News Digest
Biotechnology education news published by the Biotechnology Institute
June/July 2009
In this issue:
- Transforming Science Education in America: A Stakeholder Conversation
- A Review of the 2009 Conference on Biotechnology Education
- Resources for Professional Development
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Transforming Science Education in America: A Stakeholder Conversation
Leading stakeholders in the future of science education in the U.S. will gather on July 14 to discuss two recently released reports that are sure to impact this nation's science education agenda for years to come. The basis of the conversation will be The Carnegie Corporation's new report, "The Opportunity Equation," which calls for a national mobilization to achieve higher levels of math and science learning, and "Taking the Pulse of Bioscience Education in America," a report prepared by Battelle in cooperation with the Biotechnology Industry Organization and the Biotechnology Institute, that finds that the U.S. is failing to prepare students for pursuing biosciences in higher education. The meeting will be July 14, 2-4:30pm, AAAS Auditorium, 1200 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC. The registration deadline is July 10. For more information, visit http://www.biotechinstitute.org/programs/educationreport.html.
A Review of the 2009 Conference on Biotechnology Education
The 2009 Conference on Biotechnology Education, held May 15-19 in Atlanta, Georgia, is a unique national meeting for biotechnology teachers, students, and their supporters in the biotechnology industry. The conference offered attendees hands-on workshops, professional development seminars, competitions, networking opportunities, and attendance to the BIO International Convention. A review is offered below.
National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program
More than 90 teacher-leaders from across the country benefited from four days of hands-on professional development sessions, tours of leading biotechnology sites in the area, and admission to the BIO International Convention. The National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program is building a network of thousands of dedicated advisors, or "Teacher-Leaders," committed to teaching biotechnology to students and to serve as a resource for other teachers. Teacher-Leaders are expected to conduct professional development sessions for other teachers at the local, state or national level. For more information, visit the National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program page.
Minority Felllows Program
The Minority Fellows Program paired more than 20 graduate students from underserved populations at colleges and universities with industry Mentors. Mentors and Fellows attended sessions on career development, emerging technologies, and went on field visits to local biotechnology industry and research facilities. All Fellows attended the subsequent BIO International Convention. In addition to building valuable career networks, Fellows learned about the multi-faceted biotechnology industry and discovered new areas in which to apply an advanced science degree. For more information, visit the Minority Fellows Program page.
Genzyme-Life Technologies Biotech Educator Award
Ten teachers were named finalists to the Genzyme-Life Technologies Biotech Educator Award, the nation's premier biotechnology teaching award. First-place honoree Dave Menshew of James C. Enochs High School in Modesto, CA was recognized at the Biotechnology Education Banquet and a keynote luncheon at the BIO International Convention. For a list of the finalists and information, visit the Genzyme-Life Technologies Biotech Educator Award page.
sanofi-aventis International BioGENEius Challenge
Stephen Trusheim, a senior from the Breck School in Golden Valley, Minn., placed first in the sanofi-aventis International BioGENEius Challenge, a competition for high school students who demonstrate an exemplary understanding of biotechnology through science research projects. The 15 finalists for the 2009 BioGENEius Challenge were congratulated in front of a BIO International Convention keynote luncheon audience of more than 2,000. Stephen's project highlights the most cost-effective ways for hospitals to detect MRSA in high-risk patients before they enter hospitals. For a list of the winners and more information, visit the BioGENEius Challenge page.
Biotechnology Education Banquet
Approximately 600 educators, students, policymakers, and leaders from the education and biotechnology community attended the Biotechnology Education Banquet, the signature networking event of the Conference on Biotechnology Education. Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, a nationally recognized leader in education, delivered the keynote address and shared his passion for the importance of science education reform to the future of the United States.
Resources for Professional Development
Visit the Biotechnology Institute website to purchase these valuable teacher resources:
Genome: The Secret of How Life Works
A teacher's resource guide that's a vital reference tool on genomics for biotechnology teachers of all levels of experience and expertise! Click here for info: http://www.biotechinstitute.org/resources/genome.html
Biotechnology: A Comprehensive Curriculum Guide
A manual for high school and community college educators on how to start a biotechnology course. Click here for info: http://www.biotechinstitute.org/resources/MossBiotechGuide.html
Shoestring Biotechnology
A laboratory manual that provides biotechnology teachers low-cost, practical, teacher-tested activities for high- schools and two-year colleges. Click here for info:
http://www.biotechinstitute.org/resources/shoestring_biotech.html
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