From Scientific Refreshment to Ethical Reasoning: ABE Türkiye İzmir Training

Two Days of ABE Learning in İzmir, Türkiye

On October 4–5, 2025, the ABE Türkiye team organized an intensive two-day professional development program in İzmir with the participation of 24 teachers from across Türkiye. The program allowed participants to deepen both their scientific and pedagogical skills through two complementary modules: the Phase I Refresher Training and the Bioethics Training.

📘 October 4 – Phase I Refresher Training
The day began with an interactive ice-breaker activity emphasizing that the ABE community is composed of “teachers who learn from and complement one another.”
During the micropipette session, participants practiced precision and coordination by pipetting onto microplates in response to true/false questions.
In the hands-on scenario “Mysterious Fish Deaths,” teachers compared DNA band profiles using gel electrophoresis to investigate possible causes of fish deaths. This exercise strengthened their ability to draw conclusions from data, form hypotheses, and reason based on evidence.
The day concluded with a shared reflection session where participants exchanged insights and key takeaways.

🌱 October 5 – Bioethics Training
The second day began with a discussion of fundamental concepts such as values, ethics, morality, dilemmas, and universal ethical principles, providing a foundation for ethical reasoning.
Teachers then analyzed a series of ethical dilemmas based on real-world contexts, reflecting on how universal principles guide decision-making.

In the bioethics application module, participants engaged in an in-depth debate on the production of genetically modified (GM) tomatoes designed to resist leafworms—a scenario based on the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture case. Teachers presented and discussed their ethical arguments, exploring multiple perspectives on biotechnology and society.

The final session focused on the roles of teachers and students in ethical reasoning, exploring pedagogical strategies for facilitating ethics-based discussions in classrooms and overcoming potential challenges through case studies.

➡️ The two-day training concluded with a collective evaluation and closing reflections.

Participant Feedback

Teacher feedback highlighted the interactive, hands-on, and collaborative nature of the program. Participants emphasized that the sessions not only refreshed their technical skills in DNA isolation, micropipetting, and gel electrophoresis but also encouraged ethical reflection and professional renewal.

“It was a well-designed, productive, and valuable training. Because it was hands-on, my attention never waned, and it gave me great professional satisfaction.”

“The discussions, along with the new additions such as the rocket activity and gel electrophoresis, were very effective in advancing the process.”

“I feel very fortunate to have participated in this training and to have met all of you.”

“This training helped me strengthen how I teach the gel electrophoresis method to my students. It gave me a stronger sense of competence.”

“It was a very fruitful program. Since we are still eager to learn and in need of refreshing our knowledge, it was deeply fulfilling for me.”

“It was efficient because it combined hands-on practice with a comprehensive approach to a current and relevant topic.”