Students in Dr. Vanessa Miller-Sims’ AP Biology class recently headed outside, armed with the highest and lowest of tech tools—a smartphone and a hula hoop—to gather data about biodiversity on the San Domenico campus. Working in small groups, the students scattered near the creek, on a grassy knoll, and under a grove of oak trees to collect plant and insect data. The students laid the hula hoop on the ground to define a ‘microhabitat,’ and used their smartphones to identify and count each species within the area of the hoop. 

“What I think is really cool about this experiment,” says Dr. V., as she is affectionately called, “is that when you first look at your hoop area, it might just look like green grass. But as you start observing more closely and identifying the species, you see that there are actually many types of plants, some with purple flowers, some with yellow, even two types of clovers. Using apps like iNaturalist, the students use their phones to identify each species in their area and count the individual plants. You’ll find way more species than you might expect.”

After returning to the classroom, the groups entered their data into an equation called the Simpson’s Diversity Index to determine the biodiversity of each section. Once reassembled as a class, the students discussed differences in their data, surprises, and unexpected findings. Finally, Dr. V. concluded the session with discussion and reflection about threats to biodiversity and possible solutions.

“My goal in teaching AP Biology is not just about taking and passing the test,” remarks Dr. V. “The real value is getting exposure to complex topics. Our students become confident and curious by the time they go to college, having already done complex analytic work here at SD.”

Students share their favorite things about taking AP Biology:

“It’s a special experience to take AP Bio at San Domenico because of our campus. You can walk outside and in three minutes do a field biology experiment.”
Daphne S. ’24

“I like doing labs the best. My favorite lab experiment was taking the GFP gene (green fluorescent protein) from a jellyfish and putting it into a bacteria and making it glow!”
Alice M. ’24

“AP Biology made me gain a more analytical mind, as well as helped me understand more about our natural world.”
Max L. ’25