EXPERIENCE SHARING AND CONTENT DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP!

To promote the exchange of knowledge and experiences in the field of biotechnology, the day began with the “ABE Exchange” warm-up activity. This activity created a collaborative learning environment where participants shared surprising insights in biotechnology, discussed challenges encountered in schools, and proposed solutions. Additionally, challenges faced and solutions applied were shared through role-playing, making the event more interactive.

As part of the workshop, Mr. Sercan Çoban, the ABE Turkey Ambassador for 2024, shared examples of how to concretize biotechnology-related concepts and processes in classroom settings. ABE Turkey educator Dr. Ali Gültekin also recounted his experiences with DNA fingerprinting and the use of artificial intelligence. Furthermore, four projects developed under the ABE Turkey Teacher Fellowship Program were reviewed by participant teachers using a station technique, and feedback was provided.

To raise awareness among students about the importance of biodiversity and biotechnology and to teach the diverse aspects of biological sciences, the project titled “Protecting Biodiversity through DNA Barcoding,” prepared by ABE Turkey Fellow Teacher Ms. Meltem Küçükarslan, involves practical, interactive, and scenario-based teaching of laboratory tools and methods. These include micropipette usage on endemic species, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, and bioinformatics.

The educational games developed by students following Ms. Müşerref Dalkılıç’s action research under the ABE Turkey Teacher Fellowship Program were also reviewed by participant teachers. Designed to teach biotechnological concepts in an enjoyable and interactive manner, games such as “GENEMINO,” “Complete Yourself,” and “Microordinate” were introduced to teachers. Selected games were played, and feedback was collected for further development. These action research-based games help students improve hands-on skills in topics like DNA modeling and micropipette use, and they reinforce biotechnological knowledge in an interactive setting. For instance, in “GENEMINO,” students learn genetic concepts in a domino-like format, while “Complete Yourself” enables them to understand the sequencing of organic bases.

The content development workshop also included the project “Combating Antibiotic Resistance in Bacterial Defense,” which was examined in depth by participant teachers at various stations. This project, prepared by ABE Turkey Fellow Teacher Ms. Nesibe Sevindik Kuyucu, aims to increase awareness of the negative environmental impacts of antibiotic resistance and foster public consciousness on the issue. The scenario-based applications and promotion of scientific inquiry skills among students received positive feedback from teachers.

At a station led by ABE Turkey Fellow Teacher Mr. Tunahan Öncel, participant teachers delved into the project “Factors Affecting Particle Mobility in Gel Electrophoresis,” which students tested using scientific methods. Teachers then provided concrete and constructive feedback.

Feedback collected from participants through evaluation forms on selected topics has facilitated the gathering of practical suggestions aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and applicability of the developed projects. In this way, while integrating innovative methods into biotechnology education, valuable insights were also gained on how to further develop these approaches. Thanks to active participation and the feedback received, these projects aim to provide a more inclusive, engaging, and impactful educational experience in the future.