NASA and Biotechnology – Professional Development for Secondary Teachers

Abstract

An integral part of enhancing science education is training teachers in current content and techniques, and biotechnology is one of the technologies that will be needed to maintain living systems in space. The BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTC Institute) offered two graduate education courses in biotechnology for teachers during summer 2012. Each weeklong course was held at the BioPharmaceutical Technology Center. Biotechnology: The Basics and Biotechnology: Beyond the Basics provided teachers with training, background and curriculum materials including information about NASA and biotechnology. Teachers of a wide variety of subjects with varied levels of teaching experience were active participants in this lab-based learning. They are now prepared to provide similar opportunities for their students.