Poster: Education

Abs # 9: A Workshop for High School Teachers on an Educational Kit for Instructional Use on Agricultural Biotechnology

Presenter:	DeNoia, Michael G., Indy700@Excite.com
Authors	DeNoia, Michael G. (B)   Johnson, Jeffrey C. (C)   Stevens, Gregg R. (C)   Longo, Chip  (A)   Jamison, Chris  (D)   Kausch, Albert P. (A)
Affiliations:	(A): life edu.org (B): New London High School (C): South Kingstown High School (D): University of Rhode Island

An educational module on agricultural biotechnology has been developed as a kit for high school teachers to assist the process of conveying information on this topic. Presentation of this kit provides the background for discussion on diverse topics on agricultural biotechnology. The module includes ten lesson plans with hands-on learning oriented activities relevant to this topic. The lesson plans come with prepared Powerpoint lectures on a CD that accompany each class of this module. The lectures are presented with 20-30 slides each and cover the following topics: 1) What is Agricultural Biotechnology: An Introduction. 2) What is DNA? How are genes cloned? How is this technology used in Agriculture? 3) Techniques of Traditional Plant Breeding and Modern Biotechnology 4) Agricultural Biotechnology, Food, Food Safety and Human Health 5) Agricultural Biotechnology and Environmental Issues 6) Agricultural and the Global Food System 7) Who Controls and Regulates Agricultural Biotechnology? 8) Agricultural Biotechnology and Issues in the Media 9) Values and Choices, and 10) The Public’s Role in the Biotechnology Dialogue. A learning oriented activity has been developed to demonstrate a comparison between crop seeds that have been genetically modified and seeds produced by traditional breeding methods. The genetically modified seeds are resistant to the herbicide Round-up. Each student compares the growth and development of these seeds into plants demonstrating their equivalence until they are treated with the herbicide. This experience should be the basis for significant discussion. Other relevant learning-oriented classroom projects are discussed. This kit serves as a model for additional kits on other biotechnology topics.