The Biotechnology Classroom
Dr David McKay and Scott Roche of the Faculty of Science, Health and Education are working with regional schools and the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to develop a teaching program and professional development package to impart the basics of genetic engineering and biotechnology to Years 11 and 12 students.
The Biotechnology Classroom project arose partly from an Education Queensland (EQ) collaborative project already completed by Dr McKay, an outcome of which was the development of a website to teach the theory of biotechnology. This website is referenced in the USC Core Course COR111 - Environment, Technology and Sustainability and is available to EQ teachers throughout Queensland on the Education Queensland site, The Learning Place.
The Australian Government has funded the project under the Australian School Innovation Science Technology and Mathematics (ASISTM) grant scheme in order to improve the standard of biotechnology teaching in schools and to give students the opportunity to engage in cutting edge science. While this aspect of the project is now complete, the project continues with further work in schools.
An online course has now been developed, with links to the EQ website, which will include material for teachers and laboratory technicians, and a Study Guide for students.
The package will be made available to teachers throughout Queensland.
The book 'Unravelling Genes: A Lay Person's Guide to Genetic Engineering', of which Dr McKay is principal author, is a resource for the project.