This project is a three year program that includes 1) the training of ten new two-member "Mentor Teacher" teams, and 2) a series of twenty three, two-week workshops led by 16 Mentor Teacher teams. Mentor Teachers are previous participants in NSF sponsored leadership development projects in human genetics and bioethical decision-making held at Ball State University and conducted by the staff of the Human Genetics and Bioethics Educational Laboratory (HGABEL). Six, two-member, Mentor Teacher teams were trained with previous NSF funding. The training of ten new teams will take place during the summers of 1991 and 1992 at Ball State University. The Mentor Teacher led workshops will take place, nationwide, during the summers of 1991, 1992, and 1993. These workshops will be based upon an effective model workshop that was developed, tested, and evaluated by Mentor Teachers and HGABEL staff during three previous workshops involving 54 teachers and over 5300 students. The purpose of this program is to prepare over 550 high school biology teachers to 1) instruct their students about concepts in human genetics, and 2) develop student skills in bioethical decision making. Workshops will emphasize hands- on experiences, many of which are directly applicable to the classroom. Other pedagogical strategies employed will involve contemporary learning cycles and classroom behavior modeling by the Mentor Teachers. An amount equal to 62% of the NSF award will be provided as cost sharing.
