First High School Stem Cell Curriculum
by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman
California is a leader in stem cell research but sustaining the industry requires trained workers, from lab technicians to top-level researchers. To fill the need, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine developed the nation's first high school stem cell curriculum.
Last fall, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill requiring the state education department to include stem cell science in existing high school career development programs.
According to SFGate, published by the San Francisco Chronicle, the curriculum already in use in some Bay Area schools will be pitched to science teachers this fall. It's designed for all levels, those in advanced biology and those who never plan to take another science course.
The curriculum is in four parts and science teachers might use only a section of it. For instance, teachers could use stem cells to talk about cell division in basic biology. Each unit contains some political or ethical topic such as cloning that should peak student interest with the intent of bringing more workers into the field.
The curriculum is already online. Visit www.sfgate.com.
