Biology is not usually high on the list of life-changing experiences for most students. However most students did not have Lowell Harrison Young as their Biology instructor. Young developed a one-of-a-kind advanced class in biology that dramatically affected the perceptions of hundreds of students and, in many cases, provided a new paradigm that dramatically altered the lives of many of them. 24 years and 700 students later, Young recounts some of these life altering experiences in 'Biodesign Out For A Walk'.
One student and her classmates rightfully and intuitively questioned the validity of memorizing all the parts of a fetal pig, when most of them would likely never have use for that information. When Young opened the door and students were given the chance to discuss what was really important to them, the students opened up and shared hopes, dreams and desires to learn to be more loving, compassionate people.
Over the next 24 years, Young's Biodesign class gave high school students the chance to go into the wilderness and discover the interactions of plants, animals and themselves. Unlike most biology classes, this class was dedicated to studying biology by exercising the illimitable freedom of the human mind and probing the mysteries of the physical, mental and spiritual nature of man.
Following the footsteps of John Muir, they slept on the top of Yosemite’s famous Half Dome and followed Loren Eiseley and John Wesley Powell to the bottom of Grand Canyon. Ed Ricketts and John Steinbeck led them into forests and tide pools of California’s beautiful Mendocino coast.
The book has fifteen 5 star ratings on Amazon. Reviewers have stated, "Your amazing book recounting an amazing set of adventures is too superlative to describe," and, "What you have done for so many students and chaperones is truly remarkable."
'Biodesign Out For A Walk' is a great gift for students in high school or college. Educators could benefit from the unique and engaging stories that might serve to help develop new and exciting approaches to dry subject matters or to help improve attitudes and morale in the classroom.
Lowell Harrison Young is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below, or by email at young.lowell@gmail.com. 'Biodesign Out For A Walk' is available at Amazon, Outskirts Press and Barnes and Noble. A Facebook page is available at http://www.facebook.com/biodesignoutforawalk. More information is available at Young's website at http://biodesignoutforawalk.com.
Profile:
Lowell Young and his wife, Christie, have lived in California’s Napa Valley for over 40 years. Mr. Young taught high school biology for nearly 38 years before he retired. He holds a Masters’ Degree in the art of teaching biology.
The class that evolved into Biodesign was a collaborative, creative project where the roles of teacher and student were often reversed. It was well known by the students that although Mr. Young represented the physical nature of the class, Christie’s silent spiritual guidance was often felt in their classroom circles as well as along the many miles of trails they walked. The Biodesign class may be the only one of its kind taught in a public high school in the country.
Contact:
Lowell Harrison Young
http://www.biodesignoutforawalk.com
young.lowell@gmail.com
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