Project Related:

Educational Resources

  • Teacher Workshops

    Grade: 6-12
    Resource: courses focused on basic genetics, genome science and/or biotechnology

  • Museum Exhibits

    Grade: Public
    Resource: "Stem Cells and You" traveling exhibit explores the science of stem cells, current and potential medical applications, and ethical issues.

  • Films, Videos, & Multimedia

    Grade: 6-12
    Resource: activities, quizzes, and animations on: DNA structure, Transcribe & Translate a Gene, How Proteins Function, Inside a Cell, Genetic Disorders, Biotechniques Laboratory, Stem Cells, Pharmacogenomics, Cloning

  • Curricula/Literature

    Grade: 6-12
    Resource: basic genetics, genome science and/or biotechnology

institution image

Genome Science for Health: Web-Based Curricula for Biology, Phase I & II

Grant Code: R25RR023288

Funding Years: 09/15/2006 - 06/30/2011

Institution: University of Utah

Department: Genetic Science Learning Center

Address:
75 South 2000 East
Salt Lake City, UT, 84112

PI:
STARK, LOUISA,
Phone: (801) 585-0019
Fax: (801) 585-9557
Email: louisa.stark@utah.edu

URL: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu
Audience

High school students and teachers; public

Subjects Addressed

Cell signaling, developmental biology, stem cells, molecular genetics, animal research, clinical trials, bioethics.

Project Description

GOAL 1: Educate secondary-level students about the role of NIH-funded basic research, translational science, and clinical trials in improving health care. Objective 1: Develop and produce four web-based curriculum supplement modules on cell biology, developmental biology, molecular genetics, and clinical trials. Objective 2: Widely disseminate the Genome Science for Health curriculum supplement modules via the Genetic Science Learning Center website (http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu). Objective 3: Market the Genome Science for Health curricula to appropriate audiences. GOAL 2: Engage secondary-level life science teachers in learning about the Genome Science for Health module topics and in drafting the curriculum supplement modules. Objective 1: Recruit two 2-year cohorts of 15 teachers each for Master Teacher Programs, with a focus on recruiting diverse teachers and/or those who teach diverse students. Objective 2: Conduct four, 5-day summer institutes with the Master Teachers, during which they learn about a module topic and draft classroom activities for it. GOAL 3: Prepare teachers to use the Genome Science for Health curricula through professional development courses and workshops at the local, regional and national levels. Objective 1: Present at least 15 dissemination workshops in venues across the country. Objective 2: Hold a 5-day summer institute in Year 5 for 22 teachers from across the US. They will experience the curricula and prepare to present workshops for colleagues. Objective 3: Support the summer institute teachers in presenting workshops for colleagues.

Resources for Sharing

Amazing Cells educational materials address cell structure, function and signaling. Include 3-D movies, interactive animations, and classroom activities. Appropriate for middle and high school. Available soon at http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/basics/.

Dissemination Strategies

1. Learn.Genetics website (http://learn.genetics.utah.edu)-Educational materials developed as part of the Genome Science for Health project will be disseminated via this site. 2. Workshops for teachers-Workshops will introduce teachers to the materials after they are produced and provide opportunities to experience using them.

Abstract

The Genetic Science Learning Center (GSLC) at the University of Utah will utilize its synergistic expertise in education, science, and technology to educate secondary-level life science students and teachers about the role of NIH-funded research advances and clinical trials in improving health care. The Genome Science for Health project will develop four Web-based curriculum supplement modules-on cell biology, developmental biology, molecular genetics, and clinical trials-that illustrate the continuum from basic research through translational science to clinical trials and into medical treatments. Regenerative medicine and animal research also will be addressed. The modules will employ interactive learning in a highly visual environment, an approach designed to appeal to the tech-savvy, digital-age students of today. At the same time, they will clearly address content in the national science education standards, ensuring that they are used by teachers. Two cohorts of teachers will participate in summer institutes, working with the GSLC staff to draft the modules, which will be developed using the GSLC's new, innovative Exploragraphic- Web design and Exploragraphic- Web-based curriculum development process. Formative feedback throughout the process from students, teachers, and scientists will help to direct module development from initiation through pilot testing in classrooms and revision. The modules will be widely disseminated via the highly-visible, award-winning GSLC Web site, which received almost 3.7 million visits in 2005 from students, teachers, and the public. Professional development workshops for teachers and a summer institute will support dissemination of the curricula. The Genome Science for Health project goals are: 1) to educate secondary-level students about the role of NIH-funded basic research, translational science, and clinical trials in improving health care; 2) to engage high school life science teachers in learning about the Genome Science fo Health module topics, and in developing the curriculum frameworks and learning approaches to address them; and 3) to prepare teachers to use the Genome Science for Health curricula with their students, through professional development courses and workshops at the local, regional, and national levels. The Genome Science for Health project will bring a new level of understanding to students, teachers, and the public about the process by which medical treatments are developed, as well as their potential roles in this process as clinical trial participants. Because the clinical trials module will be disseminated via the Web, it will be able to support the community engagement activities of NCRR's Clinical and Translational Science Awards across the United States.

Keywords

secondary student, life science, high school teacher, clinical trial, health care, cell biology, developmental biology, molecular genetics, regenerative medicine, animal research

Other projects from the same PI:
Other projects from the same PI:
View the Poster as presented at the 2006
SEPA Program Director's Conference

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