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2004 High School Lab Module
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 Our activities in the classrooms
of three regional high schools continue to
involve both presentations and discussion about
the importance of rice and other cereals as
staple food crops in a world of expanding
population, but limited land and water resources.
Over the course of the program, we explored the
question of how our science can help address
major food problems. The program also provides
an opportunity for students to learn about, as
well as practice , basic molecular techniques
including DNA extraction, PCR, gel
electrophoresis and data analysis. Every student
studying biology in the Groton High School
participated in this program for 1-2 hours/day
for one week during 2004. Several students came
in after hours to continue experiments and
volunteered to assist with subsequent classes.
Eight student helpers from Groton were selected
to accompany us to the Cortland and Homer schools
during subsequent weeks, where they assisted with
similar class exercises.
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The addition
of the Plant DNA laboratory exercise last year,
continues to be a great hit with the students.
Because the students are interested in the
module, they are not only exposed to some of the
basic molecular techniques, they are engaged in
the material and are more likely to retain it.
The local papers from both the city of Cortland
and the village of Groton published articles on
the outreach efforts that occurred in their
respective schools this spring.
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