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Summer Science Institute
2007 Program Summary
2007 marks the third year for the UF Summer Science Institute (UF SSI), offering three different content-rich science workshops this summer. As with all UF CPET workshops, participants will have the chance to work with UF faculty and graduate students, perform authentic research, visit laboratories and facilities, hear talks by research and industry leaders, develop classroom applications, and take several resources back to the classroom. This is an excellent professional development opportunity for science, technology and vocational teachers to increase their content knowledge and gain valuable hands-on experience that will renew their excitement in the classroom and their comfort with their curriculum. Participation in this workshop also forms a partnership between the teachers and the University of Florida and encourages further collaboration between schools and the University.
The University of Florida Center for Precollegiate Education and Training (UF CPET) was proud to host 58 outstanding teachers representing 24 counties from across the state. The participants in the three SSI workshops comprised a diverse group of experienced educators teaching middle and high school science.
Each week of the program engaged the participants in various hands-on and minds-on activities.
During Advanced Biotechnology, the teachers attended lectures on current research concepts and applications in biotechnology such as emerging pathogens and microarrays; participated in hands-on Gene Diagnostics Laboratory, including gel electrophoresis, PCR, and Southern blot analyses; visited emerging companies at the Biotechnology Development Incubator; and gained an industrial perspective at the Center of Excellence for Regenerative Health Biotechnology.
The second week of the workshop, Explorations in Environmental Science, focused on environmental topics of importance both locally and globally. Teachers participated in laboratory opportunities that combined field and bench work including plant identification, water chemistry, and assessing water quality through macroinvertebrate studies; spoke with researchers and community leaders about wetlands and water resources; and gained extensive field experience by visiting several areas of interest in North Central Florida.
Explorations in Life Science allowed participants to work with researchers in many different life science disciplines. Participants attended lectures on current research concepts and applications in life science such as DNA science, forest resources, and industrial biotechnology; participated in bench opportunities including gel electrophoresis and insect identification; and visited several research sites including plant tissue culture facilities and industrial biotechnology.
All SSI teachers were asked to develop a teaching tool that would translate the new information gained at the University of Florida into their classroom curriculum. The SSI teachers return to their communities, having learned the most recent advances in biotechnology and environmental science which, combined with their outstanding teaching talents, will bridge the research community with the general public.
