Return-to-Campus

Twice a year alumni of the CIBT programs are invited to a one-day workshop including lab sessions, guest lectures, and opportunities to network and socialize with other alumni.

The Fall 2007 Return-to-Campus will be held on October 27.  The day will begin and end in the atrium of the Biotechnology Building at Cornell.  Maps are available here.  Lunch will be provided at no charge.

Please note that we are not offering a student program for this workshop.

Schedule

Morning Sessions

1. The Chemical Synapse:  A Web-based Tutorial Introducing Neuronal Communication in the Brain
   Bruce Johnson
   Senior Research Associate
   Cornell University
   Neurobiology and Behavior
   We will present an interactive and investigative web exercise designed for students to simulate classical and modern experiments to explore communication between brain neurons.  The main topics include synaptic morphology and transmitter release, the postsynaptic response and synaptic integration.
   Recommended for AP Biology or Advanced Biology courses.

2. The Building Blocks of Life Lab:  Examining the Importance of Enzyme Shape
   Nancy Harrison
   Vestal Senior High School
   The shape of a protein determines its function.  In this lab, students will be given a hypothetical DNA sequence for part of an enzyme.  Using the Universal Genetic Code, they will then determine the amino acid sequence coded for by the DNA.  Differently shaped blocks will represent different amino acids.  Students will examine a "substrate," predict the shape of a protein that could interact with that substrate, construct a "wild type" enzyme with blocks‚ and determine the effects of mutant DNA sequences on the enzyme structure by building mutated enzymes.  Recommended for Advanced Living Environment, Honors Biology courses or AP Biology.  The first part of the lab can be modified for introductory Biology courses.

3. Let’s Go (Science) Clubbing
   Shawn J. Flanagan, MEd, EMTP
   Newark Middle School
   NYS Certified Secondary Teacher of Biology
   NYS Certified EMT-Paramedic
   American Heart Association Regional Faculty of BLS, ACLS, and PALS
   Newark Middle School Science Club began 5 years ago with 12 little 6th graders.  Today, it includes more than 80 middle schoolers who stay after school 2 hours a week, doing homework, extra credit work and learning about science.  The program grew exponentially and high school students were recruited to help out.  At present, more than 100 students in the school district are directly engaged in putting science first and foremost in the minds of other students and community.  Come and listen to the Club’s founders’ experiences, their funding processes, resources and some of their adventures.
   Recommended for Elementary, Middle or High School Teachers.

4. Force and Motion using K’nex
   Corrine Crawford
   Cambria Heights School
   Along with your students explore the concepts behind the use of simple machines such as levers and pulleys, inclined planes, wheels and axles using K’nex!
   Recommended grades:  1-5

Afternoon Sessions

1. Investigating Photosynthesis Rates Using Floating Leaf Disks
   Brad Williamson
   Long time Biology Teacher with experience from rural to sub-urban schools in Kansas
   Co-founder of the Monarch Watch Project
   Co-author of the Exploring Life Textbooks
   Member of the AP Biology Re-design Commission
   Former NABT President
   Trying to find a good, quantitative procedure that students can use for exploring photosynthesis rate is a challenge.  The floating leaf disk assay technique is reliable and understandable to students.  Once they become familiar with the technique they can readily design experiments to answer their own questions about photosynthesis.  You will need easy to get, inexpensive materials such as baking soda, liquid soap, plant samples, a light source and plastic syringes.  This lab can be modified to fit standards from Middle School Life Sciences to Advanced Placement Biology.

2. From Cows to Pineapple:  An Introduction to Enzymes
   Will Anderson and Sandra Litvin
   Unionville High School
   This is a series of activities that could be done as teacher demonstrations, or ideally, as student activities in a classroom.  The central theme of biological catalysts is explored with materials that are readily available in a kitchen setting.  Little or NO special equipment is needed and there are no safety issues.  Because the activities use materials such as beef liver, curdled milk and runny gelatin there is great potential for a teacher to emphasize the "Ick Factor" if desired.  In addition to the core content on enzymes, principles of good experimental design can be reinforced.  This lab can be modified to fit standards from Elementary Science, to Middle School Life Sciences to the Living Environment.

3. S’More Science, Please!
   Carol Ippolito
   Making Smores in the classroom becomes a great way to teach students the difference between physical and chemical change!  This activity can be modified to fit standards from 5th Grade Science to Living Environment.

4. Special Ed Brainstorming
   Jessica Messere
   Greene High School
   Join a group of interested teachers who want to discuss successful ways to teach Science to Special Education students.  Together we will brainstorm different ways to modify some of the CIBT labs to fit our special needs population.  Come share your experiences with us!

All Day Sessions

1. DNA Profiling Lab Refresher
   Dr. Mike Yerky, CIBT
   This is a refresher presentation for our alumni to demonstrate our refurbished DNA profiling lab that uses actual DNA (plasmids) and restriction enzymes.  Participants will separate DNA fragments electrophoretically on an agarose gel.  The results simulate a DNA profile and demonstrate how this type of evidence is prepared and interpreted.

2. Applied Forensics:  Crime Scene!
   Dr. Gregory Panzanaro
   Forensic Science - Chemistry - Biology
   Averill Park High School
   Guided by the enthusiastic Dr. Greg Panzanaro, teachers will learn how to set up an outdoor crime scene during the morning session.  In the afternoon, Dr. Panzanaro will show you how to get your students involved and excited about solving the crime!