The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education has announced
that Western’s proposal “Summer Academy in Plant Biology and
Genomics” has been approved for funding for the three year program.
A total of 44 proposals were submitted in response to the RFP with
only six programs funded this round.
Additional funding is provided by the Samuel Roberts Noble
Foundation to meet program costs totaling $95,400. Proposal writer
and program director is Elizabeth Wallace, chemistry faculty at
Western.
During this summer residential academy, rising eighth and ninth
grade students from throughout Oklahoma will be engaged in studying
plant biology using a curriculum that integrates mathematics,
science and technology education with field experiences.
Including an entry-level course in DNA science, this academy is
designed especially for highly motivated students interested in
expanding their knowledge of basic genetics and cell biology.
Students are immersed in an environment of hands on activities and a
group based research project on genetically modified (GM) foods.
Laboratory experiments are designed to increase genetic literacy,
encourage critical and creative thinking, and spark interest in the
field of biotechnology.
Through cloning and expressing Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP),
students work to extract and purify a jellyfish protein from
genetically engineered bacteria.
