Resources

Frederic Chain Resources

Professional Development Workshop for High School Teachers
Genomics and Bioinformatics: Developing Students’ Data Analysis Skills

Application is open for the 2024 Workshop on June 27th – See link below!

Testimonials

“This workshop was super relevant and interesting because we got to hear about accessible research, learn what other teachers in the area are doing in their classes and obtain a set of really cool bioinformatics lessons to implement in our classrooms. The lessons take real data from a local area and allow students to explore using real-world bioinformatic data tools” … “highly recommend taking this workshop if you want to incorporate more bioinformatics based lessons in your curriculum.” 
-Dani Fuchs & Meghan Church – Biology & Biotechnology teachers at Wellesley High School, Wellesley, MA – 2023

“This workshop was a comprehensive introduction to genomics and bioinformatics tools and curriculum that can be immediately implemented in the classroom. The real-world datasets and application to organisms in our ecosystem reinforces the relevance of learning of these techniques to students.”
-Divya Nagri – Nashua High School North, NH – 2023

When: Thursday June 27th 2024. 9AM-3:30PM

Where: University of Massachusetts Lowell

Who: High School Life Sciences and Biology Teachers
Cost: Free.  Participants receive a stipend upon completion of attendance and post-workshop assignment.
Genome browser view of sequence data

Registration for 2024 is now open.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY or use the QR code: 

Contact for more information: frederic_chain@uml.edu

Benefits to teachers

  • Receive lesson plans for teaching interactive genomics & bioinformatics
  • Learn about current genomics applications and research using UMass Lowell-generated datasets
  • Build on concepts in genetics, inheritance, and evolution (Life Science Standards LS3 and LS4)

Benefits to students

  • Gain skills and knowledge that apply to various career paths, from health and bioscience to earth science and sustainability, in industry and academia
  • Entryway into developing quantitative, computational, and data analysis skillsets in genomics
  • Paid summer internship research opportunity in our lab at UMass Lowell via the Mass Life Sciences Center
    • Preference is given to students from communities underrepresented in STEM fields, to help them gain research experience and broaden exposure to career prospects.

Benefits to both teachers AND students

  • Connection with UMass Lowell researchers – we offer to visit classrooms for support during lesson implementation and discuss questions and problems with teachers and students
  • Provide feedback to improve the delivery of lessons with the goal of providing additional open-source genomics and bioinformatics lessons and activities as the field advances


Workshop content summary: Studying Genomes Using Bioinformatic Tools: Visualizing Genetic Differences Among Individuals

  • UML researchers will provide lesson plan outlines and example worksheets, which will be discussed during the workshop to prepare teachers for delivering the lessons.
  • The lesson plans feature genome browsers, which enable visualization and analysis of entire genomes by loading sequencing data to e.g., identify the locations of mutations, and determine gene expression differences among samples.
  • Accompanying short video tutorials and sequencing data will be provided, including explanations as to why we use sticklebacks to study the interaction between the environment and the genome.
  • Lessons require only a laptop (e.g., Chromebook) + internet and are designed to be implemented in the classroom (homework optional at the teacher’s discretion).
  • No file downloads or program installation necessary, everything is done free via a web browser.

See more about our lab research on our alternative website here: https://fredericchain.weebly.com/lessons.html