Register for summer middle school teacher workshops at the Arizona Science Center

May 23, 2006

By hammersmith

Over 200 teachers have already shared these biotechnology units with their middle school students. Join them for workshops on biomedicine, genetically modified foods, and bioremediation in water treatment. All attendees receive six hours professional development and a set of lesson plans aligned to current Arizona state standards. Workshop with kit is available, and includes materials to carry out the lessons with a class of about 30 students. These workshops will be held at the Arizona Science Center. Register by calling 602-716-2028. Individual prices below:

6th Grade: Water: Our Bioengineered Resource
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, August 19: Price with classroom kit $340, without kit: $100
Did you know microscopic organisms are used to digest the waste in our dirty water? Bioengineers have designed and optimized the use of these microbes to treat our water. Your students will learn how to test and treat water and then design their own water treatment system.

7th Grade: Genetically Modified Foods In My Schoolyard?
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, August 26: Price with classroom kit $250, without kit: $100

What are the pros and cons of genetically modified foods? This set of lessons is ideal for team social science and science teaching. Your students will learn about the application of biotechnology to agriculture and grow their own genetically modified crop.

8th Grade: Doctoring DNA
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, September 9: Price with classroom kit $230, without kit: $100

How will biotechnology revolutionize health care? This curriculum includes hands-on labs to extract DNA from plants and genetically modify bacteria. Students then apply their knowledge to design, produce and market a simulated cancer-curing medicine.

For more information, contact Dianne McKee, Educational Services Manager, Arizona Science Center, Institute for Teaching, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85004; 602-716-2000, ext. 2564.