Summer 2006
Biotechnology Workshop for Teachers
The
UIUC-HHMI Biotechnology Education and Outreach Program (BEOP) is pleased to announce
its Summer 2006 Workshop to be held on campus at the University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). 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 workshop is FREE and housing and meals will be provided. Participants
will receive CEUs from the Illinois State Board of Education.
2006 WORKSHOP TOPIC: BIOINFORMATICS AND GENOMICS FOR THE
HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM
(August 1
– 3) *The
workshop begins at 10am on August 1 to allow for travel*
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 that contain free 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). The workshop will also include
simple hands-on activities that introduce the new concepts of Genomics (gene
chips) and Proteomics (analysis of proteins in an organism).
During
this three-day workshop, participants will learn basic information about
bioinformatics and genomics and will conduct several activities that can be
used in the high school classroom. The workshop will be facilitated by
Dr. Carolyn Zanta and Ms. Kathleen Gabric, a high school teacher from Hinsdale
Central who has successfully used bioinformatics activities in her 9th grade
biology classes for over 5 years. The workshop will include exciting
tours of the UIUC Biotechnology Center and research laboratories that utilize
these technologies.
This
workshop is appropriate for high school and community college educators. 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; http://www.life.uiuc.edu/hughes/footlocker)
Registration Form for BEOP Summer 2006 Biotechnology Workshop
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More
About BEOP Biotechnology 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 15 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. Summer workshops are also
supported by the UIUC Biotechnology Center.
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
Fees and Credits
Course
materials, housing, and meals will be provided to all participants at no
charge. Participants will provide their own travel to the workshop. Participants will receive CEUs from the
Illinois State Board of Education.
For
additional information, contact:
Dr.
Carolyn A. Zanta
427
Natural History Building
1301
W. Green Street
Urbana,
Illinois 61801
217.265.0816
czanta@life.uiuc.edu
www.life.uiuc.edu/hughes/footlocker
Support for BEOP
summer programs provided by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (www.hhmi.org)
and the UIUC Biotechnology Center (www.biotech.uiuc.edu)