scholarly journals Development of a Freeze-Dried CRISPR-Cas12 Sensor for Detecting Wolbachia in the Secondary Science Classroom

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant A Rybnicky ◽  
Radeen A Dixon ◽  
Robert M Kuhn ◽  
Ashty S Karim ◽  
Michael C Jewett

Training the future synthetic biology workforce requires opportunity and exposure to biotechnology concepts and activities in secondary education. Detecting Wolbachia bacteria in arthropods using PCR has become a common way for secondary students to investigate and apply DNA technology in the science classroom. Despite this framework, cutting-edge biotechnologies like CRISPR-based diagnostics have yet to be widely implemented in the classroom. To address this gap, we present a freeze-dried CRISPR-Cas12 sensing reaction to complement traditional DNA technology education and teach synthetic biology concepts. The reactions accurately detect Wolbachia from arthropod-derived PCR samples in under 2 hours and can be stored at room temperature for over a month without appreciable degradation. The reactions are easy-to-use and cost less than $40 to implement for a classroom of 22 students including the cost of reusable equipment. We see this technology as an accessible way to incorporate synthetic biology education into existing biology curriculum, which will expand biology educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea C Burrows ◽  
Mike Borowczak

This study bridges discipline silos between science courses and computer science by indicating how they fit into and complement each other. A study of eight K12 teachers and 26 K12 secondary students participated in a GenCyber (cybersecurity) camp for a week during July 2018. External evaluations of the camp show its success and how cybersecurity fits into science and mathematics classrooms. This GenCyber camp was a five-day introductory camp for middle school and high school teachers and students. The GenCyber camp offered morning modules of CORE instruction, or cyber-oriented reinforced education, with the afternoon focused on differentiated learning adventures for teachers and students in specialized subject options engaging in hands-on labs. Most instruction utilized Micro:bit technology. Teachers and students made explicit connections to chemistry (battery function chemistry, sensors), physics (frequency, particle vs. wave, movement, acceleration, photon detection, magnetic fields), biology (simulating biological behavior, synchronizing, pattern detection) and mathematics (matrix, functions, modeling, unit conversion).


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-355
Author(s):  
Elena Garisonovna Mitina ◽  
Anastasia Vladimirovna Ishchenko

The paper is devoted to the search of alternative ways to update school Biology curriculum. Creation of educational environment at the premises of ecological parks is considered to be an innovative and promising prospective approach that meets contemporary demands and follows central developmental trends of society. Based on the results of practicing Biology teachers poll, we give an expediency analysis of engaging ecological parks educational opportunities for school lessons. According to available data as well as based on the structure and the content of biological education prescribed for secondary school, the authors program Kola Land nature has been developed. The content of our program is an addition to the General program line Biology for 6-9 classes created by V.V. Pasetchnik, it matches the themes of a school Biology course: Biology as a science of vital nature, Cellular structure of organisms, Plant kingdom, Diversity of fauna, Ecosystems. Effectiveness evaluation of the authors educational program Kola Land nature was realized in the ecological park of N.A. Avrorin Polar Alpine Botanical Garden Institute. The obtained data confirm that the program usage as an addition to the basic school Biology course improves the level of its mastering by students.


Author(s):  
Terri L. Kurz ◽  
Barbara Bartholomew ◽  
Amanda Sibley ◽  
Scott Fraser

Using stories in mathematics helps students situate mathematics within a context. This chapter presents an activity for the integration of stories and word problems into an algebra course designed for pre-service teachers. The pre-service teachers designed and created stories using technology (digital cameras and PowerPoint) to support algebraic explorations at the elementary and secondary levels based on the Common Core Standards. A balance of technology, language arts, and mathematics content is possible with these stories. The activity can be extended beyond the university classroom by guiding secondary students in creating their own algebraic stories in the classroom.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. mr1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel E. Tennial ◽  
Erin D. Solomon ◽  
Latanya Hammonds-Odie ◽  
Gary S. McDowell ◽  
Michael Moore ◽  
...  

The Inclusive Environments and Metrics in Biology Education and Research (iEMBER) network is a newly forming national community of practice that engages diversity, equity, and inclusion stakeholders in interdisciplinary collaborative projects. iEMBER was initiated with incubator funding from the National Science Foundation program for Research Coordination Networks in Undergraduate Biology Education. In June 2017, biology education researchers, social scientists, biologists, and program and policy administrators, all with interests in diversity, equity, and inclusion, met to lay the foundation for the iEMBER network. iEMBER provides a distinct forum to coordinate efforts through networking, professional development, and the initiation of collaborative research. iEMBER advances science, technology, engineering, and mathematics reform focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion through the initiation of research teams at the iEMBER biennial conference and outreach efforts at discipline-specific meetings and conferences. The focus of iEMBER is on understanding how to create inclusive, supportive, and engaging environments to foster the success of all biology students and trainees. This report focuses on the structure of the iEMBER network, two takeaways that emerged from the 2017 conference (interdisciplinary networking/collaboration and intradisciplinary broadening participation strategies), and ways for prospective members to engage in ongoing dialogue and future events. Learn more at http://iember.org .


2013 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Awang ◽  
Lay Yoon Fah

This paper sets out to examine critically the effects of selected factors contributing to science and mathematics achievement among 8th grade students in Malaysia and Singapore. The Trend in International Science and Mathematics Study (TIMSS) 2007 database was utilized to explore a) if there were correlations between students receiving additional support and/or gaining exposure from academic related enrichment activities at home and schools with their science and mathematics achievement and, b) How well do the knowledge/skills gained from the use of technological tools and Internet contribute towards their science and mathematics achievement among Malaysian and Singaporean Grade 8 students. The sample consists of 4,466 students from Malaysia and 4,599 students from Singapore who participated in the TIMSS 2007 assessment. This study will provide some insights on why some students perform better than others in science and mathematics by highlighting the effect of additional support and/or exposure from academic related enrichment activities at home and schools, and the knowledge/skills gained from the use of technological tools and internet on students’ science and mathematics achievement.


1983 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-53
Author(s):  
P. Rendall

AbstractThis report is a limited evaluation of the Tutorial Assistance program within the Aboriginal Secondary Grants Scheme.Achievement of Aboriginal secondary students receiving tuition was analysed according to several criteria, including sex and the type of school attended. The major findings were: Tutored Aboriginal students had significantly higher achievement than untutored students, in both English and Mathematics.Aboriginal students in boarding schools had significantly higher achievement than those in state schools, regardless of tutoring.There were no significant differences between male and female students.It could not be concluded that tutorial assistance caused the superior performance of tutored students. Student motivation was a highly possible intervening factor, and there are probably many others.In addition, various solutions to the problem of underachievement by Aboriginal students were ranked according to their effectiveness as perceived by people in the tutorial program. Three solutions were judged equally preferable and viable: Employing more Aboriginal teachers, aides and counsellors.Providing tutorial assistance to Aboriginal students.Sensitising non-Aboriginal teachers to the problems faced by Aboriginal students.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. eaat5107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica C. Stark ◽  
Ally Huang ◽  
Peter Q. Nguyen ◽  
Rachel S. Dubner ◽  
Karen J. Hsu ◽  
...  

Foods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioanna Mantzourani ◽  
Antonia Terpou ◽  
Athanasios Alexopoulos ◽  
Eugenia Bezirtzoglou ◽  
Stavros Plessas

In the present study the effect of innovative biocatalysts as starter cultures in sourdough bread making was explored. The biocatalysts consisted of Lactobacillus paracasei K5 and Lactobacillus bulgaricus ATCC 11842 (in single and mixed form), immobilized on delignified wheat bran (DWB), and freeze dried without cryoprotectants. The parameters monitored were physicochemical characteristics, mold and rope spoilage appearance, volatile composition, and organoleptic characteristics. Results obtained showed that both biocatalysts exhibit good fermentative activity. However, the best results were achieved when freeze-dried immobilized L. paracasei K5 was applied as a single culture. In particular, the produced bread had a higher acidity (8.67 mL 0.1 N NaOH) and higher organic load (2.90 g/kg lactic acid and 1.11 g/kg acetic acid). This outcome was the main reason why this bread was preserved more regarding mold spoilage (14 days) and rope spoilage (12 days), respectively. In addition, the employment of freeze-dried immobilized L. paracasei K5 led to bread with better aromatic profile in terms of concentrations and number of volatile compounds produced as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis proved. Finally, no significant differences were observed through sensorial tests. Last but not least, it should be highlighted that the used microorganisms were cultured in cheese whey, minimizing the cost of the proposed biotechnological procedure.


2009 ◽  
Vol 1233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona M. Goodchild ◽  
Maria O. Aguirre

AbstractThis talk will reflect on the challenges of designing educational opportunities that broaden diversity in the ranks of future scientists and engineers. The speaker, who is Education Director at the California Nanosystems Institute (CNSI) at the University of California, Santa Barbara, will report on the design and evaluation of a program that integrates academic, career and social components to engage a community of undergraduates, graduate mentors and research faculty at UCSB. The program builds on key practices such as academic mentorship, community networking and early undergraduate research. Evaluation of this program, Expanding Pathways to Science, Engineering and Mathematics (EPSEM) indicates that it has been successful in recruiting and retaining students from under-represented (URM) groups into science, technology, engineering and math disciplines (STEM disciplines).


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