March 30, 2015
More than 100 secondary students in Kelowna are getting a unique and rare experience inside the world of genomics and genetics this week. Genome BC’s Geneskool will be running classroom workshops at Immaculata Catholic School to introduce students to realms of science not currently encompassed in their ongoing curriculum. Scientists will lead students through tailor-made experiments and activities exploring genetics, inheritance, mutations, DNA structure, function and extraction and DNA gel electrophoresis.
Genomics is an information science that is increasingly becoming more important as every living organism on the planet has a genome. This program will help inspire the next generation of researchers. Students will learn what a genome is: an organism’s complete set of DNA – basically a blueprint for an organism’s structure and function. They will also learn what genomics is: the science that aims to decipher and understand the entire genetic information of an organism (i.e. plants, animals, humans, viruses and microorganisms) encoded in DNA.
“Molecular biology is an integral part of our natural world,” says Sally Greenwood, Vice President, Communications and Education at Genome BC. “The Genome BC Geneskool program offers students a chance to use advanced laboratory technology and techniques to see the tiny world that exists at the microbial level while learning, having fun and garnering a greater appreciation of the world around us.”
The Genome BC Geneskool volunteers, scientist presenters from UBC’s Let’s Talk Science program, are often MSc and PhD candidates who share their motivation and passion for science with the students.
The Genome BC Geneskool programs have been active in communities throughout BC for almost a decade and embrace the mantra that nowhere is too far or too small to visit. The program also shares science in a mobile fashion with creative Genome BC Geneskool Travelling Suitcase Exhibits full of portable displays and hands on activities and materials. These exhibits are shipped up, down, across and around the province so that they are accessible to all teachers throughout BC who use them in their classrooms to enhance the current curriculum.
“I don’t think we can underestimate the need to promote science to the next generation,” says Dr. Alan Winter, President & CEO of Genome BC. “The opportunities being presented through scientific research are fundamental to BC’s future prosperity and it is my belief that the resources offered by Genome BC Geneskool, which can be
found on our website at www.genomebc.ca/education, could otherwise be inaccessible information by students and teachers.”
