Genomics education for decision making : proceedings of the second invitational workshop on genomics education, 2–3 December 2010, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Advances in genomics research and technology generate new personal and societal
choices. As science education has the task of preparing students for decision-making
on socio-scientific issues, research is needed to develop genomics education aimed at
empowering students in the decision-making process.
At the Freudenthal Institute for Science and Mathematics Education in Utrecht, a
research project is running to inform education for decision-making using knowledge on
genetic testing practices, decision-making, technological change and student reasoning.
This educational research is financed through the Netherlands Genomics Initiative (NGI,
http://www.genomics.nl), which coordinates the activities of 16 genomics centres. A
substantial part of this funding is earmarked for communication and educational activities
through the Centre for Society and Genomics (CSG, http://www.society-genomics.
nl). Among these outreach activities are six mobile DNA laboratories run by six of the
genomics centres, each with content related to the research of that centre. The mobile
DNA laboratories visit secondary schools free of charge and provide hands-on experience
to both students and teachers using advanced equipment. The practical work is taught
by trained students studying for a Bachelor or Masters degree in life sciences at the
participating universities. Accompanying teaching materials help teachers to introduce
the practical work and to reflect afterwards with students on scientific and societal issues
related to the experiments. The link between genomics research, educational research and
educational design is one of the strong characteristics of this educational innovation, and
mobile laboratories clearly help to bridge the gap between scientific practice and school
science. Research on genomics education is closely linked to these DNA laboratories,
and new strategies are tested in lessons following the laboratory practice and in teacher
training related to the laboratories
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