Teaching about biotechnology is now easier with fun, interactive lesson plans from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. The new online resource is specifically designed to help middle and high school science and vocational teachers explain biotechnology and its effect on food production. The educational outreach program and associated web-based lesson plans are available at www.pioneer.com/education.

This latest addition to the Pioneer Hi-Bred website is an extension of a curriculum that's been classroom-tested for nearly five years. The site offers standards-based lesson plans, materials and learning activities created by the Pioneer Educational Support Program staff, teachers, scientists and other educational professionals. Educators can modify the five modules to meet their individual needs and the interests of their students.

"Our goal is to educate future decision-makers about biotechnology so they make scientifically literate, intelligent decisions," noted Gary Thull, manager of educational services for Pioneer.

"Through the interactive format of the educational outreach program, we want students to understand biotechnology and how science helps improve food production," he explained.

Activities designed to "hit home" with all students
Hayley Prusak, a biology teacher at Clear Lake High School in Clear Lake, Wis., incorporated the biotechnology curriculum into her classroom several years ago. She wants students to be aware of the possibilities offered by biotechnology and that it is increasingly around them.

"In this area of the state, many of our students have heard of Bt corn and Roundup Ready¹ soybeans, but they really didn't understand the biotechnology involved." Prusak said. "By actually growing Bt and non-Bt corn themselves and testing plants for the protein with lateral flow strip tests, the students see the difference between the two."

The corn grown by students also is incorporated in the "Issues and Decision-Making" module. Students use the corn to explore management options farmers have when faced with potential yield losses from insects like the European corn borer. The purpose of focusing on this specific issue is to activate students' critical thinking.

"The program has increased students' awareness of biotechnology and its role in food production," Prusak added. "It also has lead to other healthy classroom discussions, such as bio-ethics, planting barriers, genetics, heredity and the study of DNA."

Julie Townsend, a seventh grade life sciences teacher at Parkview Middle School in Ankeny, Iowa, says biotechnology was previously thought of as too advanced for middle school students. She is an advisor on the Pioneer educational outreach program to help ensure the modules can be adapted for various educational levels.

"By taking the information we were already teaching on plants and insects and incorporating the benefits biotechnology offers, we created a format that younger students can comprehend," Townsend noted. "The lesson plans provide hands-on experiences, such as extracting DNA from plants, to increase students' basic understanding of biotechnology in food production."

Teaching consumers who feeds the world
Janean Hauser, an eighth grade science teacher at Urbandale Middle School, Urbandale, Iowa, also helped develop the modules published online. One of the games she uses to hook students on biotechnology is incorporated in the "Feed the World" lesson plan. Her students evaluate the value of agriculture by creating a corn-related food chain. The students delve into their pantries at home for items with corn ingredients, then bring those items to school to donate to the Iowa Food Pantry.

"By thinking about hunger, the students begin thinking about the world's food supply and that farmers provide our food," Hauser explained. "This program from Pioneer offers real-world applications of how agriculture enhances lives."

Pioneer first began conducting workshops on the application of biotechnology in 2000 in response to educators' requests. In subsequent years, teachers have more fully integrated the program into classrooms and needed an online resource for the training materials. Pioneer will be adding and modifying lesson plans to the new website as suggestions come in from teachers around the country.

To request more materials or information, educators may also contact the Pioneer Educational Services staff at 800-247-6803, extension 3364 or 3175.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries. DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by solving problems and creating solutions that make people's lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries, the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

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¹Registered trademark used under license from Monsanto Company.