Educators from the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and Alabama high schools presented hands-on workshops this week at the National Association of Biology Teachers Professional Development Conference in Cleveland, Ohio.
The National Association of Biology Teachers conference brings together leaders in biology and life science education for four days of renowned speakers, hands-on workshops, and more than 200 informative sessions and special events. HudsonAlpha Vice President for Educational Outreach Neil Lamb, Ph.D., and Educational Outreach team members Jennifer Carden, Madelene Loftin and Dasi Price presented to attendees educational content developed as part of the institute’s education mission to foster a genomic literacy in the workforce and community.
“Participating in national meetings such as NABT is a wonderful way to share our Educational Outreach activities with a broader audience,” Lamb said. “In addition, it keeps us plugged in to the professional community of science educators.” The HudsonAlpha team presented
- A discussion based on the 2014-15 Biotechnology Discoveries and Applications guidebook, published by Lamb and HudsonAlpha to make recent findings in biotechnology understandable and applicable
- The hands-on workshop “Round Holes and Square Pegs: How do traditional Biology activities fit into Next Generation Science Standards?” led by Jennifer Carden and Dasi Price
- The hands-on workshop “They Come in Pairs: Using Socks to Identify and Address Student Misconceptions about Chromosomes,” led by Madelene Loftin, presented in partnership with Carolina Biological Supply Company.
Additionally, five Alabama life science educators accompanied the HudsonAlpha team, made possible through the generosity of HudsonAlpha supporters. Attending educators were
- Mary Busbee, St. Clair County High School, Odenville, Ala.
- Douglas Glenn, Hazel Green High School, Hazel Green, Ala.
- Brooks Moss, South Lamar High School, Millport, Ala.
- Sloan Smith, Austin High School, Decatur, Ala.
- Virginia Stephens, Smiths Station Freshman Center, Smiths Station, Ala.
