The CRISPR in the Classroom Network: A Support System for Instructors to Bring Gene Editing Technology to the Undergraduate Classroom

Abstract

CRISPR‐Cas9 based gene manipulation technology represents a once‐in‐a‐generation advance in molecular biology that has become a mainstream technique in research. However, as is often the case with a new technology, most undergraduate instructors do not have the training or support to bring CRISPR‐Cas9 technology into their curricula. To remedy this, we have established a “CRISPR in the Classroom” network of undergraduate instructors prepared to disseminate CRISPR‐Cas9 curricular and laboratory modules to undergraduates (NSF RCN‐UBE #2120417). The main objective of this network is to facilitate a series of workshops and mentoring activities designed to provide instructors, postdocs, and graduate students the skills, support, and confidence needed to introduce and implement CRISPR‐Cas9‐based modules in undergraduate classrooms. These workshops a provide flexible, easily adapted curriculum and mentoring to instructors as well as start‐up kits to overcome the hurdles associated with learning and testing new curriculum in class. By doing this, we hope to develop both a national support system for biology educators of two‐year and four‐year undergraduate degree granting institutions dedicated to spreading effective curricular modules for the classroom and laboratory activities centered on experiential‐based work with CRISPR‐Cas9 as well as an online repository of proven CRISPR‐Cas9‐based modules across a variety of model systems for instructors with “ready‐to‐use” curricular elements to adapt for their own specific pedagogical needs using the NSF‐supported QUBES platform. Assessment data from a previous online workshop as well as two NSF‐sponsored previous in‐person workshops (Awards #1823595 and 1916486) taken several weeks after their completion suggest that the majority of workshop participants develop the skills and confidence necessary to make concrete plans to implement CRISPR‐Cas9 modules into their classes within one year of the workshop. The CRISPR in the Classroom Network represents a dynamic community of practice dedicated to providing undergraduate life science instructors with the tools and support needed to introduce this technology into their curricula.