sciencechoreography

Module Goals CMT Goals Background Getting Started Activity Videos Powerpoints Evaluation Additional Comments FAQ

Module Goals include:

• To introduce scientific concepts of genetic testing-Why, When, and How
• To help students understand the ethical implications
• To get students to formulate and articulate their own opinions based on real options

CMT Goals

• Selected sections of the Connecticut Mastery Test Handbook relating to this science choreography module are highlighted in red at this link

Background

• A variety of genetic testing options are available, what are they and how do we decide whether to use them? Are we prepared for the outcomes?
• This module uses a brief power point show to introduce the why, what, when and how of genetic testing
• The Apple clip from Ferocious Beauty: Genome introduces the ethical complexities
• Several toolbox activities and are ideally suited for getting students thinking about both the science and the ethics.

Getting Started – some suggestions:

• Start with a Warm-up (8-4-2-1 into Shapes)
• Use Ask A Question tool to get students thinking about ethics
  • What did you have for breakfast?
  • What is ethics? Or How do you decide what is right and what is wrong?
  • What influences your decisions?
• Show Power Point on Genetic Testing
• Include students listing traits-desirable and undesirable (Can use Walk and Talk from Toolbox)
• Show Apple video clip
  • Several versions of Apple clip are available at the Downloads site including short and full versions, as well as two intermediate versions
• Reflections from class
• Empathy Exercise
• Spectrum
  • Would you want to know the sex of a theoretical offspring?
  • Would you want to test for disease causing mutation that runs in your family?
  • Would your opinion change if there was a medication or life style change that could improve your life?

• Reflections from class

Activities – choose from:

• Warm-up 8-4-2-1
• Freeze movements
• The Ask A Question tool is very effective in encouraging students to think themselves about topics
• Walk and Talk
• Empathy Exercise
• Spectrum

Resources

• Videos
  • Videos of classroom experiences using toolbox activities
    • Warm-up
    • Ask A Question
    • Walk and Talk
    • Empathy Exercise
    • Spectrum
  • Powerpoints
    • These powerpoint slides can be used to introduce science choreography and the video clips from Ferocious Beauty: Genome

Evaluation

• Homework assignment: student reflections on the classroom experience
  • Examples of student reflections

Additional Comments

• Clips from Ferocious Beauty: Genome provide launching points for classroom sessions – a second textbook
• Introduce clips gently, starting with simple introduction Big Dance clip (video backdrop is simple) – it is hard to take in dancing, video backdrop and the music simultaneously
• Preview questions (on slide) before video clips
• An initial version of this classroom module might use FBG video clips but not use movement activities
• Plan a homework assignment such as “write reflections on the session” (helps to focus students)
• Explore toolbox for other classes – for example, “Ask A Question” is an excellent warm up for any science or non-science class
• Avoid classroom groups larger than about 50 students (our experience suggestions larger groups do not work well)
• Opportunity to discuss visitors as role models in science – students, teachers, researchers

FAQ

• [Frequently asked questions will be added  here based on feedback]