Easy as ABC: Applications of Biotechnology in the Classroom
A three-part professional development workshop series
NWABR and Shoreline Community College’s Amgen-Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Lab Program are partnering on an exciting new three-part series of teacher professional development workshops during the 2012-2013 academic year.
Designed to be taken individually or in series based on your needs and skills!
All workshops will be held at Shoreline Community College in Shoreline, Washington.
Available for All Workshop Participants:
Clock hours, meals, and free access to all lab equipment, supplies and reagents used in these trainings to bring these labs into your classroom!
To advertise this workshop series to teachers:
Download our flier here! (PDF download)
Scroll down for more information about the following workshops:
Workshop A: An Understanding of DNA: Making the Invisible Visible. December 7-8, 2012
Workshop B: Bringing PCR into the Biology Classroom. February 15-16, 2013
Workshop C: Cloning DNA to Make Protein. June 21-22, 2013
Amgen Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Program Workshop. August 1-3, 2013
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A: AN UNDERSTANDING OF DNA: MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE
Friday, December 7, 2012. 4:00 - 8:00 PM
Saturday, December 8, 2012. 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
This introductory workshop is designed for middle school life sciences teachers and high school biology teachers who are new to working with DNA in the classroom. Activities include an introduction to micropipetting and agarose gel electrophoresis (separating molecules based on size), DNA extraction from cheek cells (purifying DNA that you can see), genomic DNA purification from cheek cells (purifying DNA that you can use in an experiment), and using a bioethics case study about how genetic information is impacting medical decisions. Teachers will also learn how to use the freely-available Cn3D program to help students visualize a variety of macromolecules.
No prior experience required.
To apply for Workshop A, "An Understanding of DNA," please complete this application form.
To view the draft schedule for Workshop A, click here: PDF
The workshop includes Lab 1 and part 1 of Lab 8 from the Amgen-Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Curriculum:
- Lab 1: An Introduction to Microvolumetrics and Pipetting
- Lab 8: Genomic DNA Extraction from Buccal Epithelial Cells [i.e., cheek cells]
This workshop also includes Lesson 3 and Lesson 5 from NWABR's Introductory bioinformatics curriculum, "Using Bioinformatics: Genetic Testing":
- Lesson 3: Exploring Genetic Testing: A Case Study
- Lesson 5: Learning to Use Cn3D: A Bioinformatics Tool
Note: For lesson descriptions and accompanying PowerPoint presentations, visit the Introductory bioinformatics webpage and click the "Lessons" tab. http://www.nwabr.org/curriculum/introductory-bioinformatics-genetic-testing
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B: BRINGING PCR INTO THE BIOLOGY CLASSROOM
Friday, February 15, 2013. 4:00 - 8:00 PM
Saturday, February 16, 2013. 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Designed for high school biology, biotechnology, marine biology or chemistry teachers who have experience with micropipetting, DNA extraction, and agarose gel electrophoresis and want opportunities to build on these skills while bringing authentic research experiences into their classrooms. This workshop introduces teachers to DNA barcoding, with activities including DNA purification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in depth usage of agarose gel electrophoresis, and basic bioinformatics skills. Basic skills in micropipetting and agarose gel electrophoresis required.
Prerequisites: Basic skills in micropipetting and agarose gel electrophoresis required.
For example: Participation in the introductory Workshop A (above), “An Understanding of DNA;" NWABR’s Bio-ITEST advanced bioinformatics summer workshop, "Using Bioinformatics: Genetic Research;" the Science Education Partnership (SEP) through the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC); or the Amgen-Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Lab Program held for teachers each summer at Shoreline Community College.
To apply for Workshop B, "Bringing PCR into the Biology Classroom," please complete this application form.
To view the draft schedule for Workshop B, click here: PDF Coming soon!
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C: CLONING DNA TO MAKE PROTEIN
Friday - Saturday, June 21-22, 2013.
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily
Also designed for high school biology, biotechnology, marine biology or chemistry teachers who have experience with micropipetting and agarose gel electrophoresis (i.e. separating molecules by size). Teachers will learn the basic techniques used in DNA cloning which include: using restriction enzymes, ligation, bacterial transformation, protein expression and purification. Teachers will also receive training in bioinformatics and explore ways to infuse science career awareness into their classrooms. Basic skills in micropipetting and agarose gel electrophoresis required.
Prerequisites: Basic skills in micropipetting and agarose gel electrophoresis required.
For example: Participation in the introductory Workshop A (above), “An Understanding of DNA;" NWABR’s Bio-ITEST advanced bioinformatics summer workshop, "Using Bioinformatics: Genetic Research;" the Science Education Partnership (SEP) through the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC); or the Amgen-Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Lab Program held for teachers each summer at Shoreline Community College.
To apply for Workshop C, "Cloning DNA to Make Protein," please complete this application form.
To view the draft schedule for Workshop C, click here: PDF.
For a map of the Shoreline Community College campus, including workshop room numbers and parking lots, click here: PDF.
The workshop includes Labs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 from the Amgen-Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Curriculum.
* Lab 2: Restriction Analysis of pARA and pKAN-R [i.e., plasmid DNA]
* Lab 3: Ligation of pARA/pKAN-R Restriction Fragments: Producing a Recombinant Plasmid, pARA-R
* Lab 4: Confirmation of Restriction and Ligation Using Agarose-Gel Electrophoresis
* Lab 5: Transforming Escherichia coli with a Recombinant Plasmid
* Lab 6: Preparing an Overnight Culture of Escherichia coli
* Lab 7: Purification of mFR from an Overnight Culture
This workshop also includes bioinformatics training in the use of the freely-available programs BLAST (to align DNA and protein sequences) and Cn3D (to view molecular structures) using activities from NWABR's Introductory bioinformatics curriculum, "Using Bioinformatics: Genetic Testing" and NWABR's Advanced bioinformatics curriculum, "Using Bioinformatics: Genetic Research."
Note: For lesson descriptions and accompanying PowerPoint presentations, see the "Lessons" section on the Introductory bioinformatics or Advanced bioinformatics webpages.
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Amgen Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Program Workshop
Shoreline Community College is proud to announce its 7th Annual Amgen Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Program Workshop!
Thursday - Saturday, August 1-3, 2013.
8:30AM - 4:00PM daily [Please note this is a hands on lab course and time may go over.]
Location: Shoreline Community College, Room 2930
Cost: All provided free thanks to the support from the Amgen Foundation
Clock hours will be available, and lunch and snacks will be provided each day.
Who Should Attend?
Middle School Life Sciences Teachers: Day 1: Pipetting, Gel Electrophoresis with dyes, and beginning Transformation
High School Biology, AP Biology, Biotechnology, or Chemistry Teachers: Three Days: Day 1 plus: Restriction Digest, Ligation, Confirmation, Advanced Transformation, Purification of Protein and PCR
The Amgen-Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Lab Program is an educational outreach program that provides equipment, curriculum assistance and supplies to high schools and colleges. The program integrates:
- The excitement of scientific discovery
- Relevant curricula, tools and techniques
- The introduction of a wide range of career opportunities in science
- Hands-on, inquiry-based molecular biology curriculum: Focus DNA, Genes, Traits, Recombinant, Singular Celled organisms.
- Extensive teacher support – assistance with implementation within current curriculum: meetings, classroom visits, email and phone support
Aligned with National and State Science Education Standards, the Amgen Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Lab program supports the goal of achieving scientific literacy through a hands-on approach to learning. The program not only provides a thoroughly tested and robust curriculum, but also provides a full suite of transportable, research-grade equipment and supplies to allow teachers to conduct advanced and contemporary activities within their high school classroom. We are moving our curriculum towards NGSS, with opportunities to see parallels in science fields and opening opportunities for student driven experimentation. (New Curriculum Release: Summer 2013)
In this workshop, participants will learn and practice lab techniques in biotechnology, develop successful instructional strategies for teaching biotechnology, and develop a collegial network for support for teaching biotechnology. Lab activities include: Micropipette Practice, Dye Electrophoresis, Restriction Analysis of Plasmids, Ligation of Restriction Fragments, Producing a Recombinant Plasmid, transformation, purification and PCR of buccal Cells.
Completion of the course allows participants to borrow biotechnology equipment and consumables; everything necessary to run labs in their classrooms.
To learn more about the Amgen Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Lab program, visit: http://www.bwbiotechprogram.com/
For registration, please contact: Adrienne Houck at ahouck@shoreline.edu to register for the program. No application necessary. Spots are reserved on a first come, first served basis.
Updated May 16, 2013.
