Genome Center Education Program

The Human Genome Center at the University of Michigan is supporting projects designed to update and inspire secondary science teachers in the area of genome technology and its implications. The Education Coordinator will do rotations in each core lab of the center and then develop and distribute a Genome Information Brochure explaining the activities of each core lab. A quarterly Genome Center Newsletter for educators will be published which will describe the current status of the Genome Project, review a topic in genetics and its implications, and provide information on new educational resources and materials available nationwide. Lectures on the Genome Project and 'hands on' demonstrations will be presented to the lay public and at schools throughout the state. On-site tours of the Genome Center will be conducted. Biotechnology classroom demonstration kits for teachers will be developed to complement the curriculum guide provided by BSCS. The Center will also provide the biological sciences component for the Summer Science for Girls Program (7 &8th graders) at the University of Michigan. In addition, the center will host a summer workshop for high school teachers and another for community college instructors on genome technology and its implications. The Center will host a 'hands on' workshop for the media to educate them on the scientific and ethical issues in genome research. Finally, the center will conduct training workshops on the clinical and laboratory aspects of DNA diagnosis for providers who counsel patients about genetic testing.