Mission
Train Lone Star College-Kingwood students and Quest High School students to teach K-6 children the principles of everyday biotechnology using hands-on activities.
Outcome
Produce sustainable service learning cooperatives with Lone Star College-Kingwood, Quest High School of Humble ISD, and area elementary and middles schools. Have a turnkey program for bringing biotechnology education into the elementary and middle schools. The Lone Star College–Montgomery Biotechnology Program is seeking a partnership with Lone Star College-Kingwood to expand the program.
Background
Biotechnology is one of the fastest growing areas of science having major impacts on everyday life. A simple trip to the grocery store brings people in contact with at least fifty biotechnology developments. All of these developments produce no harm and help reduce the cost of living. Yet, it is unfortunate that a public fear or abhorrence of biotechnology prevents people from recognizing and appreciating the benefits of further advancing biotechnology. In 1996 Dr. Brian Shmaefsky working with the National Association of Biology Teachers developed an effective hands-on curriculum guide for training students about biotechnology using inexpensive inquiry-based experiments. The project was taken up by the Biotechnology Institute and is involved in disseminating the guide at international workshops in which Dr. Shmaefsky is a lead facilitator. In 2001 Dr. Shmaefsky trained a class of general biology students to teach elementary school students biotechnology principles using similar procedures. The demand for these lessons by elementary and middle schoolteachers is prompting the expansion of the project into all the school districts served by Lone Star College-Kingwood.