University of Pittsburgh

Pitt Mobile Science Lab

Curriculum

Through the Outreach Program, University scientists have worked with local teachers to design curricular modules that make current experiments and technology from our laboratories appropriate for the K-12 classroom. Our modules help teachers meet the required Pennsylvania Department of Education academic standards while allowing students to use the latest technology to tackle some of today’s most challenging questions. Our modules emphasize problem solving and require students to analyze data and form and test hypotheses.

Continue reading to learn about a sampling of the educational modules that we currently offer on the Mobile Lab:

Are Your Foods Genetically Modified?

Advances in genetic engineering have resulted in genetically modified plants of commercial importance. These plants have been engineered to contain genes that encode herbicide resistance, insect resistance, drought tolerance, frost tolerance and other traits. Most Americans would probably be surprised to learn that more than 60% of fresh vegetables and processed foods sold in supermarkets today are genetically modified. The laboratory activity uses a rapid method for extracting DNA from plants and food products. Then polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to detect for evidence of the 35S promoter that drives expression of many trans-genes found in most genetically modified foods.

PCR Amplification of D1S80 Locus

This protocol may be used as part of a "crime solving" demonstration. The polymerase chain reaction amplifies DNA at the D1S80 locus---a noncoding region on chromosome 1 composed of 16 base pair repeats that can display heterozygous or homozygous phenotypes. This is one of the same analysis crime labs use to determine if a suspects DNA is the same as that found at a crime scene. In this activity each student extracts DNA from his or her own cheek cells as a template for the PCR. After PCR, electrophoresis is used and students will see that their DNA is different for each student. They will also be able to determine if they are homozygous or heterozygous for the D1S80 locus.

Natural Selection Module

This activity demonstrates that natural selection is the principle mechanism of evolution. In this experiment, students will compete two different harmless non-pathogenic strains of Salmonella bacteria against each other to see which one is more successful at evading be eaten by a amoebae predator. These experiments will test a new hypothesis about how humans and animals succumb to bacterial infection. Data collected in these experiments will be used as part of an ongoing research project in collaboration with a research laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh.

“The Great Strawberry Caper” for middle school students

This activity harnesses middle school students’ healthy skepticism and budding independence as thinkers by immersing them in a scenario in which they are required to investigate a patent infringement claim made against an organic strawberry grower by a large commercial company.  This is an exercise in critical analysis and inquiry-based thinking and allows students to analyze data, formulate relevant questions, and test/revise hypotheses. In short, this exercise forces students to think, ask questions and design experiments to proceed.

Experimental techniques include:

  • phenotypic analysis
  • DNA extraction
  • PCR
  • gel electrophoresis

Outbreak!

This module is an exercise in critical analysis and inquiry-based thinking. This experience is a simulation that uses the concept of infectious disease to allow students to analyze data, formulate relevant questions, and test/revise hypotheses. In this scenario, there has been a possible outbreak of an infectious disease with an unknown causative agent. It is not known if the “disease” is contagious or due to environmental factors. Teachers and students play the part of agents representing the Center for Disease Control. It is up to the class to analyze existing facts and data and ask the pertinent questions that will allow investigation to proceed to hypothesis, hypothesis-testing, and diagnosis so that the outbreak can be controlled. During the exercise, students will become acquainted with current science and technology (PCR, electron microscopy, electrophoresis, cell culture), as well as problem solving techniques.