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Incorporating Biotechnology in the High School Classroom: Professional Development for Biology Teachers
Author(s) -
Bisogno Janet L,
Koroly Mary Jo
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.838.6
Subject(s) - curriculum , session (web analytics) , medical education , professional development , microbiology and biotechnology , engineering , medicine , psychology , computer science , pedagogy , biology , world wide web
Advancements in the biological sciences are increasingly dependent upon biotechnology. Although teachers and administrators support the inclusion of biotechnology in the classroom to prepare students for future careers, lack of school funding and minimal teacher exposure to current biotechnology skills have hindered incorporation. The purpose of this project was to develop professional development (PD) sessions for six life science teachers at one high school, utilizing biotechnology equipment and skills developed during programs offered by UF CPET. During the 2011/12 school year, four PD sessions were delivered during regularly scheduled Professional Learning Community (PLC) time. The activities included pipetting, gel electrophoresis, blood typing, and ELISA. School‐based equipment lockers were developed and contained all required equipment and curriculum materials needed for each activity, modeled after the UF CPET locker program. Lockers were available for check out by the teachers, and classroom assistance was available as needed. Evaluations from teachers indicated that they felt more comfortable incorporating biotechnology into their curriculum. Four teachers utilized the pipetting lab and gel electrophoresis lockers, three used the blood typing locker and one used the ELISA locker. For the current year, a fifth PD session and locker are planned to cover microarrays. Sources of research support included ASBMB and UF CPET.