Meeting report: an interdisciplinary approach to addressing anxiety in undergraduate active learning biology courses

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, coauthor Katelyn Cooper highlights the meeting reports titled “Meeting report: an interdisciplinary approach to addressing anxiety in undergraduate active learning biology courses.” She explains that anxiety is a common emotional condition marked by feelings of tension, worry, and physical symptoms like restlessness and fatigue.  Among college students, anxiety is the most reported mental health concern and is linked to lower motivation, engagement, and academic performance. Biology students may be particularly affected due to the rigor and competitiveness of their courses, with high anxiety levels contributing to reduced academic success and increased attrition in the field.

Meeting report: an interdisciplinary approach to addressing anxiety in undergraduate active learning biology courses

 

Katelyn M. Cooper, Sara E. Brownell, Elisabeth E. Schussler, Virginia R. Downing, Logan E. Gin, Kelly K. McDonald, Randolph M. Nesse, Carly A. Busch, Benjamin J. England, LaToya Grigler, Samantha A. Maas, Marco Molinaro, Nicole L. Nieset, Amy L. Pate, Jed Rasmussen, Jessica L. Schleider, Amina Y. Simmons, Shawn L. Spurgeon, Cynthia M. Stonnington, and Michael Trobiano

Advances in Physiology Education 2025 49:2, 405-415