"Blueprint of Life" Genomic Literacy Tool: An interactive to enhance genetic and genomic understanding with middle/high school students and their teachers through personal genetics and human disease

NIGMS Phase I SBIRBlueprint of LifeGenomic Literacy Interactive Project Summary The increasing prevalence of genetics and genomics in everyday life and in the media calls for a more effective education of students in these fieldsRecent changes in educational systems provide an exciting opportunity to embed more genomics into middle and high school classrooms due to both the interdisciplinary nature of the science and applications of genomics in real world problem solvingIn this NIGMS Phase I SBIR project d Vinci Interactive and The Jackson Laboratory propose to develop and evaluate a proof of concept for theBlueprint of LifeGenomic Literacy Interactivewhich will provide instruction in the molecular genetics of personalized medicineuse of bioinformatics toolsand discussion of the ethics of genetics researchPlanned modules for the tool includeIntroductionThis short section will define genetics and genomicsas well as explain the history of the DNA Sequencing and the Human Genome ProjectIt will also allow students to explore a lab and the equipment that researchers use for DNA extraction analysis and bioinformatics toolsInvestigate Our DNAThis core interactive functionality will be built to encourage wide usage by students and teachers and future expansionThe web based online learning experience will be created utilizing human genomic DNAleveraging the UCSC and Ensembl genome browsersbut created in a format forthth grade studentsLearners will interact with chromosomal regions in a virtual lab environmentprogressing through a series of challengesEthics of Genetics Research Case StudiesThis area will allow students and teachers to explore ethicallegaland social issues in genetics and genomics through case studiesStudents will be able to vote on proposed actions and will see the real word outcomesThe Genomic Literacy Interactive will have accompanying lesson plans based on NGSSthth andampththfor biologycomputer sciencesocial sciencesand healthThe Genomic Literacy Interactive will promote the following outcomesInterest in training to become part of the genetic genomic workforceEquip students with increased genetics and genomics literacy to be able to make informed healthcare decisions regarding medicine for themselves and familyEncourage and equip students with sufficient knowledge to participate in civic engagement relative to genetics and genomicsLessons learned from this Phase I award will be applied during Phase IIwhen a yearlong genomic curriculum and tool will be developed and commercialized NIGMS Phase I SBIRBlueprint of LifeGenomic Literacy Interactive Project Narrative To address the education opportunity provided by the increasing prevalence of genetics and genomics in everyday lifethis NIGMS Phase I SBIR project proposes to develop and evaluate a proof of concept for theBlueprint of LifeGenomic Literacy Interactivewhich will provide active learning in the genetics of personalized medicineintroduction of bioinformatics toolsand ethics of genetics research case studiesThe core functionality of the new educational tool will be anInvestigate Our DNAinteractive where students will explore human genomic DNA in a virtual lab environmentprogressing through a series of challengesThe web based online learning experience will become a central source of guidance for genetic and genomic educational content and standards and will support educators with the information they need to increase genomic literacy with their students such as the accomplishments of the past and highlighting the increasing relevance of genetics and genomics in people s lives