We will develop Decisions, Decisions: Biotechnology, a CD-ROM based package, designed to engage secondary school students (grades 7- 12) in activities and informed discussion on genetics and health-related topics and issues in biotechnology. The centerpiece of this package will be a real-life simulation that concurrently involves students in both understanding fundamental science concepts, as well as exploring ethical, social, and political issues emerging from biotechnology research. Designed in response to the need to bring current science topics into the science curriculum, the package will flexibly fit within existing biology and general science courses. Importantly, Decisions, Decisions: Biotechnology will create a new model for using CD-ROM technology in classrooms. The design innovatively integrates technology with print to involve an entire class of 30 or more students in collaborative decision-making and learning.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:Developed by a leading developer of educational technology, the CD-ROM based Decisions, Decisions: Biotechnology has the potential to reach thousands of classrooms. TSP will distribute the resulting product through its direct mail catalog, dealer network, and direct sales force to schools nationwide.National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
