Real World Examples Needed to help Students
The Education Trust-West estimates that one in three students in California drop out of high school. In San Diego, an estimated 40 percent of students drop out. In a report conducted for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, students reported the main reasons why they dropped out of school: 47 percent reported classes weren't interesting. When asked what would have kept them in school: 81 percent called for more "real world" learning opportunities.
The Science Education Speakers Bureau is an innovative program that matches industry professionals from business, research and higher education with K-12 classroom volunteer teaching and speaking opportunities. We have identified the first lessons that we will take into 7th grade middle school classrooms. We could use your help coming up with some real world examples specific to the life science industry here in San Diego.
If you are interested in helping out please email Kristie Grover kgrover@biocom.org with examples for the concepts below.
Lesson #1
Concept: All cells (plant, animal, bacteria) have DNA, DNA can be extracted. DNA is the same in all cells, it's the order of base pairs that makes things look different.Students will extract DNA. Definitely from wheat germ, and also from other things (strawberries, cheek cells) if available.
"Real Life Application"- How do scientists use this sort of information? Provide any examples- the more specific, the better. Or if you know of a particular website that provides an example, please email Kristie Grover kgrover@biocom.org.
Lesson #6
Concept: Genotype/phenotype and patterns of inheritance.
Students will test themselves and their families for ability to taste PTC (a dominant trait)
"Real Life Application"- How do scientists use this sort of information? Provide any examples- the more specific, the better. Or if you know of a particular website that provides an example, please email Kristie Grover kgrover@biocom.org.
Lesson #11
Concept: Levers in the body.
Students will take measurements of several mammalian jaws, and calculate the mechanical advantage at the molar and incisor.
"Real Life Application"- How do scientists use this sort of information? Provide any examples- the more specific, the better. Or if you know of a particular website that provides an example, please email Kristie Grover kgrover@biocom.org.
SDSU Offers Advanced Programs in Regulatory Affairs and Information Technology
Professional Science Master's (PSM) programs have been identified as among the best and most industry aligned graduate programs in the nation. California leads the country in PSM programs in the life sciences. Now, these programs are being made available online (a) for current and prospective employees of life science companies and (b) for individuals leaving active military duty who have strong backgrounds in science and technology. Two new online programs are beginning in the spring, with the first courses starting on March 23:
Regulatory Affairs 601-The Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, and Medical Devices Industries
http://www.neverstoplearning.net/regulatoryaffairsindustry.html
Computational Sciences 601-Business Skills for the Information Age
http://www.neverstoplearning.net/compscienceindustry.html
These courses can be taken alone or as part of a Certificate or Science Master's program. They are well-suited to meeting internal training needs, and the web sites provide information about them for interested individuals and for Human Resources staff and Division heads.