Soap bubbles excited using a vibration generator can be used to model the formation of a diatomic molecule because of their analogous properties to atomic orbitals. (Author)

Describes strategies used by the Biotechnology Working Group during their efforts to influence state and local policy concerning biotechnology issues. Strategies address methods for framing the issue, educating self and others, recruiting allies, and developing citizen pressure. (MDH)

Presents a case study for use in the teaching of bioprocess design. Taking the production and isolation of the intracellular protein s. cerevisae, demonstrates how undergraduates can use a range of data to construct and then investigate the range of processes flowsheet options available for a process duty. (Author/SAH)

Discusses the impact of biotechnology (i.e., the use of DNA profiling in the courtroom) on today's society. Presents a hands-on activity for DNA profiling simulation that actively involves students. (YDS)

Discusses the question, How much understanding of ethics and of what kind is needed to enable useful engagement with practical issues? Discusses this question in the context of a university-level class in the area of ethical issues in biotechnology. (SAH)

Analyzes biotechnology at different levels of aggregation to better understand the possible emergence of a specific European dimension. Uses multivariate analysis with title words from scientific journals of biotechnology to distinguish between the intellectual organization in terms of title words and the institutional network in terms of…

The ability to understand and evaluate news reporting of science is often cited as an attribute of a scientifically literate person. This work reports on an attempt to develop such attributes in a group of 19 student-teachers. They were introduced to a review technique designed to help them evaluate newspaper representation of science and engage…

All citizens will make bioethics decisions as a result of today's biotechnology revolution. The decisions made require citizens to find possible acceptable solutions to dilemmas that have become public issues. In this activity, students practice making decisions in ethical dilemmas after evaluating the influences of their own ethical beliefs and…

Genomics profoundly affects society, because genome sequence information is widely used in such areas as genetic testing, genomic medicine/vaccine development, and so forth. Therefore, a responsibility to modernize science curricula exists for "post-genome era" educators. At my university, we developed a BS biotechnology program within a…

Today, societal decisions in areas of complexity are often dominated by one of three alternative ways: (a) by scientists, nowadays often in combination with commercial interest; (b) by politicians alone; and (c) by simply "laissez-faire," or "the tyranny of small steps." None of these three ways of decision making is fully…

Mentoring programs provide benefits to mentors, proteges, and organizations, but not all organizations have such programs in place. In those that do, women's exclusion from informal networks limits their visibility and, in turn, their chances of acquiring a mentor. This poses a barrier to women's career advancement, as does the absence of female…

Introduction: In this paper, we discuss the link between information sharing and organizational knowledge production in two very different organizations; a company that handles insurance claims and a small, entrepreneurial hi-tech company. We suggest that this link has not been adequately addressed by studies of information behaviour, though a…

Taking into account the historic transitions and progressions in agricultural science, this article examines the emergence of the phenomenon of agricultural biotechnology. It identifies pivotal sites of tension between agricultural biotechnology and alternative approaches to agriculture. The article identifies two distinct sources of contemporary…

Adapted primary literature (APL) refers to an educational genre specifically designed to enable the use of research articles for learning biology in high school. The present investigation focuses on the pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of four high-school biology teachers who enacted an APL-based curriculum in biotechnology. Using a…

This document, prepared by The Biotechnology Information Center at the National Agricultural Library, contains sources of information that can provide a starting point for teachers, university faculty, extension agents, and other education leaders who have an interest in biotechnology education and training. Sections include a bibliography of the…