Genetic Futures

The Genetic Futures resources were developed by the Centre for Science Education as part of a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the discovery of the structure of DNA in 2003. Details of the sponsors of the programme and an account of the events that took place as part of the celebration are available on the Genetic Futures web site.

Three workshops
The resources were created to support three workshops ‘Gene talk’, ‘Gene play’ and ‘Gene dreams’. ‘Gene Play’ was a practical workshop using equipment supplied by Bio-Rad Laboratories Ltd. The ‘Genie in a Bottle’ kit was used at most of the events.

Aims
The workshops were designed to enable students aged 14-16 years to
* increase their awareness and understanding of DNA related science
* enhance their ability to form opinions on the benefits and problems of advances in DNA technology
* use practical equipment not available to them in school
* enhance their practical skills and knowledge of the scientific process.

For teachers, the workshops were intended to
* increase their knowledge and confidence in teaching scientific enquiry and DNA related topics
* improve their ability to use that knowledge and understanding in school