9618058 Thiel This is a three-year project to create a series of microbiologically-based modules with appropriate instructional materials for teachers. The high quality instructional materials are to reflect a real-world focus and relate to the industrial applications of biology. One goal of this proposal is to make science accessible and interesting to all high school students, regardless of their academic abilities or career goals. A primary objective is to involve academic and industrial scientists with educators in the development of an innovative, real-world science program designed to engage high school students, especially from historically underrepresented groups, in the process of scientific inquiry. The eight modules are designed to be used in life science classes to teach fundamental concepts of biology. This hands-on curriculum with a science, technology, and society focus, is to be developed as a collaborative effort between secondary school teachers, university scientists and science educators, and microbiology consultants from St. Louis-based industries.
