Thursday, October 30 8:00–9:00 AM

Biotechnology and Today's Cash Crops

Westin Charlotte, Harris

"Roundup Ready" and the price of jeans; "Golden Rice" and a world that sees better—join in a lively session full of quality teaching strategies that focus on the importance of agriculture in our everyday lives.

Presenter(s): Louise W. Lamm (North Carolina Farm Bureau: Raleigh, NC); Ellen B. Gould (North Carolina Farm Bureau: Raleigh, NC)

FORMAT: Workshop
SUBJECT: Biology
GRADE LEVEL: General
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Thursday, October 30 12:30–1:30 PM

Biotechnology and Environmental Risk: Project Learning Tree's New Secondary Program

Westin Charlotte, Harris

Using new activities and case studies, participants will explore biotechnology from an environmental and societal perspective. Each participant will receive the PLT Environmental Risk Module and Biotechnology Supplement.

Presenter(s): Al Stenstrup (American Forest Foundation: Washington, DC); Renee Strnad (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC)

FORMAT: Workshop
SUBJECT: Environmental Science
GRADE LEVEL: High School-College/Informal Education
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Thursday, October 30 2:00–3:00 PM

Risky Business: Students' Perceptions of the Risks and Benefits of Nanotechnology Applications

Westin Charlotte, Sharon

Discuss strategies for understanding students' perceptions of the risks of emergent nanotechnological applications in biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science.

Presenter(s): Grant E. Gardner (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC); Amy Taylor (University of North Carolina: Wilmington, NC); Jennifer Forrester (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC); Laura Robertson (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC); Denise Krebs (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC); M. Gail Jones (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: General Science
GRADE LEVEL: General
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Thursday, October 30 2:00–3:00 PM

Enzymes and Biotechnology

Westin Charlotte, Harris

The workshop will present four hands-on/demonstration activities, including Lock and Key Enzyme Activity, Induced-Fit Activity, Lactaid and Lactose Intolerance Activity, and Restriction Enzyme Using Plasmid and Jellyfish Gene Activity.

Presenter(s): Mary Phillips (Tulsa Community College: Tulsa, OK)

FORMAT: Workshop
SUBJECT: Biology
GRADE LEVEL: Middle Level
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Thursday, October 30 3:30–4:30 PM

Featured Presentation: Applying the Biotechnology Toolbox Across Industries

Convention Center, Ballroom A

This talk will highlight how the tools of biotechnology can cut across several different industries. Applications of biotechnology to enhance medical treatment, discovery, testing and manufacture of pharmaceuticals, development of novel crop varieties, and enhancement of industrial processes will be featured.

Presenter(s): William E. Schy (Manager, Education and Training Program, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Research Triangle Park, NC)

Bio: Dr. William E. Schy received his PhD in cell biology from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). During his first post-doc at York University in Toronto, his research focused on detecting chemicals that cause mutation. During a second industrial post-doc, he worked at Eli Lilly and Company on the development of the anti-cancer drug Gemzar, helping to determine its mechanism of action. Sales of Gemzar now exceed $1.6 billion per year worldwide.

Schy then relocated to Arizona, where he taught biology for three years at Scottsdale Community College. After moving to North Carolina, he taught biology at Elon University. He later accepted a position as Associate Director of Paternity Analysis for Genetic Design, Inc., a genetic testing laboratory, until the company was sold. While at Genetic Design, he was an expert witness in paternity cases across the United States.

In 1997, Schy came to the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in the Education and Training Program. His duties focus on the center’s support programs for K–12 education, including administering two grants programs; a summer workshop program for teachers; and programs that provide free supplies, lab equipment, and video loans to North Carolina teachers. Over 1,400 North Carolina teachers have attended Biotechnology Center–sponsored teacher workshops, with more than $5.1 million awarded to educational institutions to support biotechnology education across North Carolina.

Schy currently serves in advisory roles to the newly formed Biofuels Center of North Carolina and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and as Chairman of the Bio-based Products Committee for the North Carolina Biomass Council.

FORMAT: Featured Speaker
SUBJECT: General Science
GRADE LEVEL: General
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Thursday, October 30 3:30–4:30 PM

CSI + DNA + NCCAT = Exciting Science in Your Classroom!

Westin Charlotte, Harris

Crime scenes, detective stories, DNA fingerprinting, bullet trajectories, footprint analysis…the world of crime scene investigation is a rich environment for exploring all types of different scientific concepts. Learn about the biotechnology seminars offered at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) and other seminars designed to stimulate intellectual curiosity, creative thinking, inquiry and discussion. NCCAT offers professional development for North Carolina public school teachers on diverse topics…and at no cost to these teachers or their school systems.

Presenter(s): Renee H. Coward (NCCAT: Cullowhee, NC); Julius W. Peter (NCCAT: Cullowhee, NC)

FORMAT: Workshop
SUBJECT: General Science
GRADE LEVEL: Supervision/Administration
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Friday, October 31 8:00–9:00 AM

From Ocean Floor to Lab Bench

Westin Charlotte, Sharon

We will examine a biochemical study of an archaeal enzyme across biology and chemistry classes.

Presenter(s): Eric A. Grunden (Raleigh Charter High School: Raleigh, NC)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: Chemistry
GRADE LEVEL: High School
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Friday, October 31 9:30–10:30 AM

Industrial Biotechnology: Florida's Newest Attraction!

Westin Charlotte, Sharon

Learn how organizations in Florida teamed up to develop and deliver innovative biotechnology curricula and programs to prepare students for careers in Florida's exploding biotechnology industry.

Presenter(s): Tammy Mandell (Florida's Banner Center for Biotechnology: Alachua, FL); Carla Reedy (North Marion High School: Ocala, FL); June Camerlengo (Santa Fe High School: Alachua, FL); Jill Stephens (North Marion High School: Citra, FL)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: Biology
GRADE LEVEL: General
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Friday, October 31 11:00 AM–12:00 PM

Featured Presentation: Biotechnology and the Genomic Era

Convention Center, Ballroom A

The genomic sciences have benefited immensely from biotechnology advances. Technology is helping to propel the advances in genomic sciences, and in return it is being affected by genome sciences and the continual need for technological advances. A number of professional opportunities have been created, and many more are on the horizon. Society is in need of a highly trained workforce that can tackle the technical and social challenges that will be presented by the “Genomic Era.”

Presenter(s): Carla L. Easter (Science Education Specialist, National Human Genome Research Institute/NIH, Bethesda, MD)

Bio:

Dr. Carla L. Easter is an education specialist with the Education and Community Involvement Branch (ECIB) of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). The NHGRI’s mission has expanded to encompass a broad range of studies aimed at understanding the structure and function of the human genome and its role in health and disease. The ECIB provides outreach to diverse communities across the United States. As a bridge between the NHGRI and the general public, ECIB develops and participates in activities that further the outreach activities and efforts of the Institute. These activities, related to science and health education, aim to engage different communities and educate the general public about genetics and its impact on health.

Prior to her current position, Easter was Director of Outreach for Washington University School of Medicine’s Genome Sequencing Center (GSC) in St. Louis, Missouri. The GSC is a world leader in the generation and public dissemination of high-quality genomic sequence. It has also played a major role in the sequencing of the human genome and several other model and biologically important organisms. Before assuming her role as Director of Outreach, Easter was a research associate and instructor in the Department of Education at Washington University.

Easter earned a BS degree in microbiology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a PhD in biology with an emphasis on molecular genetics from the University of California, San Diego.

FORMAT: Featured Speaker
SUBJECT: General Science
GRADE LEVEL: General
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Friday, October 31 12:30–1:30 PM

Alternative Energy Sources: Inquiry-based Activities for Science Classrooms

Westin Charlotte, Sharon

Come get an overview of alternative energy sources (focusing on biofuels) and explore a variety of student-tested, inquiry-based classroom activities on the topic. Handouts.

Presenter(s): Darlene L. Montesanti (The University of North Carolina at Pembroke: Pembroke, NC); Stefanie B. Phillips (Scotland High School: Southern Pines, NC); Keenan E. Locklear (The University of North Carolina at Pembroke: Pembroke, NC); Verneatha Doctor (Fayetteville Technical Community College: Fayetteville, NC); Rachel A. McBroom (The University of North Carolina at Pembroke: Pembroke, NC); Peter A. Wish (The University of North Carolina at Pembroke: Pembroke, NC)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: General Science
GRADE LEVEL: Middle Level-High School
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Friday, October 31 2:00–3:00 PM

Kenan Fellows Biotechnology Curriculum

Westin Charlotte, Sharon

Kenan Fellows Program is collaborating with North Carolina's leading research facilities in biotechnology to develop cutting-edge resources and engage students in North Carolina's fastest growing industry.

Presenter(s): Susan Parry (Kenan Inst. for Eng, Tech & Sci: Raleigh, NC); Tom Knott (Kenan Inst. for Eng, Tech & Sci: Raleigh, NC)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: Biology
GRADE LEVEL: Middle Level-High School
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Friday, October 31 3:30–4:30 PM

Marine Biotechnology Adventure: A New Kind of MBA

Westin Charlotte, Sharon

Learn how UNCW MarineQuest offers secondary students hands-on laboratory and field-based opportunities to appreciate marine biotechnology applications in biofuels, pharmaceuticals, aquaculture, and more.

Presenter(s): Sue M. Kezios (University of North Carolina: Wilmington, NC)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: Biology
GRADE LEVEL: Middle Level-High School/Informal Education
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Friday, October 31 5:00–5:30 PM

The Virtual Biotech Entrepreneur

Charlotte Convention Center, Room 201 A/B

An interdisciplinary capstone project in a biotechnology course allows students to create their own virtual biotech company based on their own biotech invention.

Presenter(s): Shari L. Laprise (Babson College: Babson Park, MA)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: Biology
GRADE LEVEL: General
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Friday, October 31 5:00–6:00 PM

Presenting a High School Biotechnology Course

Westin Charlotte, Sharon

I'll share course outlines, grant tips, labs, lessons, and insights from my 10 years of teaching biotechnology and from summer workshops, including Amgen's Leadership Symposium at Cold Spring Harbor Labs.

Presenter(s): Bruce W. Boller (Bertie High School: Windsor, NC)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: Biology
GRADE LEVEL: High School/Supervision
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Saturday, November 1 8:00–9:00 AM

From NASCAR to Nutrition—The Story of Biotechnology in North Carolina

Westin Charlotte, Providence III

We'll examine the North Carolina bioscience industry, biotech careers and preparation for them, and the role of biotechnology in economic development as illustrated in the Charlotte region.

Presenter(s): Kathleen E. Kennedy (North Carolina Biotechnology Center: RTP, NC); Marjorie Benbow (North Carolina Biotechnology Center: Charlotte, NC)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: Biology
GRADE LEVEL: General
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Saturday, November 1 10:00–10:30 AM

Biopolymers: The Future of Synthetic Fibers and Plastics

Westin Charlotte, Providence III

We'll review current research on the development of new biofibers and bioplastics and examine approaches to foster enthusiasm for the fascinating field of biopolymers.

Presenter(s): David Hinks (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC)

FORMAT: Presentation
SUBJECT: Environmental Science
GRADE LEVEL: Middle Level-College
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine

Saturday, November 1 11:00 AM–12:00 PM

Bioethics in the Grades 6–12 Classroom

Westin Charlotte, Providence III

Ethics is not about teaching morals or values. Ethics is about thinking through how to use information that is available to us; ethics is about "critical thinking." Learn to use case studies, novels, debate, role-playing, mock trials, etc. to explore the ethical dilemmas intrinsic in biotechnology.

Presenter(s): Shawn L. Reintjes (The Science House (Southeast Satellite Office): Jacksonville, NC)

FORMAT: Workshop
SUBJECT: Biology
GRADE LEVEL: Middle Level-High School
CONFERENCE STRAND: Biotechnology as an Economic Engine