Teach the teachers: How one molecular genetics professional development program has impacted over 24,000 students

Make-shift mobile laboratory kits hand delivered to schools in 2014, when the Teaching the Genome Generation™ program was first piloted (left), compared to the set of large trunks (right) shipped throughout New England to schools participating in the program today.

A decade ago, Teaching the Genome Generation™ (TtGG) was developed to modernize the high school genetics curriculum and serve under-resourced schools. Unlike most educational outreach programs that focus on select cohorts of students, TtGG™ follows a 'train the teacher' model, centered on providing teachers with the necessary tools and knowledge to bring advanced genetics education into their schools.

One of the key components of the TtGG™ program is its immersive professional development short course held every summer. During the week-long course, teachers receive in-depth instruction in human molecular genetics laboratory techniques, bioinformatics and quantitative genomic skills and navigating nuanced bioethics discussions. "This training not only builds educators' confidence in teaching complex scientific concepts but also equips them with practical skills to facilitate hands-on learning experiences for their students," shares Charlie Wray, Ph.D., vice president for education at JAX and co-Principal Investigator (PI) of the TtGG™ program.

Participating teachers join a growing network of TtGG™ educators throughout New England and receive complimentary ongoing support from JAX Genomic Education, including customized mobile lab kits, curriculum materials, and access to an expert team of scientist-educators to help them implement the program in their classrooms. All TtGG™ lessons and laboratory activities align with U.S. Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Advanced Placement (AP) Biology standards, making it easier for teachers to incorporate them into their daily classroom lessons and labs. This alignment ensures that students engage with hands-on, practical science and meet educational benchmarks.

Since its launch in 2014, Teaching the Genome Generation™ has made a significant impact on high school teachers and students. The pilot program successfully trained 47 teachers and reached 1,200 students in its first two years. A decade later, the TtGG™ program boasts more than 310 trained educators and nearly 25,000 students impacted across nine states.

Steady funding has been critical for the longevity and success of the program. Initial support by The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations and Jane's Trust launched the pilot program in Maine schools. In the years since, TtGG™ received two major boosts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) that have helped to keep the program free for educators and expand the program's breadth.

As TtGG™ continues to evolve, its impact is felt in classrooms far beyond its original scope. The innovative program has become a model for effectively integrating cutting-edge human genetics education into high school curricula, inspiring the next generation of scientists and informed citizens in today's "genome generation."

Preparing teachers and students for the genomics era

The field of genetics is rapidly growing and impacting many aspects of society, from direct-to-consumer genetic testing to gene editing and genetically modified organisms to discussions about the biology of race. Now more than ever before, bringing modern genetics content into the science classroom and connecting it to students' lives is key to cultivating better informed citizens and consumers of healthcare.

"Integrating real-life science and laboratory experiences into my curriculum has reinvigorated my approach to teaching, making the subject matter more engaging and tangible for my students," shares Janet Belval, a science teacher at South Windsor High School in Connecticut and the recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers. Belval also noted how gaining access to the resources and laboratory equipment through TtGG™ has enabled her to foster a more active and effective learning environment in her classroom.

Janet Belval (left) receiving the 2017 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award.

Similarly, Matthew Buchwalder, science faculty at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle, Maine, remarks on how the TtGG™ lab experience makes genetics content more exciting and personally meaningful for students. "They genuinely look forward to the hands-on experience and the fact that they are using professional equipment and techniques," he explained, adding that this direct engagement with gene testing has improved student performance on assessments for the unit.

Matt Buchwalder (left) demonstrating the use of laboratory reagents in his classroom

Empowering educators

Over the past decade, the Teaching the Genome Generation™ program has empowered more than 310 educators to bring modern human genetics into their classrooms. Teachers like Alyson Saunders highlight how the program has boosted their confidence to experiment with new approaches, leading to a more dynamic classroom environment. "Learning how to incorporate and use various equipment has encouraged me to try other approaches and labs that I would not have done otherwise. It has really enriched my classroom," adds Saunders, a biology teacher at Dexter Regional High School who took the TtGG™ summer professional development course in 2015 and received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2018.

Participation in TtGG™ has also enabled educators to secure educational grants and enhance their schools' access to modern laboratory facilities. Sara Bushmann, a science teacher at George Stevens Academy in Maine, successfully applied for funding to purchase PCR and electrophoresis systems for her school, which she now uses to train other science teachers and develop new lessons. Saunders echoed this experience, noting that her increased confidence with laboratory equipment led her to secure a grant from the Society for Science, allowing her to outfit her science classroom with thousands of dollars' worth of equipment she would not have had access to otherwise.

Beyond individual classrooms, TtGG™ fosters a community of collaboration among educators. Belval describes how the program has facilitated interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship opportunities within her school, creating an environment of shared learning and innovation. She notes that the excitement of new teachers learning lab techniques is "very contagious and can't help but energize the educators around them." Similarly, Bridgeton Academy STEM Instructor Beth Chagrasulis emphasizes the value of the TtGG™ community, where collaboration and support from fellow teachers and JAX staff continue to be an invaluable resource for her professional growth.

From textbook to tangible laboratory learning

Educators in the Teaching the Genome Generation™ network have witnessed a shift in their students' enthusiasm for science, sparked by the inquiry-based learning activities integrated into the curriculum. Dr. Huan Ngo teaches at Hill Regional Career High School in New Haven, Connecticut and describes the TtGG program as "top-notch." He sees programs like TtGG™ playing pivotal roles in innovating education, "empowering students to develop soft and hard skills for the STEM workforce."

Students at Career High School performing gel electrophoresis, one of the TtGG™ laboratory protocols.

"The TtGG™ content has had a profound impact on my students, igniting their curiosity and passion for science in ways I hadn't previously witnessed," shares Belval. She noted that exposure to real scientific lab work through the program has fostered a deeper understanding of scientific protocols and continued to inspire students' interest in STEM fields long after they leave her classroom.

Beyond the classroom, the skills students acquire through TtGG™ give them a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their scientific abilities. Alyson Saunders shares how her students often return to tell her they were the only ones in their college lab cohorts who knew how to use micropipettes, operate centrifuges or handle thermocyclers. "They were proud that they had those skills already," she says, highlighting the lasting impact of TtGG™ on students' educational journeys.

Partnerships and program growth

The success of the Teaching the Genome Generation™ program has been a collaborative effort since its inception. Long-time partner Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue (pgEd), founded at Harvard Medical School, has developed lessons on the ethical considerations in genetic testing and genetics research. They also lead the bioethics portion of the in-person professional development course. More recently, JAX has formed additional collaborations with LabXchange and educational technology company Learning Sandbox to develop digital assets such as virtual lab simulations that make learning resources more accessible for teachers and students around the globe.

Continued NIH grant support has allowed the program to expand nationally through the development of an online professional development course in cancer genomics, new lesson modules emphasizing quantitative skills and bioinformatics, as well as the establishment of a TtGG professional development "hub" in Memphis, Tennessee in 2023. The notable collaboration between JAX, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and Memphis-Shelby County Schools - the largest public school system in Tennessee - aims to increase Memphis high school science teachers' confidence in leading human genetics laboratories and simultaneously increase retention of new educators in the county school system.

Celebrating a decade of DNA and classroom collaboration

Ten years on, and TtGG™ continues to empower educators to lead molecular genetics laboratories in their classrooms and enhance genetics instruction at their schools. By investing in teachers, the program ensures that year after year each new class of students gains hands-on experiences in the rapidly evolving field of human genomics. What started as a local Maine program is now on fully the national stage, with TtGG™ leading workshops at national conferences and boasting a robust portfolio of STEM learning and teaching resources accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Looking back at 10 years of growth leaves TtGG™ program staff optimistic about what's to come in the next decade and beyond.

"It has been a privilege to see the TtGG™ program evolve over the past decade" shares Sarah Wojiski, Ph.D., director of education and external programs at JAX and co-PI of TtGG™. "We are deeply grateful to our partners, particularly our teachers, for helping to shape the program into what it is today and look forward to cultivating what it will be in the future."

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.