Summer 2004 BEOP Workshop

Summer 2004 Biotechnology Workshops for Teachers

The UIUC-HHMI Biotechnology Education and Outreach Program (BEOP) is pleased to announce its Summer 2004 Workshops to be held on campus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). All workshops are FREE and housing and meals will be provided. Workshops will include content-area lectures, hands-on activities, and tours of UIUC facilities. These workshops are tailored for the high school Biology classroom, including Agricultural Science (the DNA Basics workshop covers topics appropriate for Grades 6-8). Housing and meals will be provided. Participants will receive CEUs from the Illinois State Board of Education.

WORKSHOP 1: DNA Basics

(June 29; 10 am ~ 5 pm)

In this one-day workshop, participants will learn basic information about DNA structure and function. What is a genome? What is the relationship between chromosomes, DNA, and genes? We will carry out several activities that you can use in your classroom. Activities will include DNA isolation from your own cells, DNA isolation from fruit, and a variety of DNA models (3-D, paper, and kinesthetic). These activities do not require specialized equipment or supplies. The day will include a tour of a UIUC research laboratory that conducts studies of DNA. This workshop is appropriate for junior and senior high school educators.

WORKSHOP 2: DNA Basics, DNA Fingerprinting, and Genetically Modified Organisms

(June 29 – July 1) *Class Times: June 29 10am ~ 5pm; June 30 & July 1 9am ~ 5pm)

DNA Basics (see description above)

DNA Fingerprinting:

How do the police solve crimes using DNA evidence? In this three-day workshop, you will learn the basics about DNA fingerprinting, the process of identifying differences in DNA sequences. Hands-on activities will include using a micropipette, digestion of DNA with restriction enzymes, and electrophoresis of food colorings and DNA, as well as paper DNA activities. The workshop will include a tour of a UIUC research laboratory that utilizes DNA fingerprinting techniques. Illinois teachers who complete this workshop will be able to borrow BEOP equipment and expendable supplies to carry out these experiments in their classrooms.

Genetically Modified Organisms:

Genetic engineering affects all of our lives, from GM crops to cloned animals. Participants will learn about genetic engineering of plants and animals. Hands-on activities will include transformation of bacteria with a gene from jellyfish, which will make the bacteria glow in the dark. The workshop will include tours of UIUC laboratories that utilize genetically modified plants and animals. Illinois teachers who complete this workshop will be able to borrow BEOP equipment and expendable supplies to carry out this experiment in their classrooms.

WORKSHOP 3: Bioinformatics

(August 10 – 11) *Class Times: 10am ~ 5pm August 10; 9am ~ 4pm August 11)

Do you wonder how scientists can make sense of the BILLIONS of nucleotides in the human genome? How do they determine what is a gene and what is “junk”? A large part of this research involves using computers to analyze the sequence of nucleotides, in a process called Bioinformatics. Anyone can search the public genome databases with information on the DNA sequences from hundreds of organisms. Bioinformatics activities are easily carried out in the upper-level biology classroom because they only requires computers with an internet connection. No software is required (except an internet browser such as Netscape or Explorer).

During this two-day workshop, participants will learn bioinformatics basics and conduct several activities that can be used in the high school classroom. The workshop will include an exciting tour of the UIUC Biotechnology Center, which carries out DNA sequencing and bioinformatics. Participation is suggested for teachers of upper-level biology courses who have a good understanding of DNA. Because this is a computer-based workshop, participants must be comfortable using computers and internet applications.

To register for any of these workshops, please follow the link below for the registration form. Spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Participants will be contacted via email upon acceptance into the workshop. Contact Dr. Carolyn Zanta for additional information (czanta@life.uiuc.edu; 217-265-0816; www.life.uiuc.edu/hughes/footlocker)

Registration Form for BEOP Summer 2004 Biotechnology Workshops

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More About These Workshops:

Biotechnology is among the fastest-growing and most controversial areas of science. These biotechnology workshops for high school biology teachers will offer hands-on laboratories similar to those used in biotechnology research. For over 13 years, under the prior leadership of Dr. George Kieffer, our program has been providing workshops for teachers throughout Illinois.

These experiences will prepare teachers to integrate biotechnology into their high school biology or agricultural sciences curriculum. Equipment and supplies to carry out the laboratories in the classroom will be loaned to Illinois teachers who have successfully completed the DNA Fingerprinting and GMOs workshops.

The workshops are being offered by Dr. Carolyn Zanta, Director of the UIUC-HHMI Biotechnology Education and Outreach Program (BEOP). BEOP is part of the Howard Hughes Precollege Science Outreach Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, funded by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Workshop Objectives

· Participants will learn basic biotechnology laboratory techniques and safety.

· Participants will be exposed to cutting-edge biotechnology research being conducted at the UIUC campus.

· Participants will develop teaching strategies for integrating biotechnology topics and laboratories in their high school science curriculum.

· Participants will prepare and implement a curriculum plan for teaching biotechnology to their students.

Workshop Overview

· Hands-on biotechnology laboratories

· Discussions of biotechnology issues

· Exciting classroom activities

· Daily scientific lectures by UIUC scientists and other experts

· Tours of the UIUC Biotechnology Center and other research facilities

· Addresses Illinois State Science Goals 11A, 12A, 13A, and 13B

Fees and Credits

Course materials, housing, and meals will be provided to all participants at no charge. Participants will receive CEUs from the Illinois State Board of Education.