Hands-on DNA and Biotechnology Laboratory Experience - Continued
Help me give my students biotechnology lab equipment that includes a micropipette, UV lights, and DNA fingerprint kits to conduct DNA and Biotechnology inquiry-based learning.
My greatest pleasure is seeing students enjoying and actively participating in the learning process. I get excited when my teaching brings understanding and comprehension of the subjects I teach. It is especially gratifying when my students' interest in science is sparked in one of my classes and they choose to further their science education or chose a scientific career as a result of their classroom experience. Biotechnology, a new class offered at our school this year, is often taught exclusively at the high school or collegiate level. Why not Middle School?
My students enjoy "hands-on" experience.
One of their recent lab experiences was extracting DNA from their cheek cells where they work with science equipment while following a protocol. Seeing the excitement on their faces as they extract their own DNA while placing it in a vial for safe-keeping was priceless.
As one student stated in another hands-on experiment - "my favorite was the DNA fingerprinting experiment. What makes it so cool is that we get to use lab equipment, like micropipettes and Erlenmeyer flasks. It really makes you feel like a chemist."
My Project
Each year our school examines our course selection and elective offerings to ensure we are meeting student learning needs, building rigorous and relevant curriculum, increasing our ability to meet them at their appropriate rate and level. This year we are excited to be offering a new STEM course: DNA Science & Biotechnology.
In this course, my students will gain experience with the basic foundations of DNA & Biotechnology through hands-on experience & laboratory techniques.
Students are introduced to basic principles of molecular genetics, protein synthesis, recombinant DNA technology & genetic engineering. They also gain hands-on experience in biotechnology methods such as laboratory safety, micro-pipetting, DNA extraction and restriction digestion, gel electrophoresis, PCR, recombinant DNA and gene editing. This class blends the key areas of critical thinking, inquiry/problem solving and effective collaboration along with Next Generation Science Standards and the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) programming standards.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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 Mr. Hashimoto and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
