The importance of engaging students in science and helping them to become informed citizens has been highlighted by many groups invested in science education. This report describes a project that furthers both academic and civic goals through the integration of a service learning component into an undergraduate course. This nonmajors class covers…

Describes an inexpensive replacement for the gel matrix, agarose, to aid teachers in reducing the cost of supplies needed to perform gel electrophoresis experiments. (ZWH)

Presents a student simulation activity based on the dideoxy chain termination method of determining the nucleotide sequence of DNA fragments developed in 1977 by Fred Sanger. (JRH)

This report offers California college faculty a closer look at contextualized teaching and learning (CTL) as a promising set of strategies and practices that can be expanded through the state's Basic Skills Initiative. The report is relevant to a range of instructional and counseling faculty, including academic and career and technical education…

Provides protocols for the isolation and characterization of plasmid from E.coli. (ZWH)

Describes the development and use of a survey instrument designed to make available information regarding the perceptions that teachers have as to the appropriate content areas in biotechnology for a high school biology curriculum and the instructional methods that would best convey this information. (ZWH)

Suggests the incorporation of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique into high school and college biology laboratories. Discusses the following sections: (1) current PCR applications; (2) PCR technique; (3) Manual and Machine PCR; (4) Manual PCR Preparations and Procedure; (5) Materials, Supplies, and Recipes; (6) Primer Selection; and (7)…

Bacterial transformation is a commonly used technique in genetic engineering that involves transferring a gene of interest into a bacterial host so that the bacteria can be used to produce large quantities of the gene product. Although several kits are available for performing bacterial transformation in the classroom, students do not always…

Describes a project that introduces students to the field of biotechnology and provides them with an understanding of the basic principles and techniques as well as an opportunity to participate in experimental methodology. Presents specific science projects that deal with polymorphism in the lipase gene and the genetic engineering of a lipase…

This guide is designed to foster an understanding of the basic concepts underlying biotechnology through simple activities that are fun and creative for students in grades 3-5. It contains four units that will lead young students to an appreciation of how biotechnology is possible and some of its applications. The process of learning is intended…

This selected collection of How-To-Do-It articles published in the American Biology Teacher during the past six years presents experiments that can be conducted safely under properly trained and responsible teacher supervision. Contents include: (1) "General Biology and the Nature of Science"; (2) "Cells and Molecules"; (3) "Microbes and Fungi";…

Bestows diagrams to describe common transformation methods and applications of these methods in biotechnology today. (ZWH)

Describes procedures for identifying the protein ribonuclease from plant tissue extracts using mini-gel electrophoresis. (PR)

This publication contains statewide standards for the biotechnology program in Georgia. The standards are divided into 12 categories: foundations (philosophy, purpose, goals, program objectives, availability, evaluation); admissions (admission requirements, provisional admission requirements, recruitment, evaluation and planning); program…

Describes an easy and inexpensive method of preparing experimental growth media that high school students can use for plant cloning investigations. (PR)