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Fall 2020 Virtual Workshop Series Recap

To support teachers with much needed remote learning resources, BABEC delivered a comprehensive workshop series that reached 94 high school science teachers across the Bay Area. The series was intended to support high school biology and biotech teachers with online substitutes for hands-on labs during distance learning. We also wanted to provide space for teachers from across the Bay Area to connect, collaborate, and build community – so we established a place for structured working time to collectively plan how to bring our lessons alive for their students with their colleagues.

Topics covered:

  • Remote Learning and Planning with DNA Extraction
  • COVID-19 Pandemic Project
  • DNA Forensics
  • mtDNA PCR: What does genetics tell us about race and ancestry?

 97% of attendees agreed that the workshops were well organized and engaging, and that they took away helpful tools, resources, and/or tips that they would use in their classrooms.

“We really, REALLY appreciate the work you put into your online materials. I have done two of them and they are so well made that they made teaching online fun again. Talking with other teachers with same content area on how to implement the material was really helpful.”  (Gianne Souza, Abraham Lincoln High School)

“[The most useful aspect was] being able to see the online resources and the tools that support them. I can imagine how I could implement these with my students. Good brainstorming and sharing of ideas on how to integrate into different contexts.” (Megan Jensen, Chabot College)

“The videos and teacher planning tools look fantastic. Easy to follow and flexible.” (Kent Morales, San Rafael High School)

“Virtual learning and coming up with labs has been a challenge, seeing how it can be done is very useful.” (Justin Lovett, Burton High School)

“I loved the collaboration with other science teachers. I liked that we were put with people within our school/district. I loved the resources and all the information that was gathered from this workshop.” (Thomas Fulwiler, George Washington High School)

Amanda Cherry
Paradise Valley HS
Phoenix, AZ

The curriculum materials are beautifully prepared and easy to understand-thanks for preparing such great resources that are easy to use.

Byron Gougoumis
Burton HS
San Francisco, CA

All Babec labs are well organised and modelled effectively with clear, helpful procedural instructions, easily transposed to the classroom.

Gianne Souza
Lincoln HS
San Francisco, CA

The online resources are SO well done! The best I have ever had. Very little modification to make them clear and easy to follow. I have done two BABEC lessons and they are so well made that they made teaching online fun again.

Heather Johnson
Burlingame HS
Burlingame, CA

When doing the BABEC labs I consistently hear students say they feel like "real scientists."

Marianne Gudmundsson
Glenbrook South HS
Glenview, IL

Well organized and scaffolded; flexible structure and can be used partially or as a whole. This unit can be used as is...superbly written and thought out...incorporates many skills and allows student collaboration and student choice/voice.

Rocky Ng
South San Francisco HS
South San Francisco, CA

Thank you for creating these curriculum materials. I am beyond grateful for the quality lessons, on-the-point figures/videos, and easy-to-navigate biotechnology curriculum.

Thi Ngo
Capuchino HS
San Bruno, CA

The level of support really made the whole process easier and encouraged me to continue incorporating biotech into my curriculum. Thank you for the live assistance during the labs and for responding to inquiries so promptly and with such urgency.

Anonymous Teacher

Really well thought out curricula. Great to see "old" activities that have been re-imagined with lots of consideration to NGSS.

Anonymous Teacher

This was the best educational workshop I have had the honor of attending, and I am so thankful.

Anonymous Teacher

Wonderfully executed. Strengthened my skills. Thank you!!

Anonymous Teacher

BABEC has such a strong positive impact on teachers and students - thank you for your amazing work!