PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) proposes a teacher education initiative, 'Teaching the Genome Generation'
(TtGG), to provide pre-service high school teachers the content knowledge, teaching strategies, and resources
needed to enhance student learning in genomics, bioethics, and bioinformatics, with an emphasis on math and
data literacy. Our pre-professional development program will provide instruction in the molecular genetics of
personalized medicine, use of bioinformatics tools, incorporating statistics and data analysis, and discussion of
the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) surrounding genetics research. In collaboration with partners in
higher education, up to 32 pre-service teachers per year will participate in a hands-on short course. Pre-service
teachers will also have the opportunity to engage with and practice teaching our curriculum through instructional
methods coursework and student teaching/internships. Our innovative approach weaves three learning
strands—molecular genetics, bioinformatics and bioethics—together within the context of the Next Generation
Science Standards and Common Core Math Standards. The TtGG team will expand dissemination of our content
and short course through significant enhancement of our online resources. A pilot online course will be launched
in late 2020, and a full online program with additional resources accessible through a newly designed TtGG
public facing website will be completed and released by the first quarter of 2022. To evaluate the impact of the
short course, evaluators will administer pre and post surveys to pre-service teacher participants on genetics,
genomics and bioinformatics content knowledge, teacher self-efficacy, and confidence. Evaluators will also
conduct small scale efficacy studies to examine the impact of the TtGG materials on students': a) content
knowledge of genetics, genomics, and applications of mathematics; b) confidence engaging in genomics
concepts, lab activities, and math problems; c) interest in engaging in additional genomics-related behavior,
including academic and career pursuits; and d) ability to explain how and why math skills are required for
practicing life sciences. By training pre-service educators, TtGG will execute on NIH's goal of strengthening the
future STEM workforce through increasing genomic and health literacy.