Inquiry laboratory activity: investigating the effects of mobile phone on yeasts viability

Abstract

Practical work as observation and experimentation is a vital part of science education. One way to accomplish this aim is applying the inquiry-based learning in laboratory activities. Inquiry enhances the development of scientific skills as well as the learning of the scientific concepts. The inquiry process includes making observations, identifying problems, formulating questions, developing hypotheses, designing and planning experiments, collecting and analyzing data, summarizing results, drawing conclusions and finally communicating the research.
This inquiry laboratory activity use yeasts as a cellular model to determine if the ionizing waves emitted by different types of mobile phones effects on the cell viability. Yeasts are eukaryote cells as humans are. The procedure is easy, and we propose low cost laboratory materials instead of the expensive ones that usual are used in the laboratory activities.
The main learning outcome is that students work as Scientifics, develop scientific skills and realize that the scientific knowledge is based on empiric evidences.
The results that derivate from our inquiry are not conclusive but in the IBL activities, the main objective for students was to design and develop a laboratory activity.