Helping K-12 Students Become Fluent in the Language of DNA

描述（由申请人提供）：格鲁吉亚州立大学的生物巴士计划前往格鲁吉亚学校，并提出了动手，调查为基础的活动，旨在让K-12学生对科学的热情。 自1999年以来，“生物巴士”已经对格鲁吉亚30个县的学校进行了1000多次访问，并在此过程中与10多万名游客分享了令人兴奋的科学体验。 参观的工作人员是“生物巴士研究员”，研究生和高年级本科生谁喜欢分享他们对科学的热爱与年轻的学习者。 生物巴士计划的成员将寻求确定是否DNA作为一种分子语言在早期向学生介绍，促进他们理解在随后几年中提出的遗传原则的能力。 与K-12教师合作，Bio-Bus人员将开发一系列旨在帮助年轻学生熟练掌握DNA语言的活动。 DNA结构和功能的原则将在小学年级使用操作，拼图和直接的实验室经验介绍。 以这些原则为基础的其他活动将在以后的小学和中学班级中实施。 活动将在迪凯特市学校进行试点，迪凯特市学校是一个拥有多样化学生人口的郊区小学区。 经过评估和修订，成功的活动将提供给位于格鲁吉亚城市、郊区和农村地区的其他学区。该项目的最终目标是传播DNA语言方案，作为培养年轻学习者了解DNA的知识和技能的一种方法，并了解分子遗传学的进步对社会的影响。 该项目的目标是促进K-12学生对DNA和分子遗传学原理的理解。如果成功，该项目将有助于培养具备知识和技能的个人，以便就克隆、遗传工程和遗传信息的使用以及其他影响社会的分子遗传学主题作出明智的决定。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Georgia State University's Bio-Bus program travels to Georgia schools and presents hands-on, inquiry-based activities designed to get K-12 students enthusiastic about science. Since 1999, the Bio-Bus has made over 1000 visits to schools in 30 Georgia counties, and in the process has shared exciting science experiences with more than 100,000 visitors. Visits are staffed by "Bio-Bus Fellows," graduate students and advanced undergraduates who enjoy sharing their love of science with young learners. Members of the Bio-Bus program will seek to determine whether presentation of DNA as a molecular language to students at an early age facilitates their ability to understand genetic principles that are presented in subsequent years. Working with K-12 teachers, Bio-Bus personnel will develop a set of activities designed to help young students gain fluency in the language of DNA. Principles of DNA structure and function will be introduced in the primary grades using manipulatives, puzzles, and direct laboratory experiences. Additional activities that build on these principles will be implemented in later elementary and middle school classes. Activities will be pilot-tested in the City Schools of Decatur, a small suburban school district with a diverse student population. After evaluation and revision, successful activities will be offered to additional school districts located in urban, suburban and rural regions of Georgia. The ultimate goal of the project is to disseminate the DNA language program as a method for producing young learners with the knowledge and skills to understand DNA and to appreciate the impact that advances in molecular genetics are having on society. The goal of the project is to promote an understanding of DNA and the principles governing molecular genetics among K-12 students. If successful, the project will help to produce individuals with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about cloning, genetic engineering, and the use of genetic information, as well as other molecular genetics-oriented topics that affect society.