Spring 2021 Seminars
Seminar 4
Friday, April 30, 2021, 4:00 PM
Virtual Event
BioBits: Building Accessible Hands-on Biology Classroom Activities with Freeze-Dried Cell-Free Technology
Abstract:
Hands-on lab experiences improve student outcomes and engagement in STEM classes, but activities involving living biological materials require specialized equipment and expertise, limiting the accessibility of these activities to classrooms with significant material resources. To expand accessibility, we developed freeze-dried, cell-free kits (BioBits® kits). BioBits® kits are uniquely inexpensive, user friendly, safe, and have real-time visual readouts that students can see. Students simply need to rehydrate the reactions by adding water with DNA and the BioBits® reaction will express the protein encoded by the DNA. Our experiences and findings with prototyping, pilot testing, and implementing these activities in classrooms suggest that synthetic biology-based BioBits® kits have the potential to increase accessibility to molecular biology education among high school student groups.
Presenters:
Dr. Ally Huang
Co-developer of BioBits Project
Event Live Stream
Seminar 3
Friday, March 26, 2021, 4:00 PM
Virtual Event
Topic: Fixing the Leak in the STEM Pipeline at Canutillo ISD
Abstract:
Our vision at Canutillo ISD is that by year 2023 all students will have the opportunity to enroll in more advanced mathematics courses at the high school level by completing Algebra I in middle school. Algebra has often been referred to as a “gatekeeper” to higher learning- both in mathematics and in other fields.
Canutillo's data shows that students who complete Algebra I in middle school are four times more likely to receive a college degree and six times more likely to specialize in a STEM field. The question is no longer if they should take algebra but rather when students should take algebra. Traditionally, students take algebra in ninth grade. Only students who show exceptional talent in mathematics are offered the opportunity to complete it in the eighth grade.
Today, more than 75% of our 6th grade students are enrolled in an advanced math pathway - completing at least Algebra I before they leave middle school. This presentation will share Canutillo's journey in increasing access and enrollment to advanced high school math.
Presenters:
Yirah Valverde Ph.D.
Mathematics Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator
Canutillo Independent School District