Piecing Complement Together with LEGO Bricks: Impacts on Interest, Confidence, and Learning in the Immunology...

Area of Science:

• Immunology Education
• Molecular Immunology
• Complement System

Background:

• Teaching complex molecular cascades, like the complement system, presents significant challenges for students in immunology.
• The complement system involves three distinct activation pathways and multiple effector functions, making visualization difficult.
• Tangible modeling activities can enhance conceptual understanding, confidence, and interest in complex scientific material.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel learning activity using LEGO bricks to illustrate complement pathway activation and membrane attack complex formation.
• To investigate the impact of this LEGO-based activity on student learning and confidence in both introductory and advanced immunology courses.

Main Methods:

• Development and implementation of a LEGO brick-based activity demonstrating the classical, lectin, and alternative complement pathways.
• Assessment of student learning through examination questions focused on the complement system.
• Evaluation of student self-reported confidence and perception of the learning activity.

Main Results:

• The LEGO activity significantly improved learning outcomes for students in an introductory immunology course.
• Students in an advanced immunology course showed significantly higher self-reported confidence after completing the activity.
• A majority of students across both courses reported enjoyment and increased interest in the complement system due to the activity.

Conclusions:

• LEGO-based modeling is an effective tool for enhancing learning and engagement with complex immunological concepts like the complement system.
• The activity demonstrates differential effects on learning versus confidence depending on prior student knowledge.
• Tangible learning aids foster positive student perceptions and can increase interest in challenging scientific topics.