Genetic Literacy and Problem-Based Learning

Abstract

The decoding and mass storage of the genetic codes of plants, humans, and animals along with the capacity to manipulate and track those codes has brought about a number of social and cultural shifts, the implications of which are just beginning to be understood. The application of this growing ability to decode, manipulate, and store genetic information has increased the need for all individuals to have some degree of genetic literacy to understand the implications of genetics in their lives. This chapter describes a project to create a cross-curricular computer simulation for middle school students in science, math, and social studies. The design team, including individuals from the College of Education and Human Ecology (http://ehe.osu.edu/) and the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD—http://accad.osu.edu/) at Ohio State University are collaborating with middle school teachers at a large urban school district and a small urban school district in Ohio to create a learning tool that has cultural relevance in traditionally underserved communities.