Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit

SU biology professor throws convention (and exam answers) out the window Feb. 27

Friday, February 24, 2006, By News Staff
Share

SU biology professor throws convention (and exam answers) out the window Feb. 27February 24, 2006Carol K. Masiclatclkim@syr.edu

Anxious and eager, they assemble outside Lyman Hall for the big moment. Jockeying for position, students gather under the second-story window to participate in one of Syracuse University’s cherished traditions, the BIO 123 exam answer key toss. Professor Marvin Druger opens the window and engages in some playful antics with the students before the main event. Inevitably, someone shouts, “Jump!” Finally, Druger checks the wind speed and direction, and throws sheets of paper down to the students — answer keys to the course exam, taken by hundreds of students in various locations across campus just hours earlier.

A favorite of students past and present, Druger’s answer key toss occurs next at 9 p.m. sharp Monday, Feb. 27, from a window in Room 103 of Lyman Hall.

While it is an unusual way to get exam answers into the hands of students, the toss is effective, according to Druger. “It’s a very efficient way of distributing the answers to the students to let them know what they got wrong and why. This also gives them a chance to discuss the answers with me immediately after each exam.” He believes revealing answers promptly is important, because students lose interest if they have to wait for weeks to get them. “Some students come see me right away,” Druger says. “Some of them even call me at home that night!”

Years ago, answer keys were given out as students left exam rooms. When Druger discovered instances of cheating, he had the students instead assemble outside Sims Hall, where at the time the biology department had offices on the third floor. He was about to walk downstairs to distribute the answer keys personally, but he found the stairwell mobbed with students. Instead ofstruggling to make his way through the crowd, Druger decided to simply throw the answers out the window — and a tradition was born.

After several years of the answer key toss, Druger came up with the idea to share exam answers on a series of “Saturday Night Live”-type programs called “The Bio Answer Show,” which aired immediately after the exam on the student-run campus television station. On the show, he would perform humorous skits, review the answers to the test questions, and conduct a drawing for wacky prizes. The show was discontinued when technical difficulties disabled the broadcast, and Druger resumed the traditional key-tossing event.

The answer key toss serves another valuable purpose — to have fun. Says Druger: “We try to provide students with memorable experiences. When I see alumni years and years later, they don’t ask me questions about the Krebs Cycle, they ask me, ‘Do you still throw answer keys out the window?’ That happens frequently. You forget information, but you don’t forget experiences. What I’m trying to do is provide meaningful and memorable experiences that will stay with you the rest of your life.”

One of SU’s best-known professors, Druger joined the University in 1962. He has taught more than 40,000 students and has been president of three national organizations, including the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest science education organization in the world. Druger has been awarded many honors, including the 2000 Robert H. Carleton Award for National Leadership in the Field of Science Education, the highest award given by the NSTA. He also received the highest award given by the Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE), an international science education organization. Druger was named a Laura J. & L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence at Syracuse University in 1997.

  • Author

News Staff

  • Recent
  • Graduate Students Bring Physics to Local Classrooms With Outreach Program
    Friday, May 27, 2022, By Dan Bernardi
  • COVID-19 Update: Effective Wednesday, June 1, Masking Level Returns to Yellow
    Friday, May 27, 2022, By News Staff
  • Preparing Students for a Life of Success
    Friday, May 27, 2022, By Caroline K. Reff
  • Alumni Draw on Their Military Experience in Their Roles as Teachers
    Thursday, May 26, 2022, By Martin Walls
  • Bringing ‘CSI’ Into the Classroom
    Thursday, May 26, 2022, By Dan Bernardi

More In Uncategorized

“Syracuse University to rename the Carrier Dome – what name would fans choose?”

Beth Egan, associate professor of advertising in the Newhouse School, was quoted in the CNY Central story “Syracuse University to rename the Carrier Dome – what name would fans choose?” Egan, who specializes in strategic communications and advertising, discussed why…

Syracuse Views Spring 2022

We want to know how you experience Syracuse University. Take a photo and share it with us. We select photos from a variety of sources. Submit photos of your University experience using #SyracuseU on social media, fill out a submission…

“Can the Working Class End PMC Environmentalism?”

Matthew Huber, professor of geography and the environment in the Maxwell School, was interviewed for the Diet Soap Media Podcast episode “Can the Working Class End PMC Environmentalism?” Huber, who studies climate politics, discussed his new book that unpacks the failures…

Breen authors piece on Samuel Alito

Jenny Breen, associate professor of law in the College of Law, authored the Common Dreams opinion piece “The ‘Raw Judicial Power’ of Samuel Alito Is an Attack on Dignity, Autonomy, and Progress.” Breen, who teaches Constitutional law, discussed the leak…

“Governors Island’s New Orchard Is a Treasure Trove of Rare Fruits”

An art installation created by Sam Van Aken, associate professor of studio arts in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, was featured in the Thrillist story “Governors Island’s New Orchard Is a Treasure Trove of Rare Fruits.” Van Aken, who…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2022 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.