Summer Programs
Investigating the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
August 14, 2013 - August 15, 2013
During this two-day workshop teachers will work to analyze and interpret data sets that help us understand the evolutionary theory that explains the development of antibiotic resistant strains of the bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus. Participants will come away with strategies for using genetic data with their students to examine evolutionary relationships among bacteria, a deeper understanding of evolutionary biology, and video and written resources for teaching about evolution.
Dr. Paul Planet at Columbia University, has identified and dated a gene transfer event that has enhanced the ability of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to colonize skin and cause disease. The workshop will use Dr. Planet's work as a case study to delve into the origins of pathogenesis in the context of the human microbiome. How does Staph, as a resident of humans, live in its environment? What are the selection pressures within this environment? And how does the microbiome act as a gene reservoir for this organism's evolution? Participants will explore evolutionary principles that help us answer these questions and gain experience with techniques for using genes to understand the evolution of bacteria.
This workshop is most appropriate for high school biology teachers.
Stipend Available
This material is based upon work supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency under Award No. W911NF-10-1-0339.
More in this Series:
Investigating the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
July 16, 2013 - July 17, 2013
During this two-day workshop teachers will work to analyze and interpret data sets that help us understand the evolutionary theory that explains the development of antibiotic resistant strains of the bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus.
Using Educator’s Guides to Teach Secondary Earth Science
July 23, 2013
In this one-day workshop, middle and high school teachers will explore ways to use the revised Educator’s Guide for the Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth. This hall presents amazing objects for examining essential questions about Earth Science.
Using Educator's Guides to Teach about Meteorites
July 24, 2013
In this one-day workshop, middle and high school teachers will explore ways to use the Educator’s Guide for the Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites.
Analyzing Earthquake Data to Explore Plate Tectonics
July 24, 2013 - July 25, 2013
During this two-day workshop teachers will work to analyze and interpret data sets that indicate the location and frequency of earthquakes and tsunami hazards and identify patterns that allow for forecasts of the likelihood and locations of future events.
Using Educator’s Guides to Teach Secondary Space Science
July 30, 2013
In this one-day workshop, middle and high school teachers will explore ways to use the revised Educator’s Guide for the Cullman Hall of the Universe. The hall presents exhibits for examining essential questions about Space Science.
Using Educator's Guides to Teach about Meteorites
July 31, 2013
In this one-day workshop, middle and high school teachers will explore ways to use the Educator’s Guide to teach about the Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites.
Using Educator’s Guides to Teach Secondary Earth Science
August 6, 2013
In this one-day workshop, middle and high school teachers will explore ways to use the revised Educator’s Guide for the Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth. This hall presents amazing objects for examining essential questions about Earth Science.
Using Educator’s Guides to Teach Secondary Space Science
August 7, 2013
In this one-day workshop, middle and high school teachers will explore ways to use the revised Educator’s Guide for the Cullman Hall of the Universe. The hall presents exhibits for examining essential questions about Space Science.
Hudson River Ecology and Invasive Species
August 13, 2013 - August 14, 2013
Two-day workshop for Middle and High School teachers that explores Hudson River ecology through a case-study of the invasive Zebra mussel.
Designing a Museum Learning Experience for K-5 Students
August 13, 2013
During this workshop for K-5 educators, teachers will engage in pre-, during, and post-visit activities to learn how to prepare students for a Museum learning experience related to whale biology and conservation.