How can I use biotechnology to address a real-world problem?

Transcription

1 Unit Title and Grade Level Unit Rationale Biotechnology Grade 5 In the book Biotechnology Demystified, two statements in the introduction make quite an impact. [With bioengineering] We have our hands in the very clay of life. This technology and its potential should be a part of the education of all of us, because it is changing our world. It is important for CCL 5 th graders to learn about biotechnology because tomorrow s decision-makers, leaders, scientists, politicians, doctors, parents, and consumers will require a firm understanding of the principles of biotechnology, current applications, future implications, and appreciation of the ethical complications that may arise from the use of this technology. One can hardly go a day in which one does not see a newspaper or magazine article, internet story, or some tangible evidence that our newly found understanding of organism genomes is invading human consciousness and life as we know it. Biotechnology is the use of a living organism and technology to solve a problem, perform a task, or create a product. Using a living organism to successfully address a real world problem, perform a task, or create a product will involve a great deal of creativity, cooperation, use of problem solving and critical thinking skills, and responsible risk taking. Students will identify an area in which biotechnology could make a difference. Each student will propose and describe details of how biotechology can be used to make a positive impact in the world. Students will apply their learning about the tools of biotechnology and problem solving skills to create a step-by-step plan of how biotechnologists could make their ideas a reality. Finally, students will identify an individual, organization or company that would be interested in reading their ideas. The student s project, with an introductory salutation created by the student, will be forwarded to the individual, organization or company. Unit Essential Questions Unit KUD How can I use biotechnology to address a real-world problem? Know Biotechnology is the use of a living organism (or living organisms) and technology to better the world in some way. Understand System, and even parts of systems, impact each Do The student will identify a problem that the student believes biotechnology can effectively address or the student will identify a product that the student believes biotechnology can effectively create. The student will research the problem or product idea. The

2 student will propose a way in which biotechnology could address the problem or create a new product and will explain how this proposal could/will be put into action. The student will identify an individual, organization or company that might be interested in the student s proposed use of biotechnology. The student will send the proposal to the identified entity. Unit Final Performance Task Unit Lesson Overview The unit performance task is for students (individually or in pairs or groups of three) to create a project applying what they have learned about biotechnology, explore an area of interest, and propose a use of biotechnology that would solve a problem, create a new product, and/or perform a task. On the unit project PowerPoints, students provide a description of the problem the project addresses, current interventions to help the problem, research in this area of biotechnology, step-by-step instructions for using the tools of biotechnology to carry out the plan, possible advantages and negative outcomes of the idea, a summary, and works consulted. Students will attempt to reach a wider audience by making contact with a person, organization or company that could make the biotechnology idea a reality. Unit Lesson Overview BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 1 INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS Know Biotechnology is the use of a living organism and technology to solve a problem, perform a task, or create a product with the objective being to improve human life. Do Explain in what areas biotechnology is being used. Share areas which are personally most interesting/intriguing/captivating and why these areas caught your interest. BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 2 ANATOMY OF LIFE FROM CELLS DOWN TO GENES Know Genes are sections of DNA. Coiled up DNA is what makes chromosomes. Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes. It appears that only 3% of our DNA has purpose. Do Describe the anatomy of life from cell > nucleus > chromosomes > DNA (with its base pair sequence) > genes. Using systems thinking, theorize how scientists who research and try to prevent, cure, or treat particular genetic diseases have been impacted with this connection of disease and particular chromosomes.

3 BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 3 SEQUENCE, GENETIC MUTATIONS, AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMAN GENOME PROJECT Know When a base is out of sequence, this is called a mutation. Not all mutations are bad. Some are improvements. Others (most) mutations don t matter because most of our DNA is appears to provide spacing between genes. Parts make the whole. Sometimes a broken part doesn t affect the whole. Sometimes a broken part is catastrophic for the whole. Do Provide an example of how one gene mutation can profoundly impact a whole organism. Theorize the implications of genetic testing. BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 4 DNA DOUBLE HELIX STRUCTURE CREATE A DNA MODEL Know DNA is composed of particular parts (helices, ribose sugar / phosphate backbone, nitrogen bases, hydrogen bonds) and has a certain uniformity of structure. Do Build an accurately decoded oxytocin model. Consider what might result if the model were the actual code for the oxytocin protein. Would oxytocin be correctly formed and function properly? How do you know? BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 5 SEEING IS BELIEVING! EXTRACTING AND SPOOLING OUR OWN DNA. SYSTEMS THINKNING FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND THE OUTSIDE IN. Know What DNA looks like to the naked eye. Do Use systems thinking to hypothesize how a misfolded protein can impact a variety of systems. BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 6 HOW DNA WORKS HOW PROTEINS ARE MADE BIOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS Know DNA replicates (typically) in a very organized manner. DNA works by leading to the production of proteins.

4 Do Explain the translation and transcription process for protein synthesis. Describe an area of genetic technology interest and who/what might be impacted by this technology. BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 7 INTRODUCE GENERAL GENETIC MODIFICATION AND HOW TO DETERMINE SUCCESS Know Principles of genetic modification or genetic engineering. How the success or failure of genetic modification or genetic engineering is determined. Do Discuss the possible consequences or impacts of use of this genetic modification. BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 8 TOOLS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY Know The tools of biotechnology include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloning, stem cell applications, genetic engineering and gene therapy. Do Explain what PCR, cloning, genetic engineering, gene therapy and stem cells are. Give an example of how each tool of biotechnology is used. Use systems thinking to describe how each tool can be used to solve a problem, create a product, or perform a task. BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 9 BIOTECHNOLOGY S INTERACTIONS WITH SYSTEMS Know System interactions occur at every level. Systems interact within biotechnology. Biotechnology is having a profound effect on other systems and other systems have a profound effect on biotechnology. Do Use systems thinking to map interactions between biotechnology and five other systems. These systems are healthcare, economy, environment, food production, and international relations. BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 10 FIELD TRIP TO BRDG PARK AT THE DONALD DANFORTH PLANT SCIENCE CENTER (Former Field Trip Location) Know - Scientists who work in a lab use specific tools to carry out

5 experiments. Special techniques are required to use the tools correctly and to insure that experiments can be replicated by others. Micropipettes are used to accurately transfer minute amounts of liquid. Mortar and pestle can be used to grind down substances to break cell walls and release DNA. Polymerase chain reaction is used to make millions of copies of a gene in a very short amount of time. A column is a tool that separates a mixture into its component parts. Gel electrophoresis allows the scientist to separate and analyze macromolecules (DNA, RNA and proteins) and their fragments, based on their size and charge, often for identification purposes. Understand - Systems, and even parts of systems, impact each Do - Use the tools and methods of biotechnologists to carry out a variety of lab activities. BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 11 BEGIN UNIT PROJECT WHAT S THE PROBLEM?! Know - Biotechnology is the use of a living organism to solve a problem, perform a task, or create a product. Using a living organism to successfully address a real world problem, perform a task, or create a product will involve a great deal of creativity, cooperation, use of problem solving and critical thinking skills, and responsible risk taking. Understand - Systems, and even parts of systems, impact each Do - Identify an area in which biotechnology could make a difference. Is your goal to solve a problem, perform a task, or create a product? Begin contemplating how biotechnology could make an impact. BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 12 INTRODUCTION TO FINAL PROJECT SPECIFICS (PROJECT GUIDE AND CRITERIA) CONTINUE GATHERING INFORMATION WORK ON THE PROBLEM & SYSTEMS AFFECTED Know - Biotechnology is the use of a living organism to solve a problem, perform a task, or create a product. Using a living organism to successfully address a real world problem, perform a task, or create a product will involve a great deal of creativity, cooperation, use of problem solving and critical thinking skills, and responsible risk taking. Understand - Systems, and even parts of systems, impact each Do - Identify an area in which biotechnology could make a difference. Begin organizing ideas and information to complete The

6 Problem slide. Segue from The Problem in to Systems Affected by the problem. Systems Analyses should be comprehensive and thoroughly analyzed. BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 13 SLIDE 8 BIOTECHNOLOGY IS THE SOLUTION Know Successfully addressing real world problems through the application of biotechnology will involve a great deal of creativity, cooperation, competition, money, understanding of advanced molecular biology and chemistry, use of problem solving and critical thinking skills, and risk taking. Understand People working together with a common goal can make a positive impact on a problem. People sharing information can lead to faster discoveries. People working competitively can sometimes be beneficial. Do Apply your learning about the tools of biotechnology and problem solving skills to create a step-by-step plan of how biotechnologists could make your idea a reality. BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 14 WORK ON UNIT PROJECT: ADVANTAGES AND POSSIBLE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF MY IDEA Know Biotechnology is a new science. Purposefully manipulating the genome of a living organism is not to be taken lightly. Many individuals, groups, and organizations are very much against genetic modification. Sometimes, when we play with nature or play with the nature of things, we can cause unexpected consequences to occur. Understand Systems and even parts of systems impact each Do Analyze your biotechnology project idea from the eyes of a skeptic. Analyze the perspective of people, animals, plants, habitats and environments that might be negatively impacted by your biotechnology project idea. Critique your idea through the eyes of a biotechnologist ethicist BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 15 WORK TO COMPLETE FINAL PROJECT Know Doing a project well takes time, effort, and patience. After putting information into a project, you need to read over the information with a critical eye and make necessary changes to improve your work. You need to be certain that each part of your project addressed the expectations described in the Project Guide. Work needs to be checked against the Criteria that will be used for evaluating your work.

7 Do Create the best possible message you are capable of creating on this project by honestly assessing the quality and quantity of content shared, comparing your work to the expectations found in the project guide, and using the assessment tool for critically evaluating your own work. Use your critical thinking skills to make necessary changes and improvements to your work. BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK 16 SHARE PROJECT WITH CLASSMATES PREPARE FOR PROCESS & PROJECT NIGHT UNIT POST-ASSESSMENT AND SURVEY THE FUTURE! Know At the CCL we study real world problems. Each of the topics you have studied during your time at the CCL was a real world problem that will continue to affect the lives of many people, animals, and habitats after you leave the unit. Though you move on, the problems still exist. Do Explain how you will continue to stay involved with the problems/issues you addressed and those you were made aware of in this class after leaving biotechnology.