PLANTGIFT: AN EFFECTIVE TEACHER WORKSHOP MODEL FOR INCREASING PLANT-BASED LABORATORY EXPERIENCES IN SECONDARY SCIENCE...

Area of Science:

• Plant genomics and genetics education.

Background:

• Secondary science education often lacks integration of current plant genetics research.
• Teacher professional development is crucial for translating scientific advancements into classroom practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the PlantGIFT (Plant Genomics Internships for Teachers) workshop's effectiveness in enhancing secondary teachers' understanding of plant genetics.
• To assess the impact of the workshop on teacher self-efficacy and classroom application of plant science concepts.

Main Methods:

• A weeklong professional development workshop focused on themes like genetic mutations, microbiomes, drought tolerance, and GMOs.
• Pre- and post-workshop surveys were administered to measure changes in content knowledge, confidence, and curriculum integration.

Main Results:

• Participants reported significant improvements in plant genetics content knowledge and confidence.
• A majority of teachers incorporated workshop materials into their curricula, finding them beneficial for student learning.
• The workshop was perceived as enjoyable and effective across participants with varying baseline knowledge.

Conclusions:

• The PlantGIFT workshop effectively enhances teachers' plant genetics knowledge and pedagogical confidence.
• The program successfully bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and secondary science classrooms.
• Recommendations are provided for implementing similar professional development programs and future research directions.