Gene U: Inquiry-based Genomics Learning Experiences for Teachers and Students

遗传学和基因组学的进步可能为与粮食生产、环境保护、能源生产和改善人类健康有关的全球挑战提供以前难以想象的解决方案。然而，许多学生和成年人缺乏必要的基本理解，在健康方面发现和应用遗传学和基因组学信息。此外，许多初中和高中学生没有学校学习经验，发展科学和健康素养，或建立相关职业的兴趣。为了帮助解决这些教育差距和挑战，基因U将开发，评估和传播新的科学和健康教学资源，为初中和高中早期的观众-重点是在遗传学和基因组学的新兴领域。主题示例包括：环境在调节多基因表达中的作用，家族史在理解风险和疾病易感性中的重要性，人体内微生物的意义和遗传变异性，以及遗传学研究如何促进神经生物学的理解。伦理方面的考虑和生物医学过程的基础，临床和转化研究将编织在整个教学资源。该项目将贝勒医学院和埃默里大学与当地教育机构合作，并包括具有广泛教育和科学专业知识的合作者。该方案模式将在两个不同的城市地区实施和评估，这些地区的少数民族和经济困难学生入学率很高。项目的具体目标是：1）招募和支持一个国家教师领导小组，他们将与科学家、临床医生和教育工作者合作，开发三个科学和健康调查补充课程模块，旨在提供3-6周的调查教学; 2）与项目合作伙伴合作，在两个大城市地区连续实地测试每个课程模块和辅助材料，采用匹配良好的对照组研究设计; 3）根据实地测试结果修订单元和辅助材料;开发网上工具-如论坛、流式视频课程演示和可下载的教学材料-为教师创建一个动态的网上课程和专业发展资源; 4）通过现有的高流量网站BioEd Online（www.example.com）和K8 Science（www.example.com）以及合作伙伴网站上的其他更传统的途径，传播课程和相关资源-课程演示、教师专业发展会议以及学生活动和材料www.bioedonline.orgwww.k8science.org。该项目的各个方面将进行评估，既形成和总结，以衡量（1）质量和有效性与该项目组件交付和实施，（2）提供给教师和学生的经验的整体价值。 公共卫生相关性（由申请人提供）：该项目将促进公众了解遗传学和基因组学基础，临床和转化研究如何有助于健康。拟议的活动将使初中和高中的受众参与教育活动，这些活动有可能改善代表性不足和经济上处于不利地位的学生的科学和健康学习，并促进他们对生物医学职业的兴趣和准备。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Advances in genetics and genomics may offer previously unimaginable solutions to worldwide challenges related to food production, protection of the environment, energy production and improvement of human health. Yet many students and adults lack fundamental understandings necessary to find and apply genetics and genomics information in a health context. In addition, many middle and high school students do not have school learning experiences that develop science and health literacy, or that build interest in related careers. To help address these educational disparities and challenges, Gene U will develop, evaluate and disseminate new science and health teaching resources for middle and early high school audiences--focused on emerging areas in genetics and genomics. Examples of topics include: role of environment in modulating polygenic expression, importance of family history in understanding risk and disease susceptibility, significance and genetic variability of the microorganisms on and within the human body, and how genetics research is advancing neurobiology understanding. Ethical considerations and biomedical processes for basic, clinical and translational research will be woven throughout the teaching resources. The project teams Baylor College of Medicine and Emory University with local education agencies, and includes collaborators with a wide range of educational and scientific expertise. The program model will be implemented and evaluated in two different urban areas with high enrollments of underrepresented minority and economically disadvantaged students. Project specific aims are to: 1) recruit and support a national team of teacher leaders, who will work together and with scientists, clinicians and educators to develop three science and health inquiry supplementary curriculum modules, designed to provide 3-6 weeks of inquiry-based instruction; 2) successively field test each curriculum module and supporting materials, in collaboration with project partners, in two large urban locations, using a well-matched comparison group study design; 3) revise the modules and supporting materials based on field test outcomes; and develop web-based tools--such as forums, streaming video lesson demonstrations and downloadable teaching materials--to create a dynamic, web-based curricular and professional development resource for teachers; 4) disseminate the curriculum and related resources--lesson demonstrations, teacher professional development sessions, and student activities and materials--via the established, high traffic websites, BioEd Online (www.bioedonline.org) and K8 Science (www.k8science.org), and through other, more traditional pathways at the partner sites. All aspects of the project will be evaluated, both formatively and summatively to gauge (1) the quality and effectiveness with which project components are delivered and implemented, and (2) the overall value of the experiences provided to teachers and students. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE (provided by applicant): The project will advance public understanding of how genetics and genomics basic, clinical and translational research contributes to health. Proposed activities will engage middle and high school audiences in educational activities that have potential to improve science and health learning by underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students and to promote their interest and preparedness for biomedical careers.