In January 2005, educators and researchers from Indiana, Maryland, and Kentucky gathered to explore the physiology and anatomy of the sense of taste. The Frontiers in Physiology LST Training Institute not only allow participants to explore one of our most important senses, but also to learn to use the Project WISE (Web-based Inquiry Science Environment) website, which provides an interactive, online environment for inquiry-based teaching and learning ( http://wise.berkeley.edu)

Participants included members of the Indianapolis Local Site Team  (C. Subah Packer, Sandi Mahl, William White, Rachel Gillis, Linda Dearth-Monroe, Robert Yost) as well as other Indianapolis researchers (Richard Friedman and Larry Garetto). Instructors for the Training Institute were: Jeff C. Falcone, Associate Professor, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Health Sciences Center, University of Louisville; Margaret Shain, Middle School Teacher, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, New Albany, Indiana; Kathleen Kelly, K-12 Programs Coordinator and Marsha Lakes Matyas, Director of Education Programs, The American Physiological Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

In the interactive, online unit, It’s a Matter of Taste, students explore the sense of taste from the perspective of both anatomy and physiology. The unit utilizes online content resources (readings, graphics and photographs, and animated videos), hands-on laboratory activities (including inquiry-based activities) along with interactive student activities (brainstorms and online poster sessions). The resulting unit addresses both content and process objectives linked to national science education standards.

Specific objectives for the Training Institute were to:

• Build LST members’ understanding of how to effectively present “It’s a Matter of Taste” in a professional development workshop
• Increase LST members’ comfort and agility in using the Project WISE site
• Build LST members’ understanding of the Frontiers in Physiology program and the Local Site Team model; and
• Provide opportunity to move planning forward for the LST’s plan

Evaluation data from of the Training Institute suggest that these objectives were met and, as a result, the LST has moved forward in using the Project WISE site and the taste unit in workshops for teachers in the regional area.