...
Faculty Resources
In this method, students read and analyze primary research articles as part of a learning module. To see examples..
Student Voices
"The traditional way, science is like a set-up. Somebody has already set it up. And you are limited in your thinking. You go along those lines. They tell you, “do this, do that, do this, do that”... This [CREATE] way, you don’t do that. You think wider, on a broader level....you don’t limit yourself to whatever the book or some professor is telling you". More..