Biotech in the Classroom: Taking the Science Outside the Lab
My students need copies of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks to learn about the history of biotech, bioethics, and HeLa cells.
FULLY FUNDED! Dr. Hanono's classroom raised $481
This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
The students in my biotechnology class are learning skills to work in a laboratory setting. Almost every class is a lab day, but students forget that there is more to being a scientist than lab experiments. HeLa cells transformed biomedical research and their story takes the science outside the lab.
Our school is in one of the largest public secondary school districts in the state, and we are one of the largest schools in the district with more than 3,000 students, where many are classified as minority or socioeconomically disadvantaged.
In recent years, the size of our student body has increased dramatically, but the laboratory resources available have not kept up with the increasing size of the school.
These books will be used in a dedicated biotechnology course that is now in its third year to expand the science experience of my students beyond the classroom. I have a diverse group of students with varying skills, but all are eager learners and hard workers. For many of these students this is their third or fourth year of science, and for some this class is their second science course this year. My biotechnology students are smart and energetic; they are clearly open to new experiences, and like to be challenged.
My Project
My students are learning techniques used in labs around the world. To give them this experience, most days in the class involve some sort of lab activities. However, being a good scientist is not just what you do in the lab, it is also much more.
Every scientist stands on the shoulders of the scientists and others in the field that came before them. HeLa cells revolutionized the field of biotechnology, but the way they were obtained and used posed quite a few ethical dilemmas. This book tells the story of the cells and how they changed the biotechnology field forever. It presents a case study in bioethics and the use of human subjects in science that is engaging and compelling. Importantly, the book also presents the idea that science does not exist in a vacuum, but is part of the society in which it is conducted.
By reading and discussing the book, students will build a better idea of how science works, and learn about issues scientists face away from the lab bench.
Students tend to forget that science is more than just research and experiments.
The narrative in the book provides a perspective on how scientific research influences society, and how society and ethical issues influence science. Through the story of Henrietta Lacks and her cells, I hope that my students will think critically about the issues presented and broaden their idea of what it means to be a scientist.
Half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Dr. Hanono and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
