This project focuses on the learning component by teachers and subsequent implementation of Biotechnology in the classroom. The commitment of the project staff, the National Association of Biology Teachers, EDVOTEK Corporation and school districts toward that end is strong and extends beyond the life of the grant in order to make this a self-sufficient program educationally and financially. Four sets of "mini-courses" per year will be offered to secondary school teachers of biology and chemistry from both public and private schools in conjunction with national, state and regional meetings (e.g. NABT, ACS) as well as special courses such as AP biology and chemistry training program. In addition to the instruction in the concept, the "hands-on" experience in basic procedures will be integrated. Teachers will leave not only with the experience of having done the actual experiments, but with sufficient materials to begin the implementation in their own classrooms. This project builds on previously funded projects which offered four-week biotechnology workshops in several sites around the country. These projects selected and worked with biology and chemistry teachers from secondary schools and colleges who had the potential to become leaders and mentors in their communities in the implementation and integration of biotechnology topics in classroom and laboratories. Cost-sharing equivalent to 80% of the NSF request is provided by NABT, EDVOTEK, Georgetown University and participating school districts.
