W939
Connecting Genotype to Phenotype in 7-12 Classrooms with iTAG Barley

Date: Saturday, January 9, 2016
Time: 5:20 PM
Room: Esquire - Meeting House
Roger Wise , Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Laurie McGhee , Colfax-Mingo High School, Colfax, IA
Nick Hayes , Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School, Cedar Rapids, IA
Ron Schuck , Ames High School, Ames, IA
Julie Gonzalez , Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, IA
Lance Maffin , Bondurant-Farrar High School, Bondurant, IA
Taylor Hubbard , Ankeny High School, Ankeny, IA
Garrett Hall , Southeast Polk High School, Pleasant Hill, IA
Ehren Whigham , Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, IA
Greg Fuerst , USDA-ARS, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
PDF file
Roger Wise, L. McGhee, N. Hayes, R. Schuck, J. Gonzalez, L. Maffin, T. Hubbard, G. Hall, E. Whigham, and G. Fuerst

iTAG “Inheritance of Traits and Genes” is a NSF-sponsored Research Experience for Teachers (RET) to promote understanding of the relationship between genotype and phenotype, which is the core foundation for modern genomics projects.  Using the diverse Oregon Wolfe Barley population as the model, we have created a self-sustaining, inquiry-based curriculum comprising lab and classroom activities for high school students to learn concepts in plant development, phenotypic diversity, genetics, and/or genomics. Three key systems are presented; homeotic mutations, domestication, and epistasis.  Through inquiry based learning, students become better-informed citizen scientists.  iTAG Barley is aligned to the National Science Standards, and thus, can be adapted to any state standards.  Teachers and workshop participants conduct pre- and post content-based survey of iTAG concepts.  Results of the assessment are incorporated into publications and presented at NSTA and ASPB conferences. 

The curriculum for iTAG Barley is available as teacher and student versions [PDF or digital textbook (iTAG for iPAD; https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/itag-barley-9-12-curriculum/id959451733?mt=11), and includes NSF-funded thermal cyclers, microcentrifuges, gel boxes, transilluminators, pipetteman, and reagents.  It has been implemented in >35 high-school classrooms from 2009-2014, impacting >1,000 students, half of which were underrepresented from urban to rural communities.  The project is continuing to expand its reach with the first iTAG Barley workshop hosted by Iowa State University July 28th-31st, 2015.  Workshop organizers and participants collectively will use iTAG Barley in 53 classes during the 2015-16 school year, impacting an additional 1,400 high school students.  Additional workshops for summer 2016 are already being planned at Iowa State University in Ames IA and Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, AL. 

Supported by the National Science Foundation - Plant Genome grants 09-22746 and 13-39348.

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