Program pairs them with scientists<\/b><\/p>\n
Two Kent teachers are among approximately 30 area science educators who spent part of their summer vacation learning ways to get students more excited about science.<\/p>\n
Kent-Meridian High School teacher Debbie Robins and Kentridge High School teacher Madonna Brinkmann worked beside scientists in research laboratories at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and several other partner sites in Seattle through July 30, part of the center\u2019s Science Education Partnership. The workshop started July 14.<\/p>\n
Designed to help hone teachers\u2019 lab techniques and teaching strategies in the life sciences \u2013 particularly genetics and molecular biology \u2013 the workshop allows teachers to try out a variety of lab experiments they can then take back to the classroom. Robins said she applied to be a part of the program based on references from fellow teachers, and she\u2019s glad she did.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe program\u2019s actually really nice,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been learning some microbiology techniques that we can use in the classroom to kind of get the kids excited about science and make them aware of some of the things that are going on today.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the experiments she\u2019s learning will be especially beneficial because they\u2019re relevant to modern research, preparing students interested in science fields for future careers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very relevant and job-related, especially if they want to be medical researchers,\u201d Robins said.<\/p>\n
Nancy Hutchinson, director of the Science Education Partnership, said increasing interest in science careers is one main goal of the 18-year-old program.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal is for teachers to bring back what they learn over the summer to help jump-start their students\u2019 knowledge of bioscience and research and perhaps kindle their interest in jobs or careers in science,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Hutchinson said science is a difficult subject to teach, and exposing teachers to professional scientists and their real-life research techniques give teachers an advantage in the classroom.<\/p>\n
After a session to learn laboratory basics, the teachers in the workshop spend about half of their time working one-on-one with a scientist-mentor in the lab on projects in line with their interests. Lab work in past workshops has focused on such topics as protein structure, DNA sequencing, yeast genetics and fruit-fly development.<\/p>\n
The other half of the teachers\u2019 time is spent in the Teaching Laboratory at the Hutchinson Center, where they work as a group with master teachers experienced with the Science Education Partnership workshops. During this time, they focus on techniques in the classroom and work to develop curriculum plans for the year.<\/p>\n
Key to the curriculum planning is the program\u2019s science-kit loans. The kits, assembled and maintained at the Hutchinson Center and available to the teachers in their classrooms, contain all the equipment necessary for experiments in such areas as bacterial transformation and fruit-fly genetics.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kids really like it,\u201d Robins said. \u201cIt\u2019s so hands-on and things move around and colors change. They get really excited about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The kits have become popular and widespread in Washington classrooms. Last year, more than 130 teachers and 14,000 Washington students worked with them in their science classes. And Hutchinson said the kits, which cost up to $10,000 each, are very authentic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe send out the real thing,\u201d she said. \u201cThese are not kids\u2019 toys.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to learning and giving access to the kits, the program also provides teachers with surplus lab supplies, access to a multi-media resource library and a $500 stipend and graduate-level credit through the University of Washington.<\/p>\n
Overall, Robins said the workshop has been a good experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fun to interact with other teachers and use my knowledge at a different level,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd hopefully, this will help advance my students\u2019 knowledge and get them more excited about science.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information about the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Science Education Partnership, visit www.frcrc.org.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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