Genetics Education Model Project
You will be working as part of a team (pair or group of three) to “invent” a model that an eighth grade teacher could use to teach a genetics concept in her/his classroom.  The model must use everyday objects.  You will see a demonstration of three different models of this type in our course.  The other member(s) of your team are enrolled in BIOL 3000, a science education course.  Teachers have strict guidelines of the concepts that must be taught in which grades.  You must work within the guidelines which are given to you by your group.  You should keep a record of your communication with your group and all of your activities in a separate section of your genetics journal.  This exercise is meant to help you truly understand genetic concepts; you never understand something as well as something you must teach some one else.  

HOW WE LEARN
10% OF WHAT WE READ
20% OF WHAT WE HEAR
30% OF WHAT WE SEE
50% OF WHAT WE SEE & HEAR
60% OF WHAT WE WRITE
70% OF WHAT WE DISCUSS
80% OF WHAT WE EXPERIENCE
AND
90% OF WHAT WE TEACH

 from "Handbook on Teaching Undergraduate Science Courses"
by Gordon Uno

Date
Project Details
1/28
Project Introduction
2/16
Education Project Checkup Day (Verbal) -  Communication with education expert must be completed.  You should have been given the guidelines for the 8th grade genetics section and had coffee or lunch with your team.  You can begin brainstorming (see below) about the genetic concepts.
3/1
Education Project Checkup Day (Verbal) - You should be brainstorming about all the various genetic concepts and models that might fit within the guidelines.  Remember the students are in the 8th grade.
3/15
Model Ideas Due to Group and Instructor - You should have at least one possible model idea for each concept to suggest to the education expert.  From now until the next date you should meet with education expert; the TEAM should focus on one model idea and begin working it into a full-fledged model.
4/21
Education Project Checkup Day - From now until the presentation date your TEAM should be refining the model and assessing it for accuracy and structure; be sure to note where it is not accurate; a drawing description is due to your instructor.
5/3
Education Model Presentations