Introduction to the Workshop
URLs Provided by Attendees

Abstracts

Mapping

Informatics

Sequencing

Instrumentation

Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues

Infrastructure

The electronic form of this document may be cited in the following style:
Human Genome Program, U.S. Department of Energy, DOE Human Genome Program Contractor-Grantee Workshop IV, 1994.

Abstracts scanned from text submitted for November 1994 DOE Human Genome Program Contractor-Grantee Workshop. Inaccuracies have not been corrected.

Human Genetics Education for Middle and Secondary Science Teachers

Debra L. Collins, M.S.[1], Linda Segebrecht, M.S.[2], R. Neil Schimke, M.D.[3]
[1]University of Kansas Medical Center; 3901 Rainbow Blvd.; Dept. of Endocrinology and Genetics, 4023 Wescoe; Kansas City, KS 66160-7318; [2]Science Pioneers, Inc.; 425 Volker Blvd.; Kansas City, MO 62110; [3]University of Kansas Medical Center; 3901 Rainbow Blvd.; Dept. of Endocrinology and Genetics, 4023 Wescoe; Kansas City, KS 66160-7318

The goal of this project is to increase public awareness of the Human Genome Project through a series of educational workshops, development of a teacher mentor network, and dissemination activities by teachers. Workshop topics focused on the application of ethical, legal, social, and public policy implications to new genetic technology. All participants complete four phases of the project over a two year period:

• Phase l: first one week workshop
  
• Phase II: classroom use of materials and information
  
• Phase III: second one week workshop
  
• Phase IV: peer dissemination of information

Uses of biotechnology were demonstrated through tours of laboratory facilities using new DNA technologies in research, clinical care, and forensic science.

Teachers used the DOE / BSCS curriculum in their classroom, presented peer teaching programs, and began disseminating workshop information at local, state, and national teacher meetings. Most peer teaching will be completed in the 1994 - 1995 school year.

To date, 115 teachers from 40 states and the District of Columbia have attended these DOE / HGP workshops. These educators will teach more than 16,000 students each year. Approximately 19% of the students are from minority populations. Participants have disseminated information about the Human Genome Project to more than 2,600 peer teachers in 33 states at more than 150 different educational programs and meetings.

The project is evaluated through teacher assessment of knowledge, preparedness and confidence, as well as a national pre and post-survey of students' knowledge of genetics and Human Genome Project topics. Preliminary data shows a large increase in student knowledge in participants' classrooms compared to a control group.

A database of genetics educational materials has been compiled at our Education Center with annotated information on developed curricula, books, booklets, brochures, computer programs, hands-on materials, newsletters, posters, videotapes, and other resources. This list is available to educators.