Introduction

Proposed program for a Biotechnology day for middle years

Program Overview9-12.00 pm (with 30 min break at around

10.30 am):

Pre-survey, theory, powerpoint, group work, individual work, written exercises

12.00-1.00 : Lunch

1.00 – 3.00: Hands-on activities

3.00 – 3.30: post-learning survey

Overview continued…

Hands-on activities1 – 3 pm

4 stations: Simulating yeast fermentation & balloon

blowing with baking soda and vinegar Making double helix Extracting DNA Powerpoint on Biotechnology

Students work in groups of 3. Hence there will be approx 20 groups. Need to purchase sufficient materials for 20 groups at each station.

Double Helix: For each group of 4

Pink & white marshmallows (about 15 white and 15 pink )

4 different colours of gummy bears(4 of each colour)

Thin, flexible wire (about 60 cm each group)

Toothpicks (8)

DNA Extraction: For each group of 4

2 drinking cup, 1 tea spoon, 1 table spoon

About 20 ml cold alcohol (ethanol - methylated spirit will do), salt, dishwashing liquid e.g. Palmolive or Dawn etc.,

1 Chux superwipe as filter cloth,

1 Glad zip loc sandwich bag 1 Funnel 1 Satay stick 1 glass tube or small glass

jar 2 strawberries or 1 kiwi fruit

Yeast fermentation simulation: Sodium bicarbonate

Vinegar

Balloons

Small empty drink bottle

Biotechnology: Introduction1. Prior knowledge survey exercise2. Get into groups of 4: How many other words can you form

with this word ‘biotechnology’? What do you know about

biotechnology – brainstorm in your group. 15 mins small groups

activity + 10 mins whole group presentation

9 am: Wan will introduce

15 mins

In groups of 4, discuss and write down what you know about each of these topics (1-5 below) for example, one of the things you may discuss is how each is made. Then choose 2 of these topics and use the Venn Diagram to write down what the similar and different things about these topics are?

1. Making of bread using yeast2. Wine from grapes3. Cheese & yoghurt from milk4. Beers from malt & barley5. New crops and animals from

breeding

20 mins small group discussion + 15 mins whole

group

Venn Diagram

Write things that are similar here

Playing Tennis Swimminge.g.Sport

Blood pups

Sweat?

Build muscles

What is Biotechnology?

Bio: Short for Biology, Biology: The study of all

living things Technology: Tools for evolution Biotechnology Therefore means: A

tool that uses biology for the production of new products

Scientific Definition: Any technological application that uses biological

systems or living organisms to make or modify products or processes for specific use

Biotechnology: Using living things (e.g. plants, animals or bacteria) to create products or to do tasks for human beings

What other biotechnology

examples can you think of apart from these ones?

Making of bread using yeast Wine from grapes Cheese & yoghurt from milk Beers from malt & barley New crops and animals from breeding

Examples of other biotechnology

examples

Environment: composting; Werribee Sewerage farm

Food: crops with higher yields, pest resistant crops

Medicine: vaccines; insulin Cosmetic: SKII story (Pitera)

Biotechnology – more information Uses living organisms & cells for the

improvement of living things

Includes Many science disciplines: such as Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, & Cell Biology

Includes specialised Scientists such as Food Scientists (nutritionists), Chemists, & Geneticists (study genetics)

Biotechnology has: evolved new drugs, Vaccines, Produced Food Products, Cosmetics, Improved plants

Biotechnology Some uses of biotechnology are:

1) Grow more food 2) Help the environment 3) Grow increased amounts of nutritious food, and therefore

improve our health

HOW DOES BIOTECHNOLOGY WORK?Scientists look closely at cells, specifically genes, and make improvements

What are cells???

Cells: The basic units for all living things Within the cell we have DNA which

contain our genetic material

Genetic Material: Traits inherited from parents to offspring, your DNA makes you uniquely you

Acknowledgement: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/animals/cell/

For more on Cells visit

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/biology/cells/

How cell, nucleus, DNA, genes and characteristics are related Inside the cell is a nucleus Inside the nucleus is found DNA

(deoxyribo-nucleic-acid)

DNA is made up of genes Genes contain the information

that determined many of your characteristics

Cell

Nucleus

Your characteristics

DNA

Genes

has

contains

make up

determine

Morning Break: approx 10.30 – 11 amSecond session: 11 – 12 pm

Continue from morning session. Include

Draw diagram of cell: label cell, membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes

Draw flow diagram Do exercises on worksheets

Note: No. 3 uses sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and vinegar

Lunch: 12.00 – 1.00 pmHands-on: 1 – 3.00 pm (30 min sessions, topics below)Post survey: 3.00 - 3.30 pm