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Resources for Kids and Teachers
In conjunction with the opening of the groundbreaking exhibition The Genomic Revolution, on view from May 26, 2001 through January 1, 2002, the American Museum of Natural History has developed a broad array of resource materials designed to enhance the public's understanding of genomics, one of the most complex and critically important subjects of our time. The Genomic Revolution Exhibition Website
The first place to explore is The Genomic Revolution exhibition website. The exhibition site includes behind-the-scenes photographs documenting the work of highly skilled Museum model makers and craftspeople, whose work is featured in the exhibition; an interview with Rob DeSalle, Co-Director of the Museum's Molecular Laboratories, Curator, Division of Invertebrate Zoology, and curator of The Genomic Revolution; information on the films, lectures, workshops, and panel discussions presented in conjunction with the exhibition; and a timeline highlighting major developments and discoveries in the field of genomics. The Genomic Revolution site also features a special on-line polling area that incorporates questions from the recently released poll—Public Awareness in the Age of Genomics—developed by the American Museum of Natural History, in conjunction with the polling organization, Harris Interactive. Site visitors will be able to compare their responses to those of other online respondents and to the poll results. Genomics Research at the Museum In addition, a permanent area of the Museum website features an overview of genomics research at the Museum. The new area, Genomics, includes information on the Ambrose Monell Collection for Molecular and Microbial Research, the parallel computing facility, the Molecular Systematics Laboratories, and the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation's Conservation Genetics Program. This area also links to a BioBulletin on genomics and to the archived webcast of genomics conferences held at the Museum. For children 7 to 12 years old, the Museum's National Center for Science Literacy, Education and Technology (NCSLET) has developed a site that features a variety of stories, games, interviews, and activities created to introduce the concept of genomics. The site is part of NCSLET's website for children, Ology. Visitors to the site will discover interviews with three young "Ologists"—kids who have an interest in genomics—and a set of Ology cards, collectible online trading cards with images and fun facts about genomics. Ology also features three activities for children to do away from the computer: "DNA in a Blender," extracting DNA from an onion in your kitchen; "Wear a Chimp on Your Wrist," creating a beaded bracelet that looks like the genetic code of an animal such as a shark, butterfly, grizzly bear, or chimp; and a "Nature/Nurture Quiz," on whether or not a trait is due to heredity or upbringing. Throughout the summer, new sections will be added to the site, including an interview with Dr. DeSalle geared at young people, an additional set of Ology genomics cards, downloadable stationery with a DNA motif, a recommended reading list, and a genomics quiz.
The Museum's National Center for Science Literacy, Education and Technology has produced The Gene Scene, a magazine for children 7 to 12 years old. English and Spanish versions of The Gene Scene will be available in the exhibition and distributed to classrooms in conjunction with the magazine Time for Kids. The Gene Scene features interviews with several prominent scientists including Dr. DeSalle; George Amato, Director, Science Resource Center and Senior Conservation Geneticist, Wildlife Conservation Society; and Georgia Dunston, Acting Director of the National Human Genome Center, Howard University. Readers can find a variety of activities designed to enhance their knowledge of basic genomics. The magazine also examines a range of issues related to the uses of genetic technology, including conservation genetics, cloning, genetically modified food, and more. In addition to these resources, the Museum's Department of Education has developed two special courses "The Genomic Revolution—In Our Lives and In the Curriculum" and "Genetics, Genomics, Genethics." "The Genomic Revolution" is a three-day institute for teachers grade K-12, featuring classes taught by Museum curators and educators. "Genetics, Genomics, Genethics" is an on-line course offered by the Museum through Connected University. The course will be taught by Dr. DeSalle and Claudia Englbrecht, Research Associate, NCSLET. The Genomic Revolution: Unveiling the Unity of Life In October 2001, Joseph Henry Press/National Academy Press in association with the American Museum of Natural History will publish The Genomic Revolution: Unveiling the Unity of Life. Edited by Dr. DeSalle and Michael Yudell, Research Fellow in the Molecular Laboratories at the American Museum of Natural History, The Genomic Revolution covers genomics from the basics of heredity through the more complex principles of molecular biology, including explorations of the ethical issues that surround current research and future developments. The book features contributions by Harold Varmus, President, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Leroy Hood, President and Director, Institute for Systems Biology; Mary-Claire King, American Cancer Society Research Professor of Genetics, Departments of Medicine and Genetics, University of Washington; Daniel Kevles, Professor of the Humanities, California Institute of Technology and Visiting Professor of History, Yale University; Craig Venter, President, Celera Genomics; and other experts in the field. The Genomic Revolution is supported by a grant from the Richard Lounsbery Foundation. Major funding has also been provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Endowment Fund. Support for educational programming for the exhibition has been provided by the Lita Annenberg Hazen Foundation. |
