Back to grants list     Part I. Applicant and Project Information   Title of project: Embedding Biotechnology into WHS Science Curriculum 9-12 Project manager: Ann Ritchie School: High School Curriculum: Science   Part II: Grant proposal   Summary: Due to a recent retirement, our Biotechnology course was offered for the last time in 2021-2022. When this upper level course was active, it required students to have taken Biology, Chemistry and Physics before enrolling and, while popular, only serviced approximately 48 students per year. Science faculty recently met to identify curriculum needs 9-12. A clear trend emerged: the desire to incorporate biotechnology techniques into virtually every life science course, thereby creating a biotech learning pathway that could become more sophisticated as it progressed. Towards this department goal, I request funds to implement a sequence of biotechnology learning experiences spanning all learning levels from CP to AP and grades 9 through 12. Working with teachers, I will design a learning pathway, starting with biotechnology basics such as DNA gel electrophoresis and concluding with sophisticated protocols such as PCR, with the goal that students be inspired to ask their own questions and carry out collaborative investigations of their own design using technology found at the university level. The Boston/Cambridge area is a biotech world capital. Exposing our students to this discipline would expand awareness of post-secondary opportunities ranging from community college certificate programs in biotechnology, to PhD level industry and research careers. I am unaware of any other high school taking on this ambitious goal of embedding biotechnology into every level and grade of the student science experience. However, based on my background establishing and teaching a bioengineering course at FHS made possible through community partnerships—and with the enthusiasm for this initiative already expressed by science faculty—I am confident we can achieve this goal with WFEE support. Supporting Link: Article about FHS Biotech Initiative https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/country-gazette/2015/05/19/company-helped-build-high-school/34530273007/   Part III: Grant Amount Supplies: $7,933.00 Equipment: $51,822.00 Personnel: $0.00   Total costs: $59,755.00 Back to grants list