K-12 Education

The Center received a $1,246,202 5-year National Center for Research Resources (NIH) Science Education Partnership Award to further student and community understanding of genomics and awareness of the potential applications of genomic research to improve population health and reduce health disparities. This grant, entitled Education for Community Genomic Awareness, allows CPHCG to expand its activities related to integrating information on genomics and public health into K-12 education. A new curriculum addressing molecular genetics (single gene focus) and genomics (focus on human genome and its interaction with environment) has been developed and enacted in five high schools in Detroit and three high schools in Flint. The curriculum has been revised based on teacher and student feedback and teacher professional education materials have been developed.

Paralleling the curriculum activities in the schools are a series of activities engaging parents and other community members in the catchment areas served by the schools. The objectives of the community activities are to: engage the community in helping to shape the curriculum enacted in the schools to assure curriculum relevance to the lives of the students and their parents; improve the awareness and appreciation of the community of genomic science and research and its applications; strengthen student learning and interest in science through joint activities involving students working together with their parents and other community members; and tap into the expertise of community members related to the curriculum.

The Education for Community Genomic Awareness website, is a resource for educators and community-based organizations interested in furthering the overall goal of genomic literacy. It contains curriculum materials and resources for a high school genomics curriculum? How SIMILAR or DIFFERENT are we? Resources include PowerPoint presentations, sample student work, literacy strategies and science content support for teachers. The website also contains resources for community organizations that would like to partner with schools in this important work, such as descriptions of possible community sponsored events to support classroom activities and a handbook describing how to host these events. Through the resources available on this website, communities and schools can come together to strengthen science learning and increase students? interest and knowledge around issues of genetics and health.

This website was supported by cooperative agreement (U10/CCU525039-01) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The content is solely the responsibility of the University of Michigan Center for Public Health and Community Genomics and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.