Bio-Technology: Curriculum and Activities

Bio-technology: Curriculum and Activities

The content area of bio-technology is the latest addition to the Technology Education curriculum. The framework is identified in the Technology for All Americans project and the new Pennsylvania Science and Technology Standards for K-12. There is much debate about what should be included in the study of bio-technology within the Technology Education arena. The following information provides a comparison of two differing approaches. The left column is a summary of the work of Dr. Ernie Savage of Bowling Green State University. The right column is a summary of the work of Dr. John Wells of West Virginia University. This comparison is not intended to sway you in one direction, rather to provide an understanding that there are different approaches to teaching this subject. The Proposed Academic Standards for Science and Technology are also included so that you may which content best suits your teaching needs.

Bio-related Technology

Bio-related Technology is the practical application of mechanical devices, products, substances, or organisms to improve health or contribute to the harmony between humans and the environment.

Technological in nature: involves technological devices and effect on living organisms.

Seven major areas of study:

-  Bioengineering (ergonomics)

-  Protection (safe environment)

-  Physical enhancement (prosthetics, glasses, etc.)

-  Ecological management

-  Personal health application (biofeedback)

-  Health Care

-  Prevention (vaccines)

-  Diagnosis

-  Treatment (diet, lifestyle changes, organ transplants, etc.)

-  Support systems and services (physical therapy & rehabilitation)

-  Cultivation of Plants

-  Cultivation (hydroponics)

-  Genetic improvement

-  Pest control

-  Resource management

-  Food and beverage processing (fermentation)

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is any technique that uses living organisms (or parts of organisms) to make or modify products, to improve plants or animals, or to develop microorganisms for specific use.

Scientific in nature: involves chemicals and their interaction with enzymes and other living organisms.

Eight major areas of study:

-  Foundations of Biotechnology

-  Definition of Biotechnology

-  Historical background

-  Relevant terms

-  Career information

-  Social impact

-  Environment

-  Bioremediation

-  Biological controls

-  Biotreatment systems

-  Biorestoration

-  Environmental safety

-  Agriculture

-  Tissue culturing

-  Plant & animal applications

-  Agrichemicals

-  Aquaculture

-  Food science

-  Bioprocessing

-  Fermentation

-  Bio-products

-  Microbial applications

-  Separation & purification techniques

-  Processing design: monitor & growth

-  Fuel and Chemical Production

-  Biomass generation (creation of fuel from bio products)

-  Processing (distilling fuel & chemicals from other products)

-  Synthetic development (substitutes)

- 

-  Waste Management

-  Chemical and biological processing

-  Recycling (organic & inorganic treatment, landfills, toxic waste, etc.)

-  Biotechnological Materials Applications

-  Chemical transformation

-  Biological separating

-  Biodegradation of materials

-  Regulations and Safety

-  Public policy development

-  Process design & testing

-  Food and drug safety

-  Environmental protection

-  Future planning

Sources:

http://ernie.bgsu.edu/~esavage/biorelated/

Savage, Ernest N., Rossner, Albert G., and Finke, Gary D. (1993). Bio-related Technology. Delmar Publishers Inc., Albany, NY.

Savage, Ernest N. & Brown, Angelo D. (1999). Clearing up the Bio-confusion. Paper presented at the 1999 ITEA Conference in Indianapolis, IN.

-  Genetic Engineering

-  Probing techniques

-  Genetic engineering applications

-  Genetic code

-  Molecular bio techniques

-  Analysis of DNA

-  Biochemistry

-  Enzymology

-  Control & regulation

-  Proteins

-  Methods of analysis

-  Carbohydrates

-  Medicine

-  Molecular medicine

-  Immunology

-  Genetic therapeutics

-  Health care Technologies

-  Social impact

-  Bioethics

-  Principles of ethics

-  Impacts of using biotechnology

-  Potentials of gene therapy

-  Patenting of life

-  Forensics

Sources: http://www.access.wvu.edu/class/jgw/tebc/tebcpublic/

Sample Content in Related Areas

Waste Management

Solid waste disposal

Waste water treatment (technology)

Hazardous material disposal

Degradation of Solid Materials

Waste water treatment (organisims)

Mineral & oil recovery

Agriculture

Hydroponics

Aquaponics

Genetic engineering

Tissue culturing

Human Factors Engineering (Ergonomics)

Protection

Physical enhancement

Personal health application

Additional Resources

Books and Articles:

Ø  Harms, Henry R. & Swernofsky, Neal R. (1997). Technology Interactions. Glencoe McGraw-Hill, New York, NY.

Ø  Johnson, Mitch; McAdams, Brian & Pontarolo, Russ (Oct. 1998). Biotechnology Meets Power and Transportation. Tech Directions, pp. 14-16.

Ø  Grace, Eric S. (1997). Biotechnology Unzipped: Promises and Realities. Joseph Henry Press, Washington, DC.

Ø  Cutler, Nelida G., Senior Editor. Find Out Why. National Science Foundation and Time For Kids, Arlington, VA. This is a series of activity pamphlets that are published six times a year.

Web Sites:

Ø  http://water.usgs.gov/droplet Water science for schools.

Ø  http://www.flai.com/ Aquaculture consultants: fisheries technology associates.

Ø  http://www.carr.lib.md.us/schs/scires/aquaculture/hypnic.html Soil vs. hydroponics.

Ø  http://tidepool.st.usm.edu/gandrsn/aquacultureresources.html Aquaculture resources online.

Ø  http://www.mindspring.com/~mcconnellms/staff/dwilliams/newprojects.html Middle School Aquaponics .

Ø  http://www.transhuman.com/mirrors/www.aleph.se/Trans/Tech/Biotech Biotechnology sub-page.

Ø  http://www.natureperfect.com/learn.html Free hydroponics information.

Ø  http://www.mtbaker.wednet.edu/ffa/agriculturelinks.htm Agriculture links.

Ø  http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/teched/living.html Montgomery County Schools curriculum.

Ø  http://www.arches.uga.edu/~djames/techedu.htm Technology Education in Georgia.

Ø  http://www.afn.org/~tigers/techlab.html Lake Butler Middle School Technology Education.

Ø  http://www.iteawww.org/iteawww/F6a.html ITEA’s publication catalog

Manufactures and Companies:

Ø  Amatrol 812-288-8285 Bio-Med and Bio-Related activity centers

Ø  Applied Educational Systems 800-220-2175 Waste management, environmental management, and biosphere activity centers

Ø  Applied Technologies 800-334-4943 Bio-Related Technology modules and Agri-science

Ø  Brodhead Garrett 800-321-6730 Aquaponics, food biotechnology, DNA fingerprinting, forensics

Ø  Fotodyne, Inc. 800-362-3686 Molecular Biology, DNA testing

Ø  PASCO Scientific 800-772-8700 Biology workshops

Ø  Science Instruments Company 800-229-2114 Human secrets program for the elementary school, Health occupations

Local Businesses:

Ø  Chemical manufacturers

Ø  County extension agents

Ø  Design companies (that deal with ergonomics)

Ø  Farms (hydroponics in particular)

Ø  Fish hatcheries

Ø  Food processing plants

Ø  Medical facilities

Ø  Orthopedic companies

Ø  Sewerage treatment plants

Ø  Wineries