This project, in Genetics and Biotechnology, is a four year program that includes a Summer Institute, held at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and a series of local, 1- 2 week, outreach workshops conducted by lead teachers. The target audience is secondary biology teachers, with strong emphasis on the high school level. Teachers in rural communities and teachers of minority students will be specifically targeted. The Summer Institute offers a series of one and two week workshops, so that participants can choose their areas of interest. 120 participants will be accommodated in the Summer Institutes each year. 10 lead teachers will be recruited each year, from these participants, and will be trained to conduct 1-2 week local workshops and to serve as local resource teachers. Logistical support for these efforts will be provided by a developing network of regional support centers based at University of Wisconsin System campuses throughout the state. Significant local cost sharing will be solicited to support the local outreach efforts. It is anticipated that over 1,000 participants will be served by local outreach workshops. The specific objectives of the program are: a. to enhance and update teachers' background in genetics and the biotechnology of genetic engineering, b. to provide effective curriculum and teaching strategies, c. to facilitate transfer of content and process restructuring into the classroom, d. to develop science education leadership in teachers, e. to develop strategies to make science education particularly relevant to rural populations and minorities. An amount equal to 43% of NSF cost will be provided as cost share.
