HSCI Outreach Program
Sudbury Teachers' Professional Development Day
November 28, 2005
Seventh-graders at the Ephraim Curtis Middle School in Sudbury, MA are studying the human body. A new topic that is not yet in text books or formally taught is stem cells.
Their teachers, Michael Mueller, Julie Walker, Hans Kalkofen, lead by Curriculum Specialist for Science, Karen McCarthy, decided to teach their students about stem cells and contacted the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) to gain "...a more in depth understanding in the area of stem cell research...[and to] understand how the current information might be relayed in a dynamic way in the grade 7 classroom."
Their interest in stem cells isn't only for the benefit of their students. Since this topic is controversial they want to be able to engage parents and other members of the community in educated conversation. Part of HSCI's mission is education and awareness, and we were honored by their request.
A Stem Cell Day for the teachers was organized that integrated scientific lectures with laboratory demonstrations, and wrapped up with an ethics and policy discussion. Located at one of HSCI's affiliated research hospitals, Children's Hospital Boston, the teachers had the opportunity to interact directly with several stem cell researchers.
Structured informally, punctuated with questions and comments, the teachers were given an overview of stem cell biology and introduced to terminology specific to this field. Following this was a presentation on adult stem cells and current therapies, such as bone marrow transplantation. Moving into the laboratory, tissue culture technique was demonstrated, showing them what the conditions are like for working with these cells.
Understanding that adult stem cells have limitations, the teachers were then immersed in the great potential of embryonic stem cells, with a focus on human embryonic stem cells. At this point, they viewed human embryonic stem cells under the microscope to really understand the magnitude of the size difference between us and a cell.
After learning that it's possible to create embryonic stem cells that are specific to a patient for treatment, the technique of nuclear transfer (or somatic cell nuclear transfer) was demonstrated. The equipment needed and the delicacy of the procedure awed them and illustrated how challenging this science can be.
Faced with 300 students and their parents, the teachers need information explaining different aspects of the stem cell debate. They were given a CD with many publicly available resources, both on the internet and through journal publications. Rounding out their experience, they engaged in a spirited discussion on the ethics and current policy surrounding stem cell research and were able to voice their own questions and concerns.
Many thanks to the stem cell researchers in George Q. Daley's (HSCI Principal Faculty) laboratory for giving their time and expertise: M. William Lensch, Olaia Naveiras, Laurence Dahéron, Paul Lerou, and Jason West.
Some feedback from the teachers:
Thank you for such an innovative learning experience
The handouts that were provided prior to our visit were very helpful. The order these of these resources was prefect as the material moved from the humanistic to more technical. The glossary of terms was very valuable.
It was exciting and informative to see the work in the lab, especially the opportunity to view, under the microscope, what we were discussing.
It was a terrific opportunity, for us as teachers, to be in the role of learner, humbled in the face of such expertise and cutting-edge science. We were reminded of how our students feel when faced with new, challenging information and the necessity of the instructor / presenter to read their audience and do what is needed to "reach" everyone.
I appreciated the presenters' honesty and willingness to look at the whole picture surrounding the work they do and the importance they place on providing information so that the general public can be educated in the opinions and beliefs they hold.
I found it helpful to see the presenters modeling a respectful approach to the material and the possible diverse viewpoints of the audience. I will need to have this same respect as I educate my students.