Science in Motion, the high school component of the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI), is getting a boost from HudsonAlpha. Under the direction of Dr. Neil Lamb, director of educational outreach for HudsonAlpha, four new and one modified genetics/biotechnology labs will be introduced to meet high school learning objectives relating to DNA, chromosomes and genes.

According to Lamb, writing and developing the labs should be completed in February. “We’ll preview the labs and continue pilot training a group of teachers through the end of the school year.” He noted that two high school science educators are working with him to develop the labs: Jennifer Carden from Hoover High School and Leah McRae of Bob Jones High School. “These are excellent teachers with a good grasp of the biotech and genetics fields and who understand how to best deliver those fields to the teachers of Alabama,” Lamb remarked.

Each lab poses a question a researcher or physician would ask as part of his or her daily routine, such as:

• How are some genetic forms of cancer diagnosed?
• How are infectious diseases identified/diagnosed?
• How can you tell if foods have been genetically modified?

Additionally, a case study will mirror each lab activity. Profiles of biotech professionals relating to the lab -- such as a genetic counselor, food service technician or diagnostic lab worker, will further help students envision themselves as part of this growing segment of Alabama’s economy.

“Science in Motion provides teachers with the lessons, equipment and the ability to teach this cutting-edge science with hands-on approaches that would likely be otherwise out-of-reach,” said Carden. “Needless to say, I am very enthusiastic about this endeavor and what it will mean to the students and teachers across the state.”

These labs meet state-mandated course of study requirements for more than one class. “In other words,” said Lamb, “they could be useful to an introductory ninth grade biology class, an eleventh grade genetics course and a senior level AP biology group. There are also links to anatomy and physiology, environmental science and forensics.”

Lamb noted that each Science in Motion hub location – there are 11 across the state – will receive the equipment needed for these labs and enough consumables to deliver each lab to about 10 classrooms for the 2008 and 2009 school years. This also gives the Science in Motion regional biology heads time to incorporate reagents into their budgets going forward. Funding is provided directly from HudsonAlpha and through a U.S. Department of Labor workforce development grant.

I know that with the help of HudsonAlpha, students across the state will have the opportunity to learn more about what biotechnology is and to open their horizons to the thousands of possibilities that exist within this fast-growing field.

Jennifer Carden
science teacher, Hoover High School