Professional development workshop

Teachers, join pgEd for a one-day interdisciplinary and interactive workshop about ethical and social issues related to genetics! Current high school students are among the first generation that will have unprecedented access to information about their DNA. How can we prepare students to make informed choices for themselves and for society? We will explore how genetics intersects with issues of social justice, and as genetic technologies become more widespread, how our society can ensure that education about and access to this information is available to all people.

Through workshop-style sessions, we will look at examples of the hopes, realities and controversies in personal genetics. We will start with an overview: Why is genetics getting more personal? How will new technologies impact society?

We create interactive lessons that engage students in discussions about the potential benefits and implications of knowing more about your DNA, as well as ways in which they could be impacted. We will explore the real-world impacts on people and the choices they may face.

Topics include: Introduction to personal genetics, the intersection of athletics and genetics, reproductive genetics, the American eugenics movement, DNA, crime and law enforcement, as well as strategies for facilitating personal and sometimes difficult conversations.

Content Areas: Biology, Social Studies, Health, Law, Government, and Bioethics (all content teachers welcome); grades 8 – 12, college professors welcome

Cost: Free

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For more information, email Lauren Tomaselli at ltomaselli@pged.med.harvard.edu, or call (617) 432-1797.

Some comments from teachers about a workshop we did at the New Hampshire Science Teachers’ Association Spring Conference:

“Best workshop of the day, excellent intro to topic, knowledgeable presenters, informative, most intellectually stimulating of day,” “Great, fabulous, doing activities right away,” “Awesome.”