WELCOME TO THE FIRST ANNUAL ACADEMY OF

BIOTECHNOLOGY INFORMATION NIGHT

Dina Link

Coordinator, Academy of Biotechnology

Teacher, Biology and Molecular Biotechnology

Agenda

Introduction to Career Cluster Academies Career Education Programs Northwest High School

The Northwest High School Program Description & Benefits Expectations Resources

Career and Technology Education in MCPS Vision

Combine rigorous academic and technical study with the excitement of discovery through small learning communities and career-theme programs.

With the support of the business and higher education communities, students will apply their acquired skills and knowledge to make informed decisions concerning education, careers, and a path toward lifelong learning.

Career Pathway Programs

MCPS Model:Rigor + Relevance + Relationships = ENGAGEMENT

Career Pathway Programs

2007 Wage Data – 2001 MCPS Graduates

Figure 1. Quarterly Wages from September 2001 to September 2007 for Matched Pairs of Students from the MCPS Class of 2001 by CTE Completion.

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Q3 2001 Q3 2002 Q3 2003 Q3 2004 Q3 2005 Q3 2006 Q3 2007

No CTE

CTE Completer

Note: Wage data are reported for 538 matched pairs of graduates. Wages are not adjusted for inflation.

Source: 2007 Lifelong Learning and Earning Six-year Study

Career Pathway Programs

Impact of Model Implementation

Dual completion students…

Graduate from college more often Graduate in less time Obtain better paying jobs

Source: 1999 and Preliminary 2007 MCPS Lifelong Learning and Earning Six-year Stud

Biotechnology

MCPS Definition: Students are officially enrolled in the program in their Junior Year; 4 credit hours min. for completion

Recommended foundation courses in 9th and 10th grade Biology Chemistry Physics

Honors level strongly recommended, but not required; case-by-case judgment

Biotechnology

Benefits Articulation agreement with

Montgomery College for up to five credits

AP college credit options Student internship opportunities ex.

HHMI and CARB

Northwest High SchoolAcademy of Biotechnology

Small Learning Community Model Est. in 2003/2004 School

Year 07/08 Graduating Class: 11

students 08/09 Graduating Class: 16

students Current membership: ~75

students, 9th to 12th grade 09/10 Mol Bio enrollment:

24 students

Academy Goals = CTE Vision

Rigor Molecular

Biotechnology Course: Advanced level credit Aligns with local

Community College “Intro to Biotechnology” course

A grade of B or better gives equivalent college course credit

AP Science encouraged

Relationship Academy science

course sections Student Association

Relevance Embedded Career

exploration Guest speakers Field Trips Internships

Rigor

Molecular Biotechnology Course: Nine Units of StudyUnit Description

1 Biotechnology; Past, Present, and Future

2 Essential Lab Skills and Safety

3 Cell Structure and Function Review

4 Macromolecule Structure and Function

5 Proteins

6 Nucleic Acids

7 Protein Synthesis and Gene Regulation

8 Molecular Technology

9 Legal, Ethical and Funding Issues in Biotechnology

Rigor – Techniques & Technologies Team work – lab groups and

lab group meetings Maintaining a professional

lab notebook Scientific Communication Lab Safety Lab Math – making

solutions Common lab equipment Pipetting – micro and macro Sterile technique Maintaining cell cultures Transformation

DNA extractions Gel electrophoresis:

protein & DNA Restriction enzyme

analysis Protein crystallography PCR ELISA Microarray Microscopy Sequencing Bioinformatics

Relationship

Scheduling & Tracking Academy-designated sections for all

foundation courses Double Period for 11th Grade core course Students tracked in central database

Relationship

Student Association Membership from 9th to 12th grade Student-led: Officers voted in yearly Responsibilities:

Hold Monthly membership meetings Fundraising ID and research Guest Speaker and Field Trip

opportunities Plan and run Graduation Celebration Keep Academy Members informed of specific events and

opportunities in the school and surrounding community Assist in recruitment activities

Communication

School Website Northwest High School

General program information Academy of Biotechnology Edline page

Academy of Biotechnology List schedules for important events Whole group emails Post community opportunities & events

Relevance

Embedded activities Lab meeting topics – tied to current applied

research for each Unit of study Biotech Company Research Project – semester long

Community connections Year-long Internships strongly encouraged

MCPS/NIH/HHMI program: Open to any MCPS student; competitive

Center for Advanced Research & Biotechnology: Open to CTE students first; competitive

School-based CTE Internship Coordinator: Works with community contacts

Relevance

Field Trips National Library of

Medicine MedImmune Koshland Science

Museum National Aquarium:

behind-the-scenes tour Maryland Science

Museum Montgomery College MDBio Mobile Lab

RewardsStudent Testimonials“As a member of the academy, I received

unique insight on modern branches of science, such as genetics and the role of molecules in sustaining life. I also had the opportunity to visit various institutions and learn of current projects in the field of biotechnology,” Megh

In Molecular Biology, I had loved all the labs, but my favorite one was when we were testing the effect of the “ampicillin resistant gene” in bacteria. It was pretty interesting to observe, how easily we had inserted or modified the gene of the E. Coli bacteria just with the help of test tubes and pipets,” Sachi

Rewards