Biotechnology Learning Hub website
Resource Review
Description
The Biotechnology Learning Hub provides teaching resources for primary and secondary schools to support the effective teaching of Biotechnology. Launched in 2005, the website aims to link the biotechnology sector, educators and scientists. It is funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and managed by the University of Waikato.
Curriculum / Qualifications links
The website directly links to the Technology and Science curricula. Teachers of English, Māori or Social Studies, however, might find some of the content useful in their classrooms. The material on Biotech and Taonga, for example, looks at traditional Māori knowledge, New Zealand natural resources, and biotechnology and sustainability. As with all the stories, this could also be used in a literacy programme.
Content
The site is divided into five sections:
- About Biotech – biotechnology sectors, organisations, people, careers and education
- Focus Stories – showcases examples of biotechnology in action, for example: Pig cell transplants, Wool innovation, Taewa (Māori potatoes), Biological control of possums, Robotic milking, Forensics, Fish oil in functional foods. The stories are supplemented with photos, glossary items, information sheets, video clips, animations, teaching ideas and curriculum-linked unit plans.
- Themes – explores the diverse uses of biotechnology, for example: Biotech at home, Biotech and taonga, Biotech product development, Food intolerance and allergies, Marvellous milk, Bioethics, Biocontrol and Future farming. Information sheets, images, video clips, unit plans, class case studies and useful links accompany the stories.
- News and Events – Biotechnology news from New Zealand and overseas, upcoming events and Radio New Zealand audio clips.
- Thinking Tools – features the interactive Futures thinking tool and Ethics thinking tool.
Ease of use
The site is attractively laid out and easy to use.
Rating
The hub is particularly useful for Biotechnology programmes, but much of the material is relevant to all Technology teaching areas. The content is suitable for students of various ages, while the attached unit plans have been designed for specific year levels ranging from Year 1 to Year 13.
Biotechnology Learning Hub Content Developer Jenny Mangan (formerly HOD Technology at Hamilton Girls' High School) and Development Manager Diane Dinnis presented a workshop at the 2011 TENZ conference. Focusing on two stories – Potato plates and Honey to heal – they showed the variety of activities, such as honey testing, video clips and worksheets, and discussed how Year 11 students could use the information to work towards the Processing Technologies Achievement Standard 1.61.
Accessibility
Most of the site is easily accessible and users can register at My Biotech to receive the optional emailed newsletters and alerts. A separate registration is required to access the Thinking Tools.
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