2009/2010 Teacher Workshops & Courses at BTCI

Teacher Workshops

BTCI is holding one-day teacher workshops designed to introduce middle school and high school teachers to fundamentals of biotechnology.  Topics covered through hands-on laboratory activities will include: restriction enzyme digestion and agarose gel electrophoresis, and basic bacterial transformation.  We will also discuss resources that will help teachers implement these techniques in the classroom.

DATES: Workshops will be held on Fridays:

March 19, 2010: Short Tandem Repeats and Genetic Identity
How is DNA identification really done by forensic and paternity laboratories?  Participants will: purify DNA from instructor cheek swabs; review how the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) works; set up PCR of Short Tandem Repeat (STR) DNA regions; analyze the STR data for determining human genetic identity; and, learn about other teaching resources to help implement biotechnology in the classroom

February 19, 2010: Biofuels & Biotechnology
This workshop is designed to help teachers learn more about ways they can implement these topics in the classroom.  Participants will: discuss and review PCR and do a PCR based lab activity; learn about biofuels teaching resources provided by the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC); Discuss RT-PCR and do a FOTODYNE lab activity to Analyze Plants with Altered Genes for Biofuel Production; and, learn about other teaching resources to help implement biotechnology in the classroom

LOCATION & SCHEDULE: All workshops will be held at BTCI, 5445 East Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI, from 9:00am-4:00pm. 

Fee: $100.  All workshop materials are included and lunch will be provided.

NOTE: WIRED funded teachers must register by January 22, 2010 to insure grant coverage of their fees. 

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Teacher Courses

BIOTECHNOLOGY: THE BASICS
June 14-18, 2010, 9:00am-4:00pm, lunch provided.

This course is designed to introduce teachers to the fundamentals of biotechnology. The course will begin with a review of DNA structure and function. From there we will explore how different tools are used to investigate and analyze DNA. Topics include DNA extraction, micropipetting, gel electrophoresis, restriction enzyme digestion, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and bacterial transformation. In addition, there will be opportunities to discuss bioethics, develop your laboratory preparatory skills, and collaborate with other teachers to integrate biotechnology into your curriculum. If your knowledge of biotechnology is limited or you want to brush up on basic biotechnology techniques, this is the course for you!

BTCI Course Fee: $500. WIRED funded teachers must register by January 22, 2010 and contact karin.borgh@btci.org for payment information.

Graduate Education Credit:  Viterbo University will offer 3 graduate education credits for an additional cost of $270.  1-3 Edgewood College credits will also be offered for an additional cost of $150 per credit. 

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PAYMENT FORM