Biotechnology Information for 4-H’ers

In 1997 the National 4-H Council’s Environmental Stewardship program published the excellent leader’s guide to Making Sense of Biotechnology in Agriculture, “Fields of Genes”. This 96 page booklet includes 17 activities in five chapters. The suggested age range is given for each activity, ages 5-8, 9-12 and 13-18. The style, life skills and time and material needed for each activity are also suggested. Although this is now 10 years old it is still valuable in conveying basic concepts and introducing biotechnology to youths. A hard copy of the Field of Genes curriculum can be ordered by contacting: scahill@fourhcouncil.edu, calling 301/961-2934 or writing National 4-H Council, YCC-Team, 7100 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815-4999, Order No. ES0046 @ $5 each.

Some states have multi-year experience in conducting highly successful 4-H camps where youths learn about biotechnology. Iowa and Illinois are among such leading states. In 1996 Iowa State Univ. 4-H Extension published “A Crime, A Clue and Biotechnology”. This is about 200 pages including the extensive appendices. It includes information on running successful biotechnology camps and 16 activities that leaders can involve youths in at the camps. Again although this is now 10 years old it is still valuable in conveying basic concepts and introducing biotechnology to youths. This can be ordered from Iowa Cooperative Extension Service for ~ $20 including shipping.

Illinois 4-H Extension has been conducting a highly successful state-wide 4-H Biotechnology camp for a number of years. They have put out an informational CD describing their camps including background information. This CD can be ordered from Illinois Cooperative Extension Service for ~ $50 including shipping.

A number of 4-H agents in Kentucky have been well aware of such activities in other states and some on their own have been conducting biotech camps. For example on July 26-28, 2005, the Fayette County 4-H Office held a Biotechnology Day Camp for youth in grades 4^th -6^th. The camp entitled CSI, A Crime, A Clue, and Biotechnology, involved youth in hands-on learning experiences in biotechnology revolving around multiple crimes. This was lead by Chanda Hall and we helped with and participated with the camp all three days and observed and wrote a report on it. The Iowa State Univ. 4-H Extension publication “A Crime, A Clue and Biotechnology” was used extensively in conducting this camp. 4-H biotechnology camps modeled on the Illinois camps have been conducted in Kentucky in 2004 and 2005 and a state-wide camp is planned for 2006. See http://www.ca.uky.edu/brei/Teach/4-H/Camp/camp.htm for more information.

Fun easy to do DNA science exercises are being assembled such as isolation of fruit DNA. See: http://www.ca.uky.edu/brei/Teach/4-H/Info/DNA%20Sci%20Exercises.htm.

There are some very nice animated materials on the web that introduces DNA science and genetic engineering some requiring no prior knowledge. An example is one from the Univ. Nebraska Cooperative Extension Service that you can link to (e.g. click on 'Animations' button at http://croptechnology.unl.edu/viewLesson.cgi?LessonID=957882007).

We have assembled Some Useful Biotechnology Resources for 4-H’ers:

http://www.ca.uky.edu/brei/Teach/4-H/Info/Resources.htm