Advanced Bioinformatics: Genetic Research (Bio-ITEST)

Curricular Materials

The Bio-ITEST genetic research curriculum unit explores how bioinformatics is used to perform genetic research. Specifically, the bioinformatics tools of BLAST, ORFinder, ClustalW and Cn3D are used to analyze genetic sequences. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene is introduced as the “DNA barcoding” gene that allows for identification of species. Students examine DNA sequences from different animal species, investigate the relationship between protein structure and function, and explore evolutionary relationships among eukaryotic organisms. The unit concludes with an authentic

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Introductory Bioinformatics: Genetic Testing (Bio-ITEST)

Curricular Materials

The Bio-ITEST genetic testing curriculum explores how bioinformatics is applied to genetic testing. Specifically, the bioinformatics tools of BLAST and Cn3D are used to investigate the genetic and molecular consequences of a mutation to the Breast Cancer Susceptibility 1 (BRCA1) gene. Students are also introduced to principles-based bioethics in order to support their thoughtful consideration of the many social and ethical implications of genetic testing. Throughout the unit, students are presented with a number of career options in which the tools of bioinformatics are used. In a series of

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Bioinformatics Education in High School: Implications for Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Careers

Publications

We investigated the effects of our Bio-ITEST teacher professional development model and bioinformatics curricula on cognitive traits (awareness, engagement, self-efficacy, and relevance) in high school teachers and students that are known to accompany a developing interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. The program included best practices in adult education and diverse resources to empower teachers to integrate STEM career information into their classrooms. The introductory unit, Using Bioinformatics: Genetic Testing, uses bioinformatics to teach basic

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STELAR Webinar: Digital Badging in ITEST Projects

Video

On Tuesday, March 28, STELAR explored the use of digital badges in two ITEST projects. Like traditional merit badges, digital badges are earned by learning new skills, but unlike their embroidered counterparts, each digital badge contains an electronic record of the specific competencies that have

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National Science Foundation STEM + Computing Partnerships (STEM+C) Program Solicitation

Opportunities

As computing has become an integral part of the practice of modern science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), the STEM + Computing Partnerships program seeks to address the urgent need to prepare students from the early grades through high school in the essential skills, competencies, and dispositions needed to succeed in a computationally-dependent world.

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National Science Foundation Dear Colleague Letter: Enabling the Future of Making to Catalyze New Approaches in STEM Learning and Innovation

Opportunities

Building on NSF's early investments in Making, the purpose of this Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) is to encourage EAGER proposals to conduct exploratory work in its early stages on untested, but potentially transformative, research ideas or approaches that advance the frontier of knowledge with respect to STEM learning and design thinking. Specifically, NSF challenges and encourages the community to submit innovative proposals for fundamental research or the integration of research and education that: 

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US Department of Education Impressed by Laboratory School Engineering Curriculum Developed with NSF Support

News
Image

On Monday, September 12, U.S. Secretary of Education John King visited to the Laboratory School for Advanced Manufacturing in Charlotteville, VA as the first stop on the Opportunity Across America 2016 Bus Tour. Located within the Buford Middle School, the Lab School was developed with NSF support, and serves as a site for internships by preservice teachers from the University of Virginia Curry School of Education. View a video of the visit: http

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