This session will discuss high school biotechnology education with educators and representatives of foundations, industry, and government. Brockton High School has developed an innovative, four-year non-vocational biotechnology pathway. Innovative teaching methods are used to increase literacy and cutting edge research tools are used to promote math skills and critical thinking.
The biotechnology pathway was designed to help students learn in a horizontally and vertically integrated thematic pathway. Toward that goal, ethical, social and political issues are weaved into the students' scientific explorations. Technical report writing, lab notebooks, lab reports, web-based student portfolios, and literary analysis are all methods used to enhance literacy skills.
We are transforming the qualitative approach to life sciences to one that is more quantitative. We will do this through our expanded use of digital probeware, reporter assays, bioinformatics and quantitative PCR. To the extent that we know, this will be the first time qPCR will be routinely utilized as a hands-on teaching tool in a high school classroom. This work will help our students enter post-secondary education and the workforce with greater mathematical reasoning, scientific practices and content expertise.