Interactive tool promises quality time for teachers and students
Huntsville, Ala. – The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology has launched The Progress of Science, a digital timeline that provides an exciting, visual way to interact with biotechnology history. “This online tool showcases many major milestones in the fields of genetics and biotechnology over the past 10,000 years,” said Dr. Neil Lamb, director of educational outreach at HudsonAlpha. The timeline – available at timeline.hudsonalpha.org – places these important discoveries in cultural and historical context.
“It’s a new and much needed resource for science and social studies teachers,” said Steve Ricks, director of the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative. “The Progress of Science timeline is keeping the State Department of Education’s AMSTI on the cutting edge of science instruction.”
The timeline establishes the groundwork for current applications in research, industry and medicine. “As genetics becomes increasingly important to healthcare, industry and public policy, it is imperative that individuals have an understanding of basic concepts,” said Lamb. He added that the online format is easily updated to keep pace with the rapidly evolving fields of genetics and biotechnology.
The online tool was made possible through the generous support of Wesfam Restaurants, Inc./Burger King. “When I first toured the HudsonAlpha facility, I saw this fascinating timeline on a very large wall leading to the laboratory area used for education programs,” said Jean Wessel Templeton, Wesfam chief executive officer. Her interest led to financial assistance in making the timeline available to a worldwide audience.
“It is the hope of our family that this will stimulate and encourage budding scientists everywhere to reach out, embrace research and make new discoveries that will improve the future of all mankind,” noted Wessel Templeton.
Topics presented on the digital timeline are supplemented with background information and links to further resources available on the Web. Articles, animations, interactive activities and classroom curriculums extend a helping hand to students and teachers.
Holly Ralston McClain
hmcclain@hudsonalpha.org
256.327.0425
256.327.0976
The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama, is the cornerstone of the Cummings Research Park Biotechnology Campus. The campus hosts a synergistic cluster of life sciences talent – science, education and business professionals – that promises collaborative innovation to turn knowledge and ideas into commercial products and services for improving human health and strengthening Alabama’s progressively diverse economy. The non-profit institute is housed in a state-of-the-art, 270,000 square-ft. facility strategically located in the nation’s second largest research park. HudsonAlpha has a three-fold mission of genomic research, economic development and educational outreach.
