AP Biology – Audra Brown Ward

This session AP Biology – with Audra Brown Ward is offered IN PERSON during Week 2: June 22-25, 2026 at Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia

Meet your APSI Consultant for AP Biology

Audra Brown Ward is an Upper School Biology teacher at the Westminster Schools of Atlanta, where she teaches AP® Biology and 9th Grade Health. She is a College Board Workshop Consultant and has been a reader and table leader for the AP® Biology exam since 2003. Audra has also led numerous AP® Biology Summer Institutes and one-day workshops and has contributed to various teacher guides and ancillary materials for AP® Biology textbooks. She is currently in the process of writing the next edition of the AP Biology review book, Fast Track to a 5. 

Audra’s commitment to excellence in teaching has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2007 NABT Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for Georgia, and two Westminster awards: a 2021 O. Wayne Rollins Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, and a 2023 William A. Parker, Sr. Mentoring Faculty Award.

A dedicated member of the professional community, Audra served as the Region VI Coordinator for the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) from 2022 to 2024. She is also involved in various organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., The National Science Teachers Association, and the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College. Audra currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Twenty Pearls Foundation, Inc.

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Audra holds a B.S. in Biochemistry from Spelman College and an M.S. in Biochemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

APSI Session Description

This dynamic workshop is designed to empower AP Biology educators with the tools, strategies, and resources needed to effectively teach the AP Biology curriculum. Participants will explore the AP Biology Course and Exam Description and learn how to integrate inquiry-based approaches into their instruction. A highlight of the week is hands-on experience with selected laboratory investigations, including activities that fulfill the 25% lab requirement for the AP Biology course—even in virtual teaching environments. Lab materials will be provided to ensure participants can fully engage in these essential activities.

The workshop includes a comprehensive analysis of the 2025 AP Biology exam, identifying trends in student responses and strategies for enhancing student performance through intentional instructional design. Teachers will have dedicated time to develop syllabi, design lessons, and collaborate on best practices for implementing engaging and equitable learning environments.

Additional topics include completing the digital activation process for access to AP Classroom resources and ensuring students are prepared for the new fall AP Exam registration deadlines. Participants will explore tools such as unit guides, personal progress checks, the AP question bank, and the AP teacher community to enhance their teaching and assessment practices.

By the end of the institute, educators will be equipped to:

• Understand, plan, and teach the AP Biology course effectively.

• Assess student progress and adapt instruction to meet diverse learning needs.

• Align their curriculum with College Board standards and obtain audit approval.

• Prepare students for success on the AP Biology exam.

Join us to connect with fellow educators, deepen your understanding of the AP Biology curriculum, and gain the confidence to create an inclusive, engaging, and high-impact learning environment for your students!