Teacher Resources

There is a wealth of information on the Web about the science of biotechnology. The following list of Web resources is meant to serve as a guide for sites of interest in biotechnology. Inclusion on these lists does not indicate endorsement by the Biotechnology Institute. If you would like to submit your link for inclusion, email info@biotechinstitute.org. Requests for links are subject to evaluation for relevance and accuracy.

Access Excellence: About Biotechnology
Access Excellence is a national educational program that provides health, biology and life science teachers access to their colleagues, scientists, and critical sources of new scientific information via the World Wide Web.

Action Bioscience
 The web site provides articles by scientists, science educators, and science students on issues related to bioscience challenges. In addition, the web site provides educators with original lessons and resources to enhance bioscience teaching.

American Society of Plant Biologists
Aspb.org provides comprehensive resources for grades K-12 including an outreach program designed to expose students and teachers to plant biology research from the scientists perspective and to encourage students who may be interested in pursuing plant biology as a career.

Bio-Link
Bio-Link.org works to educate the biotechnology workforce by providing information for teachers, students and job seekers.

BIO.COM
BIO.COM exists to facilitate the exchange of information within the life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. BIO.COM publishes daily news, information and research tools for life science professionals and students

BioSpace.com
BioSpace.com is a leader in Web-based products and services for the life sciences industry. The site also offers information on business and careers, including links to company Web sites, experts and other online resources.

Biology I Animations, Movies & Interactive Tutorial Links
A superb collection of Biology videos and animations for A-level and beyond.

Butterflies and BtCorn Case Study: Agricultural Research Service
Site explores the case study, "Butterflies and Bt Corn: Allowing Science to Guide Decisions."

The Canadian Biotechnology Education Resource Center
ENGAGE: The Science, Ethics and Regulation of a New Technology is a new high school teaching resource on stem cell research developed through the Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI) by Genome Canada, the Stem Cell Network and the Joint Centre for Bioethics (JCB) at the University of Toronto.

CATO Institute
Biotechnology Information Directory of organizations and research sites is a public services provided by CATO Research Ltd.

Centers for Disease Control: EXCITE Program
 EXCITE is a collection of teaching materials developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to introduce students to public health and epidemiology, the science used by "Disease Detectives" everywhere. Students will learn about the scientific method of inquiry, basic biostatistics, and outbreak investigation.

Charity Lab
The Charity Lab receives donations of surplus laboratory equipment from corporations. Proceeds from the resale of this equipment are donated to deserving and worthy causes. The Charity Lab is also interested in education and makes donations of laboratory equipment or supplies to schools. Teachers interested in this opportunity may email Ken Snoke directly.

Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Biotechnology Learning Center.
This classroom space is dedicated to teaching upper elementary and middle school youth and their families about the history of biotechnology, the science behind it and how our foods and plants will be affected by this growing science. The Biotechnology Learning Center in the DOW ScienceWorks Gallery includes 1500 square feet of lab space suited for school and family activities and demonstrations. Opportunities for workshops, classes, distance links and institutes will be available for teachers and students.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals Education Foundation offers grants of $2,000 to one middle school and one high school teacher demonstrating exemplary science teaching. The deadline is October 15, 2007. For more information, visit http://www.nsta.org/cibateacher.

CityLab
CityLab is a fully equipped biotechnology laboratory housed at Boston University's School of Medicine that is available to middle and high school students.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
CSHL is a research and educational institution. The laboratory has research programs focusing on cancer, neurobiology, plant genetics, genomics and bioinformatics and a broad educational mission, including the recently established Watson School of Biological Sciences.

Council for Biotechnology Education
The Council for Biotechnology Education provides science-based information about the benefits and safety of agricultural and food biotechnology.

Dolan DNA Learning Center at Cold Spring Harbor
The Dolan DNA Learning Center is the world's first science center devoted entirely to public genetics education and is an operating unit of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, an important center for molecular genetics research. The site offers an animated primer on the basics of DNA, genes and heredity.

DuPont Biotechnology
This site provides an introduction to biotechnology, news, policy overviews, and links to other Web resources.

EDVOTEK
EDVOTEK provides biotechnology education experiment kits, reagents and equipment for middle school through medical school.

Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education
The Eisenhower National Clearinghouse (ENC) is a K-12 math and science teacher center and includes curriculum resources, professional development opportunities and other classroom materials.

VIB, The Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology
VIB is a non-profit scientific research institute. Using advanced gene technology, VIB studies the functioning of the human body, plants and microorganisms.

Flinn Scientific, Inc. The company offers the free First-Year Teacher Survival Kit, containing secondary school science material ideal for new and pre-service teachers beginning their challenging new careers.  
The kit includes demonstration ideas, safety posters, a reproducible safety contract, money-saving coupons and the Flinn Scientific Catalog/Reference Manual Sampler. The catalog features safety data on proper storage and the handling and disposal of laboratory chemicals.

The Gateway to Educational Materials (GEM)
 The Gateway to Educational Materials (GEM) provides educators with quick and easy access to lesson plans, instructional units and other educational resources, mostly freely available on the Internet! GEM is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Genographic Project by National Geographic
A landmark study of the human journey - Who was your first ancestor? New DNA studies say that all humans descended from an African ancestor who lived only 60,000 years ago. Uncover the specific paths that led him to you - the ultimate human history, as written in our genes.

Genetics Home Reference
Genetics Home Reference is the National Library of Medicine's web site for consumer information about genetic conditions and the genes or chromosomes related to those conditions

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Virtual Lab Series
BioInteractive is a website and a collection of biology-focused teaching materials created by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

History's Harvest
From the American Society of Plant Biologists, the History's Harvest video and accompanying poster is available for free to teachers.

The Institute for Genome Research (TIGR)
TIGR is a nonprofit research institute whose primary research interests are in structural, functional and comparative analysis of genomes and gene products from a wide variety of organisms including viruses, eubacteria (both pathogens and non-pathogens, archaea (the so-called third domain of life), and eukaryotes (plants, animals, fungi and protists such as the malarial parasite).

Institute for Educational Excellence and Enterpreneurship.
The 3E Institute is a global center for identifying, supporting, and mentoring entrepreneurial educators who prepare children and youth to succeed in a learning environment based on interest, passion, discovery and initiative.

Immaculata University
Recommended resources for high school biology teacher taking the Summer 2005 Immaculata University SEPCHE Course.

Iowa State University: Biotech Resources for Grades 4-12
 The site features classroom lab activities and biotechnology curriculum units from the Extension office of Iowa State University.

Kellogg Center for Biotechnology, Northwestern University
The Kellogg Center for Biotechnology, housed in the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, enables students and faculty to create new business strategies to succeed in the field of biotechnology.

M A S S I V E
Math and Science Song Information. Viewable everywhere. Check this site for music to keep your students interested in biology. Greg Crowther of the University of Washington has created such songs and maintains a database of over 2000 he has compiled from other works.

Meeting of the Molecules
From crystallization to protein folding, basic biological and chemical processes depend on interactions among atoms and molecules. High school and beginning college students can study and manipulate these liasons at Molecular Logic from the Concord Consortium.

Microbe World
Microbe World is a portal Web site powered by the American Society for Microbiologists providing information on microbiology for a wide range of audiences from children to teachers and adults.

Microbiology Information Portal
An Internet Web site designed to provide useful and interesting microbiology informational resources.

Merck Institute for Science Education (MISE)
Merck Institute for Science Education (MISE) was founded to improve student performance and participation in science. Merck seeks to wed children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning with an investigative approach to science.

www.Molecular-Plant-Biotechnology.info
Molecular-Plant-Biotechnology.info is a website that provide useful and interesting microbiology information resources.

Monsanto's Biotech Knowledge Center
Sponsored by Monsanto, the Biotech Knowledge Center includes news items, technical reports and other materials from a variety of viewpoints in order to promote a deeper understanding of agricultural biotechnology.

National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT)
NABT is the leader in life science education. Their mission statement reads, "The National Association of Biology Teachers empowers educators to provide the best possible biology and life science education for all students."

National Human Genome Research Institute
Need help sorting through the tangle of laws and regulations covering genetic testing, DNA patenting, and related concerns? The new database from the National Human Genome Research Institute compiles federal and state rules, policies and legislation.

National Institutes of Health: Bioethics Resources on the Web
This Bioethics Website from NIH contains a broad collage of annotated web links. The listed resources provide background information and various positions on issues in bioethics.

National Institutes of Health: Free Curriculum Supplements
The National Institutes of Health offers three new curriculum supplements for middle and high school classes. Each aligns with the National Science Education Standards and contains a web-based component.

National Institute of General Medical Sciences: The Chemistry of Health
This online science education booklet aims to offer a sampling of how basic chemistry and biochemistry research can spur a better understanding of human health.

National Institute of General Medical Sciences: Genetic Basics
This online brochure, Genetic Basics, was produced by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), which supports basic biomedical research that is not targeted to specific diseases.

National Institute of General Medical Sciences: The Structures of Life
The online brochure from NIGMS focuses on structural biology.

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
NSTA's mission is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. The site contains information on publications, classroom materials, conferences, and other teaching resources.

Science Ambassador Program
The Science Ambassador Program is a unique opportunity for current and
future science teachers to partner with the Centers for Disease Control
and Preventions' (CDC) Coordinating Center for Health Promotion. This
pairing will afford current and future teachers excellent educational
opportunities to explore well-documented scientific issues and to learn
about a variety of different topics, including epidemiology, surveillance, folic acid, genetics, fetal alcohol syndrome, public health technology, early hearing detection and intervention, hereditary blood disorders, muscular dystrophy, gastroschisis, and other birth defects.

Teachers Teaching Teachers. Teachers Teaching Teachers is an exciting new professional development opportunity for elementary, middle, and high school teachers who teach in Western Pennsylvania. TTT was created from the fundamental idea that there is an abundance of outstanding teachers right here in Western Pennsylvania that have great teaching techniques, and that use best practices, methods and strategies that have been proven to work in their classrooms. TTT offers these master teachers a venue to share their insights, ideas, methods and expertise with fellow teachers.

New York Times Learning Network: Grades 3-12
The Learning Network provides information for students, teachers, and parents. Teachers may sign up for science and health-related lessons plans that are issued via email each Tuesday.

Northwest Association of Biomedical Research
Don't miss the opportunity to download a comprehensive ethics primer from Northwest Association of Biomedical Research (NAWBR). The primer contains major ethical perspective theories, lesson strategies, decision frameworks, and case studies.

Vanderbilt University Bioimages Database
 The Bioimages database, developed by the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University, working in cooperation with a number of other participating institutions and agencies, has created this site that allows visitors to peruse a number of detailed image databases. The databases cover a wide range of topical and geographical areas, such as southeastern US plants and an area dedicated to providing information on plant features.

Virtual Library on Genetics
Provides background information and curriculum guides for human genetics and other genome projects. Site is managed by the Office of Science at the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Way Station
Each human disease gene has hundreds or thousands of alleles. For example, molecular biologists have identified more than 600 faulty versions of the gene that causes cystic fibrosis. This new database houses information on these mutations, a collection they hope will become the central repository for such data.

The World As A Classroom (MEDUC 6640)
An online class from Weber State Univeristy designed for teachers who participate in study tours, research, and other professional development experiences. The class would enable teachers to earn graduate credits toward re-certification or a master's degree. The credits are transferable to most colleges and universities. The primary requirements are that the teachers keep a log of activities and then develop lesson plans to carry their experiences back to the classroom.