Teachers, however, initially have difficulty using biotechnology laboratories with their students. These teachers must overcome a variety of impediments, such as time constraints and a lack of necessary equipment and supplies. This follow-up support enables teachers to transfer successfully into the classroom what they have learned from the biotechnology workshops, as well as giving students direct exposure to the current uses and the future of biotechnology. Of course, for most students this will enlighten their daily lives and hopefully allow them to make conscientious decisions regarding biotechnological issues. However, for a few students, this exposure may influence them to pursue a career in a biotechnology-related field.
Students take DNA from a firefly and insert it into bacteria.
Students learn the significance of genetic engineering, not only towards bacteria, but also toward plants, animals and humans. Crime Scene Investigation Students are given a scenerio of a crime which has occurred and are asked to solve the mystery with the evidence left at the crime scene. A step-wise reasoning process is followed where students microscopically observe hair samples, do a blood typing experiment and conclude the activity with a DNA fingerprint analysis. After evaluating the evidence, a student-directed court case determines the guilt or innocence of various suspects. Samples are collected from all of the students and assayed for the presence or absence of viral proteins.