Discovery Place Education Studio Summer Course Guide 2015 | Page 2

Free Workshops

It’s a Small World: Nano, Micro and Biotech
Date: July 16 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Participate in a series of hands-on activities that will engage students in exploring
the differences in and intersections of nanotechnology, microbiology and
biotechnology. Experiment with Ferrofluids, bioluminescence, cohesion, memory
wire and extract DNA from strawberries. Discuss how inquiry can be used to assist
students in investigating these topics.
Discover biotechnology and the many ways to make it relevant to
students in the classroom. Support for these Workshops has been
provided by the Biogen Idec Foundation Ignite the Power of STEM NC
Fund of the Triangle Community Foundation and NC BioNetwork.

Biotech Discovery Series

Teaching Science using Biotechnology
Date: July 20 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Guest Instructor: Summer Cortinas, Outreach Coordinator, NC BioNetwork
Biotechnology is a growing sector in North Carolina. Participate in several hands-on
biotechnology-based activities as you explore the structure of DNA, precision
micropipetting, DNA extraction and electrophoresis. Learn about biotechnology
in North Carolina, applications of biotechnology in the future and potential career
pathways. This session is presented free of charge by the NC BioNetwork. Handson materials for classroom use provided by generous support from Biogen Idec.

Engineering is Elementary:
Biomedical Engineering - No Bones About It
Date: July 13 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Discover biomedical engineering through the storybook Erik’s Unexpected Twist,
a story of a rescue mission where engineering saves the day for a boy with an
injured knee. Explore the variations in human feet and use the information to make
recommendations about sneaker design. Measure the range of motion in knees
while investigating how a knee joint works. After evaluating properties of different
building materials, design a knee brace that will restore the range of motion
to an injured knee. Receive a copy of the book and associated handouts.
This EiE program is appropriate for educators of grades 1-5.

Biology Meets MakerSpace
Date: July 14 10:00 a.m. - noon
Learn how Makerspaces and 3D printing can be utilized to support curriculum and
instruction of the life sciences. Examine the functionality of 3D printers and learn
about our 3D printed Resource Kits that can be checked out free of charge to
enhance student understanding of anatomy, microbiology and prosthetics. Discuss
current research based on the intersection of 3D printing and biology, including 3D
printing cellular cultures. Receive a small 3D-printed model to take home. During
open studio time, paint your model to make it more realistic, enhancing it from a
white PLA plastic object to one that can be used in your classes to support life
science standards.

Biotechnology: From Prehistory to the Deep Blue Sea
Date: July 15 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Learn how to safely lead students in a dissection that can be implemented at
multiple points in the curriculum. This session focuses on the integration of
biotechnology as it applies to marine science and ocean habitats. Tour the Discovery
Place aquarium and learn about the coral propagation program and how Discovery
Place is contributing to this scientific research. Dissect a squid, learn about fossilized
ammonites and discuss current research with electro-active polymeric materials that
would allow humans to camouflage themselves as squids do.

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Free Resources
MakerLab Club
Bring 3D printing into your school for free! Check out a Cube 3D printer for use
in your classroom for up to two weeks. Educators must complete the ABC’s of 3D
Printing Workshop on July 17 to be eligible (see p. 14). Made possible by generous
support of the MakerLab Club, a collaboration of 3D Systems, the American Library
Association and the Association of Science and Technology Centers, a group
committed to advancing 3D digital literacy.
Resource Collections
Participate in a program at the Education Studio and have access to thousands
of items for your classrooms. Check out Resource Kits from Discovery Place
Education Studio’s resource collection and bring the wonder of discovery
to your students.

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