Plasmids exist in bacteria and are small, extrachromosomal pieces of DNA that often encode accessory genes such as antibiotic resistance genes. They are largely responsible for spreading antibiotic resistance genes through bacterial populations via their ability to conjugate into different bacterial hosts or species. In environments without…

The major purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the past in order to understand the complex phenomenon of students engaging in science (Newman, Ridenour, Newman, & DeMarco, 2003) specifically through the oral histories of six self-identified African American males enrolled in a high school Advanced Placement Biology class and the…

Providing equitable learning opportunities for all students has been a persistent issue for some time. This is evident by the science achievement gap that still exists between male and female students as well as between White and many non-White student populations (NCES, 2007, 2009, 2009b) and an underrepresentation of female, African-American,…