Wootton High School Houses DNA Teaching Lab
As >Rockville Central readers may have noticed over the years, in my view one of the major problems facing the nation is our citizenry’s lack of basic numeracy and understanding of science concepts. (For instance, even a quick look at the “balloon boy” story should have shown authorities that there was no way that a boy could have been on the floating “UFO” but instead they wasted a huge amount of resources on a wild goose chase . . . but I digress.)
So, I was delighted to read this morning in the Washington Post about an effort to ensure Montgomery County public high school teachers stay up to daye when it comes to biotechnology. I was even more delighted to learn that the program is housed at our own Wootton High School!
Here’s the deal from the article:
In many school districts, teachers have to take it upon themselves to keep up to date with late-breaking research and translate it into their classrooms; in Montgomery, they get help. . . . The school system’s DNA Resource Center has developed nine lab experiments that teach biotechnology concepts. The center is funded by six-figure annual grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, managed by a handful of part-time staff members and housed at Thomas S. Wootton High School in a supply room filled with pipettes and flasks. The center staff trains teachers to use the lab activities in their classrooms and delivers all of the equipment and consumable materials that the exercises require.
The DNA Resource Center, which dates to the 1980s, has primarily served Montgomery County’s high schools. Beginning in the spring, it will expand into middle schools. Seventh-grade teachers will be trained in biotechnology concepts and activities, such as DNA gel electrophoresis, that once were reserved for advanced science courses.
How cool is that! I am excited to hear that this program is being expanded so that middle school teachers can stay on top of latest biotech developments too.
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That is so wonderful. The earlier that kids are exposed to these things, the more likely they are to develop an interest. It is also wonderful that the teachers are given the tools to do their jobs. Kudos to HHMI for their support and kudos to Montgomery County for supporting their teachers with this program.