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Biotechnology Institute News Digest
May/June 2006
The News Digest looks at the world of biotechnology education, with Institute news, links to recent articles and a schedule of upcoming events. The News Digest is published by the Biotechnology Institute, the national organization dedicated to biotechnology education.
In this issue:
- Conference on Biotechnology Education Enjoys Record Participation
- Chicago Legacy Programs Will Have Long-Term Impact
- Spring Issue of Your World Magazine Now Online
- Institute President Paul Hanle to Receive Education Honor
- Webcast Reaches Out to BIO Members
- Institute Visits Pennsylvania
- Reaching out to the Oneida Nation
- Institute Seeking Bulletin Board Moderator
- Institute People in the News
- News Headlines
- Events & Professional Development Sessions
Conference on Biotechnology Education Largest Ever
The Biotechnology Institute’s Conference on Biotechnology Education, held in Chicago, April 6-9, enjoyed the best attendance in its four-year history. The premier professional development conference for teachers and students offered best practices sessions, hands-on professional development sessions linked to education and skill standards, competitions, and mentoring and career development for students. Highlights included:
- National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program. More than 120 teachers from around the country attended the Teacher-Leader Program. The Teacher-Leader Program provides teachers with the skills, strategies and knowledge to spread awareness of biotechnology to their students and educate their peers to do the same.
For more information on the program, see http://www.biotechinstitute.org/programs/t_leader_program.html.
- Minority and Indigenous Fellows Program. Forty Fellows were paired with industry Mentors as part of the Minority and Indigenous Fellows Program. The program pairs undergraduate and graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers from underserved populations at colleges and universities with industry Mentors. For more information on the program, see http://www.biotechinstitute.org/programs/minority_fellows_program.html
- Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Award. Kathryn Eilert of Middleton High School in Middleton, WI, was chosen from among eight finalists as the winner of the 2006 Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Award. For more information on the award and the rest of the results, see http://www.biotechinstitute.org/programs/biotecheducatoraward.html.
- Sanofi-aventis International BioGENEius Challenge. John Zhou of Detroit Country Day School of Beverly Hills, MI, is the first-place winner of the 2006 sanofi-aventis International BioGENEius Challenge. Thirteen finalists participated in the annual competition that recognizes outstanding research by high school students in biotechnology. For more information on the competition and the results, see http://biotechinstitute.org/programs/biogeneius_challenge.html.
- BioDreaming Poster Competition. A record 800 posters were received for the competition that allows students to showcase their artistic talent and their understanding of the promises and challenges of biotechnology. For more information and to see the 2006 results and posters, see http://biotechinstitute.org/programs/2006BioDreamingContestWinners.html.
For photo highlights of the 2006 Conference on Biotechnology Education, visit http://www.biotechinstitute.org/events/annualconference/2006conferencehighlights.html.
For information on the 2007 Conference on Biotechnology Education, to be held in Boston, May 3-6, visit http://biotechinstitute.org/events/annualconference/annual_conference.html.
Chicago Legacy Programs Will Have Long-Term Impact
The Chicago Public Schools Legacy Program and Illinois Biotechnology Education Initiative are examples of legacy programs that have a long-term impact on the biotechnology education communities of the Institute’s national education conference sites. The Chicago Public Schools Legacy Program and the Illinois Biotechnology Education Initiative were inaugurated when 12 teacher-leaders from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and 12 teacher-leaders from the rest of Illinois attended the National Teacher-Leader Program at the Institute’s education conference in Chicago in early April. These educators were sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Mathematics and Science Partnerships program at Loyola University.
The CPS Teacher-Leaders will work over the next two years to help other CPS teachers strengthen their science content knowledge and assist with implementation of the district's life sciences curriculum. The Illinois Teacher-Leaders met in early May with leaders from the Illinois biotechnology industry, university researchers, and representatives from the Biotechnology Institute to begin deliberation on a biotechnology education plan for statewide consideration and implementation. Additional programs that will be developed as part of the legacy program include a biotechnology focus for the After School Matters program, the piloting of the bioengineering focused Project Lead the Way program, robust local versions of national student competitions, minority leadership development, public sharing forums, and development of a biotechnology career pathway.
Your World Magazine Spring Issue Now Online
The entire Spring 2006 issue–“A World of Change: Biotech-Derived Animals, Plants, and Microbes” –of Your World: Biotechnology & You, the educational biotechnology magazine for 7th-12th grade students, is now available online for free. The issue helps students understand the science, safety assessment, and regulatory processes involved with the development and production of genetically modified organisms and how potential risks are addressed and resolved prior to commercial use.
For more information and to download the issue, go to http://www.biotechinstitute.org/resources/your_world_magazine.html.
Institute President Recognized as Outstanding Entrepreneurial Educator
Paul Hanle, president of the Biotechnology Institute, is being recognized by the Institute for Educational Excellence and Entrepreneurship (3E Institute) with its Educator 500 Dean’s Award as one of the country’s outstanding entrepreneurial educators. Hanle will receive the award at the 3E Institute’s Annual Business and Education Leadership Forum on May 18 at The Union League of Philadelphia. More than 300 education and business leaders, including representatives from 75 Philadelphia area school districts and corporations, will come together at the forum for a dialogue about creating a new model for educational innovation that is based in business and education partnerships.
For information about the Annual Business and Education Leadership Forum, see http://www.biotechinstitute.org/events/egroup_detail.php?group_id=94.
Webcast Spotlights Institute Partnership with Industry
Paul Hanle, president of the Biotechnology Institute, joined host Jackson Bain for a March 9 webcast of Bio Live, the online video broadcasting program of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). Hanle shared with BIO members the evolution of the Institute as the national biotechnology education organization and why a partnership between the biotechnology industry and the Institute is crucial to fostering a positive and supportive environment of informed decision-making about the promises and challenges of biotechnology.
To see the webcast, visit http://www.biotechinstitute.org/about/.
Institute Visits Pennsylvania
Kathy Frame, vice president for educational programs, attended two Biotech Summits in the state of Pennsylvania in April. At each meeting she spoke about the Institute’s programs and resources and provided hands-on sessions on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and presented the Roche bioethics model on GMOs. She also moderated a panel on biotech careers at each meeting.
At Northamptom Community College’s Monroe Campus, the panel included leaders from industry and academia who discussed career opportunities with the audience of educators, administrators, and students. In Harrisburg, Frame moderated a panel of state leaders that shared information about career paths with students, their teachers and guidance counselors.
Reaching Out to the Oneida Nation
Kathy Frame, vice president for educational programs, visited the Oneida Nation in Green Bay, WI, in late April. She shared biotechnology information, resources, and contacts that may benefit the Nation and took the opportunity to meet and interact with Oneida leaders to observe first-hand the development of the Nation in healthcare and education, and to learn more about its culture. The visit is an illustration of the Institute’s longstanding commitment to reach out to underrepresented communities.
For information about the Minority and Indigenous Fellows Program, visit http://www.biotechinstitute.org/programs/minority_fellows_program.html.
Institute Seeking Bulletin Board Moderator
The Biotechnology Institute seeks an online Bulletin Board Moderator to help launch a planned “E-Community” section on its website. The successful candidate will have comprehensive experience in biotechnology education, computer literacy, and a minimum of one year’s experience moderating discussion lists and/or bulletin boards. This is a paid, part-time position that allows for working from home with own equipment.
For more information, visit http://www.biotechinstitute.org/careers/job_links.html.
Institute People in the News
Teacher-Leader Norma Bursaw from Salem High School, NH, and Teacher-Leader Peggy Deichstetter of St. Edward High School, IL, recently received the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The awards are administered by the National Science Foundation and recognize outstanding mathematics and science teachers from across the United States and four U.S. jurisdictions for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.
Biotechnology Education News Headlines
Below is recent biotechnology education news. See more news at http://www.biotechinstitute.org/news/.
Young Genius: Pathogens and Prom: Finding that Balance. At Bio 2006, the international bio-tech conference at McCormick Place in early April, a well-heeled crowd of extremely optimistic-looking industry people from 62 countries and the worlds of science, business, politics and health were moving, shaking and even taking classes to stay hip to the next big thing. Except for John Zhou. He seemed to be there for the fun of it. (Chicago Tribune, 4/20/06.)
Wisconsin Teacher Wins Plaudits at BIO Convention. A study touts the wide range of biotech jobs in the Madison area; meanwhile, a Middleton High School biotechnology teacher, Kathryn Eilert, has won the Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Award. (Wisconsin State Journal, 4/11/06.)
Biotech High School Teacher Leading the Way. Biotechnology is a subject Royal High School teacher Mario Godoy-Gonzalez has been introducing to his students since 1999. Over the years, he's received much national recognition for his work, including being named a finalist for the 2006 Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Award. (Columbia Basin Herald, 4/3/06.)
Serono Funds Teachers to Attend Institute Education Conference. Ten South Shore teachers will get to rub elbows with some of the world’s leaders in the biotechnology industry next week. Serono Inc., the Swiss biotech firm that has its U.S. headquarters in Rockland, is paying for the South Shore contingent to head to the Biotechnology Institute’s Education Conference in Chicago. (The Patriot Ledger, 3/31/06.)
Upcoming Events
Below are upcoming biotechnology education events. See http://www.biotechinstitute.org/events/event_list.php for more events and information.
3E Institute’s Business and Education Leadership Forum, May 18, Philadelphia, PA.
The 3E Institute’s Fourth Annual Business and Education Leadership Forum is Thursday, May 18 at the Union League of Philadelphia, 140 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 8:00-10:15 a.m. The forum theme, “Education…Driving Workforce and Community Development,” will highlight why business and education partnerships represent an unparalleled opportunity to make educational systems relevant and successful in preparing the 21st century workforce. The forum will also will recognize the entrepreneurial educators and Educator 500’s who are leading the way.
American Society for Microbiology General Meeting, May 21-25, Orlando, FL.
The American Society for Microbiology will hold its 106thGeneral Meeting in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL from May 21-25, 2006. The scientific program will feature nearly 300 individual colloquia, symposia, roundtable discussions, award lectures, and poster sessions. Each year students are offered an opportunity to compete for travel awards. Details may be found under the General Information menu.
Relating Genetics to Everyday Life Workshop, July 11-13, Greenville, SC.
Teachers are invited for a three-day learning cycle that takes them from the basics of genetics to the modern techniques of genomics. They can find out about resources available to teachers, including how to borrow kits that will allow equipment-intensive experiments with students.They can also talk to scientists, do hands-on bench science and use self-paced tutorials. The workshop will be held at East Carolina University.Participants will receive a stipend of $225 and a copy of an activity manual with age-appropriate classroom activities in genetics for high school students.
Virginia Association of Biology Teachers Fall Conference, August, Blacksburg, VA. The conference will focus on bioinformatics and be held on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. (Exact date is still to be decided.) Hands-on sessions in bioinformatics will be held and a site visit to the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute is planned. Organizers of the event include teacher-leader and president of the National Association of Biology Teachers Rebecca Ross and Kathy Frame, the Biotechnology Institute’s vice-president for educational programs and president of VABT.
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