This project addresses the issue of improving STEM education by: 1) preparing STEM high school teachers to deliver 21st Century science skills and leadership in the burgeoning area of biotechnology and attracting high school students into these same STEM areas while increasing our understanding of the features of hands-on, authentic research curricula that affect educational outcomes. The program addresses these issues by creating extensive, highly participatory, authentic research experiences in biotechnology using microbial genomics as the main theme. Students and teachers are engaged in hands-on projects that address real-world and current research questions that contribute to scientific knowledge.  100% of the teachers who responded to our annual survey assessed the value of this STEM program as Outstanding.

Principal Investigator: Dr. David Rhoads

Resources:

• iPlant Teacher Research Fellowship
• iPlant Collaborative website
• BIO5