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Bioinformatics education in high school: implications for promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
Dina N Kovarik1, Davis G Patterson, Carolyn Cohen
1Northwest Association for Biomedical Research, Seattle, WA 98119, USA.
CBE Life Sciences Education
|September 6, 2013
Summary
The Bio-ITEST program effectively enhanced high school teachers' and students' interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers through bioinformatics professional development and curricula, showing sustained gains in cognitive traits.
Area of Science:
- Bioinformatics
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- STEM Education
Background:
- Teacher professional development is crucial for integrating new curricula.
- Bioinformatics offers a unique approach to teaching STEM concepts.
- Fostering interest in STEM careers requires targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Bio-ITEST teacher professional development model and bioinformatics curricula.
- To assess the impact on cognitive traits related to STEM career interest in teachers and students.
- To identify effective strategies for increasing student engagement in STEM.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a pre-post survey design to measure changes in cognitive traits.
- Implemented bioinformatics curricula ('Genetic Testing' and 'Genetic Research') for teachers and students.
- Incorporated adult education best practices and STEM career resources.
Main Results:
- Teachers showed significant, sustained growth in preparedness and career awareness infusion.
- Introductory students demonstrated significant gains in awareness, relevance, and self-efficacy.
- Advanced students exhibited significant improvements in all four cognitive areas: awareness, engagement, self-efficacy, and relevance.
Conclusions:
- The Bio-ITEST model successfully enhanced STEM career interest in teachers and students.
- Bioinformatics curricula are effective tools for improving cognitive traits related to STEM.
- Programmatic recommendations are provided for enhancing STEM career interest in educational settings.
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