Agricultural News
Oklahoma Teacher Among Those Selected to Pilot New Classroom Resource on Biotechnology
Tue, 27 Sep 2016 16:12:35 CDT
Four educators, including Ginger Reimer of Claremore, Oklahoma, have been selected to pilot new resources for "Bringing Biotechnology to Life," a free educational resource that aims to facilitate learning about agricultural biotechnology and its role in food production. This educational resource was originally launched by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture and the International Food Information Council Foundation at the World Food Prize 2015 Borlaug Dialogue international symposium.
Along with Reimer, Amy Dawson of Paragould, Arkansas; Christy Reynolds of Camden, Arkansas; and Melissa Smith of Alpena, Michigan will pilot the new resources this year. They each also will receive a $100 credit to the Foundation's resource store at www.agfoundation.org.
"Our goal is to help consumers understand the impact biotechnology makes on agriculture and our lives through this fact- and research-based resource that has been reviewed by an array of scientists," said Julie Tesch, executive director of the Foundation. "This science-based classroom resource includes applicable lessons to provide students with the tools they need to make informed decisions about the practical uses of biotechnology."
The resource includes seven sequential lesson plans for educators which address national learning standards for 7th to 10th grade students. Lessons focus on topics including the following:
- What is DNA?
- How can we examine DNA?
- What is Selective Breeding?
- What is Biotechnology?
- The Technology of Life
- How is Biotechnology Used?
- How do researchers compare DNA?
- Where would we be without GMOs?
A research and public presentation module also is included to encourage students to take what they have learned and present it to an audience outside the classroom.
"Bringing Biotechnology to Life guides learners through the process of understanding DNA, selective breeding, biotechnology and GMOs," Tesch said. "In addition, students are presented with tools to evaluate the reliability of information they see and hear."
The new Next Generation Science Standards-aligned instructional supports include:
- Student pre/post assessments
- Accommodations for students struggling to meet performance expectations
- Strategies for English language learners
- Enrichments for students who have already met performance expectations
- Strategies for connecting learning to students' home and community
- Self-reflection tools
- Enhanced rubrics for assessment
"Today's students are our future leaders," said Kimberly Reed, president of the International Food Information Council Foundation. "We thank the teachers who are preparing them to address the world's most challenging issues, including those in Goal 2 of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture." Further, "World leaders are committed to achieving the SDGs by 2030, and our congratulations goes to the educators selected to pilot the new resources, as we believe biotechnology is critical for world's transformation and success."
The Bringing Biotechnology to Life Version 1.0 learning kit is available for download at no cost here or here. Look for Version 2.0 in early 2017.
Source - American Farm Bureau Federation
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