Biotech News - NAU and TGen Awarded Grant to Develop High School Science Programs

Helping science teachers keep pace with biosciences

08-16-2006

Flagstaff and Phoenix, AZ, August 16, 2006-- Northern Arizona
University and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen)
have been awarded a three-year grant from the Arizona Board of
Regents to give Arizona high school teachers the training they need
to best educate and advise students who have an interest in the
biosciences.
NAU and TGen will partner with Arizona high schools to help teachers
educate their students about career opportunities in science and the
skills required to excel in Arizona's biosciences industry.

The program, Biotechnology for Teachers: A Link Between Content and
Real-World Application, is an Improving Teacher Quality project that
will receive $122,000 for the first year and additional funding for
the following two years.

The grant supports collaboration among scientists and educators to
help secondary biology teachers update their biology content
knowledge and biotechnology laboratory skills.

"The goal is to increase teachers' content knowledge, awareness of
rapid advances in biotechnology, current and future uses of
biotechnology, hands-on laboratory skills and pedagogical knowledge
that can be transferred to students," said Catherine Ueckert, an
associate professor in biological sciences at NAU.

TGen, in collaboration with NAU's College of Engineering and Natural
Sciences and the Center for Science Teaching and Learning, will
implement the program through the Chino Valley School District, the
Tuba City School District and Mesa Public Schools.

NAU, TGen and the schools will collaboratively develop programs that
give high school teachers exposure and opportunities to learn about
science. For example, teachers will participate in professional
development opportunities in biotechnology, earn 24 NAU graduate
college credits free of charge, and explore ways to prepare their
students for the science component of the AIMS test.

A highlight of Biotechnology for Teachers is authentic laboratory
experiences facilitated by TGen on the genetic basis of various
diseases and disorders.

"TGen is proud of our partnership with NAU and is eager to share our
knowledge and expertise in genomics and bioscience with teachers
across the state," said Candice Nulsen, TGen education program
manager. "We look forward to helping science educators learn more
about how the biosciences may be applied to a real-world setting."
According to Nena Bloom from NAU's Center for Science Teaching and
Learning, NAU will oversee the coordination and teaching of the
program, including a variety of coursework such as methods of
biotechnology and genetics/molecular biology.

"The program will also provide professional development in a
collaborative setting with TGen to help teachers use biotechnology
laboratories efficiently and effectively in their classrooms," Bloom
said.

Teachers also will be educated about current topics on the ethical,
legal and social implications of genomics and participate in grant-
writing workshops.

About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a non-profit
501(c)(3) organization focused on developing earlier diagnostics and
smarter treatments. Translational genomics research is a relatively
new field employing innovative advances arising from the Human
Genome Project and applying them to the development of diagnostics,
prognostics and therapies for cancer, neurological disorders,
diabetes and other complex diseases. TGen's research is based on
personalized medicine. The institute plans to accomplish its goals
through robust and disease-focused research.

About Northern Arizona University (NAU)
NAU has earned a solid reputation as a comprehensive university with
a personal touch and an outstanding research component. The personal
attention comes in many forms, including small classes with full-
time professors who know their students' names and a caring and
committed staff whose goal is to help every student succeed. While
the university's emphasis is undergraduate education, it offers
graduate programs and research that builds from its base on the
Colorado Plateau and extends to such national concerns as forest
health and genetics. Internationally recognized environmental
research, including disease ecology, programs give student unique
training opportunities. www.nau.edu.

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