Professional Development

Opportunities

Workshops & Institutes

Be the first to find out about professional development opportunities by subscribing to our email list below.

We regularly conduct workshops for practitioners and present at research conferences. Look for us at annual conferences for NSTA (National Science Teachers Association; national as well as some regional conferences), NABT (National Association of Biology Teachers), USTA (Utah Science Teachers Association), NARST (National Association for Research in Science Teaching), ASTE (Association for Science Teacher Education), and AERA (American Educational Research Association).

Genetics and Health in the Genomic Age

March 15 – May 31, 2024
Online, Asynchronous

Appropriate for: Middle and High School Science Teachers, or Elementary Teachers who want to brush up on genetics.

Rethink those Punnett squares! To be informed producers and consumers of genetic and health data, today’s students need to understand genetics with a molecular focus. In this course, you’ll explore basic concepts in molecular genetics that go beyond simple inheritance patterns to illuminate exactly how variations in DNA lead to variations in traits, health, and disease. From there, you’ll explore how family health history and genetics inform healthcare and biomedical research and consider issues surrounding Direct- to-Consumer genetic testing. The course is built around an NGSS-aligned unit on Genetics for high school, and supplemented with readings, videos, and discussions about related and contemporary topics. All course materials are freely available for classroom use.

Cost: FREE

Credit: 3 graduate-level credits from the University of Utah Department of Human Genetics available for a $50 recording fee.

For more details and to register visit: Genetics and Health Institute

Registration Deadline: March 14, 2024

Note: This course was offered in 2021 and 2022. Repeat registration is allowed, but repeat graduate-level credit is not.

Genetic Tech Investigations

June 3 - 30, 2024
Online, Asynchronous

Appropriate for: High School Science Teachers and Middle School Science Teachers covering advanced genetics topics.

Genetic technologies like DNA sequencing, flow cytometry, mass spectrometry, and live cell imaging are vital for diagnosing diseases. This course explores a free, supplemental curriculum module that highlights the molecular processes genetic technologies use to understand disorders. In doing so, the module provides a different spin on the pathway from DNA to mRNA to protein, while reinforcing molecular genetics concepts found in many state standards. During this asynchronous course, you’ll experience the module’s multimedia and hands-on data analysis activities. You’ll gain background knowledge about the featured genetic technologies, collaborate with colleagues, and consider ways to implement the materials in your classroom.

Cost: FREE

Credit: 1 graduate-level credit from the University of Utah Department of Human Genetics available for a $50 recording fee.

For more details and to register visit: Genetic Tech Institute

Registration Deadline: May 31, 2024