The University of Hawaii at Hilo is offering a new agricultural course this summer geared for intermediate and high school teachers, particularly in the sciences, who want to stimulate their students to learn more about genetics and molecular biology.
The University of Hawaii at Hilo is offering a new agricultural course this summer geared for intermediate and high school teachers, particularly in the sciences, who want to stimulate their students to learn more about genetics and molecular biology.
AG403 Agricultural Biotechnology is a hybrid course — partly online during the first three weeks, May 26-June 12, and then a required face-to-face session June 15-19 at the UH-Hilo campus.
Travel stipends will be offered to a limited number of off-island or West Hawaii teachers through USDA-NIFA (Agribusiness Education, Training and Incubations project administered by the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources).
A law passed recently by the Hawaii County Council regulates the operations of farmers and ranchers in their planting or use of genetically modified organisms. Teachers could use the current controversy surrounding GMOs as a teachable moment — to stimulate their students to learn more about genetics and molecular biology.
One learning goal of this course is to increase the understanding of risks and benefits of agricultural biotechnology based on scientific evidence.
Tuition will be waived and teachers could use this course for professional advancement. Application forms can be requested from Susan Miyasaka at miyasaka@hawaii.edu.