Introductory Biotechnology for High School Teachers - UNC-Wilmington

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1 Workshop Dates: June 20-24, 2011 Introductory Biotechnology for High School Teachers - UNC-Wilmington Participants will learn basic scientific concepts and techniques in biotechnology, as well as how to teach these effectively. They will also learn how to integrate biotechnology into the high school curriculum according to the NC Standard Course of Study. Participants will be exposed to an array of topics related to both fundamental science and application of DNA-related aspects of biotechnology, including the following topics: DNA structure and replication Introduction to gene expression and regulation Protein structure and its relation to function Restriction enzymes and their role in recombinant DNA technology Mechanisms of antibiotic resistance Transformation of Escherichia coli Restriction analysis of DNA Molecular biology of gene cloning Current commercial applications of biotechnology Organismal cloning PCR theory and practice Additionally, teachers will have hands-on training in the following practical applications: Growing, storing, and disposing of Escherichia coli in the lab Laboratory biosafety issues Making and sterilizing solutions and media needed for classroom experiments Sterile technique Preparing, handling, and staining agarose gels Classroom preparation for wet labs Using a thermal cycler The Introductory workshop is based on the text Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Third Edition, Helen Kreuzer and Adrianne Massey (2008), provided to participants. Workshop Type: Introductory Biotechnology Workshop Grade Level: High School Teachers

2 Introductory Biotechnology for High School Teachers UNC-Wilmington July 9 - July 13, 2012 This five-day Introductory Biotechnology Workshop for High School Teachers at the University of North Carolina Wilmington is hosted by the Center for Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Dr. Sonja Pyott, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology, from July 9 to 13, Through a blend of lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities (dry and wet laboratory activities), workshop participants will practice and apply various biotechnology skills, including gel electrophoresis, restriction enzyme analysis, PCR, and bioinformatics. Equipped with these new skills, workshop participants will be prepared to implement these techniques in their classrooms. The instructional team includes Dr. Sonja Pyott and Ms. Zoe Welsh. The workshop will be hosted in the state of the art teaching and laboratory facilities in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology at UNCW. Workshop Type: Introductory Biotechnology Workshop Grade Level: High School Teachers

3 Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing with Middle Grades in Mind is a four day workshop designed for participants that teach middle grades Exploring Biotechnology or middle grades Science. Participants in this workshop will learn budget-friendly laboratory exercises to teach Biotechnology skills and effective ways to teach basic concepts. Teachers will be given detailed lesson plans that were developed by two Kenan Fellows, in conjunction with the North Carolina State University Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center and Biogen Idec. The lessons will include an interactive method to teach students the impact of biotechnology on the North Carolina economy. In addition, a series of experiments that mimic the day to day operations found in the Biomanufacturing industry will be shared. Workshop Type: Special Topic Workshop Grade Level: Middle School Teachers

4 Marine Biotechnology: Genetic Tools for Species Identification Duke University Marine Laboratory Molecular genetics has become a routine yet powerful tool, its use spanning virtually all the life sciences. Contemporary media often report scientific findings without explaining how these conclusions have been reached. The overall learning objective of this workshop is to demonstrate how molecular genetics is currently being used to address important questions in biology, environmental sciences, ecology, evolution and forensics. Participants in this workshop will gain hands-on experience doing forensic experiments in the lab to determine the species identity of seafood samples purchased from local markets. Molecular genetic techniques will also be used to distinguish between two species of lionfish currently invading the Western Atlantic. Lectures and discussions will not only emphasize the power of molecular analyses but their limitations as well. Participants will return to their classrooms with the expertise and resources to conduct these hands-on activities in their classrooms and with data sets for their students to analyze. Workshop Type: Special Topic Workshop Grade Level: High School

5 Agricultural Biotechnology: Building a Sustainable Future July 23-27, 2012 Research Triangle Park, NC In the world of the future, agriculture will play an ever more critical role as a source not only for food, but for fuel and other renewable resources. Yet relatively few people outside of farming communities understand how food gets to their plates; and despite the great potential of biotechnology tools to increase yields, make marginal lands usable, and develop new products, there is still widespread lack of public understanding of biotechnology. This North Carolina Biotechnology Center workshop will provide middle school science and agriculture teachers with an overview of modern agricultural technology and agricultural applications of biotechnology. Topics and activities will be linked to the standard curricula for Middle School Science, Exploring Biotechnology, and Exploring Agricultural Science. Instructors will include college faculty, master teachers with prior experience instructing Center workshops, and guest speakers. Teachers will get to: Visit agricultural biotechnology companies in the Research Triangle area and talk with employees about what they do on the job. Hear talks from scientists and growers about their work. Learn how biotechnology is used in agriculture in North Carolina. Practice hands-on classroom activities for students. Explore ways that science and agriculture teachers can collaborate and reach out to other teachers and their communities. Learn to analyze case studies of applications of biotechnology in agriculture. Workshop Type: Agricultural Biotechnology Workshop Grade Level: High School

6 Participants will learn basic scientific concepts and techniques in biotechnology, as well as how to teach these effectively, integrating them with genetics and microbiology topics relevant to the middle school classroom and the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. The activities in this workshop have been designed to have minimal preparation for the teacher, to be inexpensive, and to grab the attention of your students! Participants will be exposed to an array of topics related to both fundamental science and application of DNA-related aspects of biotechnology, including the following topics: DNA structure and replication Introduction to gene expression and regulation Protein structure and its relation to function Mutations Mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics and antibacterial agents Food microbiology Genetically modified organisms Additionally, teachers will have hands-on training in the following practical applications: Growing, storing, and disposing of bacterial cultures in the lab Laboratory biosafety issues Making media needed for classroom experiments Sterile technique Classroom preparation for wet labs Examples of some of the activities planned for this workshop include: Classroom epidemics Testing the effectiveness of antibacterial products DNA extractions in 15 minutes or less Testing food microbiology myths The role of enzymes in cheese production The genetics of tooth decay susceptibility Workshop Type: Special Topic Workshop Grade Level: Middle School