• Wellcome Connecting Science

Genomics for Educators

Learn strategies and techniques for teaching genomics in and outside of the classroom to create enriching learning opportunities.

6,084 enrolled on this course

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  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    4 hours
  • Digital upgrade

    Free
  • Accreditation

    AvailableMore info

Discover the importance of incorporating genomics into your curriculum

Genomics and its applications is now incorporated into the UK and other international curricula. While there is a need for further research, many academics in the field of genomics education argue that it could promote greater understanding and less discrimination, as well as increase students’ interest in the sciences.

This three-week course from Wellcome Connecting Science will help you understand the benefits of teaching genomics and gain confidence in genomics education.

Develop your knowledge of teaching strategies and resources for genomics

The field of science is intriguing, and best taught through hands-on teaching that inspires and motivates students.

You’ll discover various resources and teaching strategies to help you create lesson plans on genomics and deliver engaging learning experiences through experiments and enrichment activities.

Explore the real-world application of genomics in healthcare and medicine

Genomics is an exciting and interesting area of study, with new technologies and opportunities developing as we make inroads into the field, primarily within the healthcare sector.

This course will help you educate your students on the practical applications of genomics to provide them with guidance and insight into the multitude of career opportunities in the field of genomics.

Discuss the ethics of gene editing, genotyping, and other genetic testing

The ethical and societal implications of genomics are complex and rife for contention. However, such discussions within the classroom space can prove to be rewarding opportunities for learning and debate.

With the guidance of the experts at Wellcome Connecting Science, you’ll be empowered to facilitate ethical discussions about genomics to enrich your students’ experience.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 9 seconds Genomics is a rapidly developing area of science, and it’s gradually weaving its way into everyday life. From virus tracking and vaccine development, unveiling family histories, to protecting our planet’s fragile ecosystem, genomics is everywhere. Now, as we emerge from a global pandemic, it’s never been more important to prepare our students for this ever-changing area of biology. So as educators, how do we keep up? How do we ensure that our content is relevant and engaging for our students? I’m Em Dixon, Science Engagement Manager for Schools who Wellcome Connecting Science. I’m Fran Gale, head of Engagement and Enrichment for Wellcome Connecting Science. We’re based here at the Wellcome Genome Campus, one of the world’s largest genomics research centres.

Skip to 0 minutes and 48 seconds So this Genomics for Educators course will provide you with a toolkit to increase your confidence when discussing genomics with your students. We’re not going to teach you what genomics is. There’s plenty of great courses out there for that. Instead, we’re subject and teacher experts who will be sharing with you ways to help you engage your students and to increase your confidence in talking about genomics in the classroom. So join us and our enthusiastic community of educators as we discuss the best ways to teach students genomics.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Genomics in the classroom and science curriculum

    • Introduction

      Welcome to the course, How to learn together, Code of conduct, What the course is about and Meet the educators

    • What is genomics and why is it important?

      What is genomics and why it is important

    • Genomics - from sequencing to applications

      Genomic sequencing - how do we get genomic sequences and what are genomics applications, Genomics in a pandemic, Risk and genomics - misunderstanding risk

    • Genomics activities in the classroom

      From paper based to practical kits, Bring genomics to life in the classroom, Lab Kits, Computer based practicals, Paper based analogues, Evaluating activities

    • Genomics in your curriculum

      Core elements of biology across all curricula, Genomics education landscape, Pre-genomic learning, When should we talk about Mendel and his peas?

  • Week 2

    Genomics beyond the biology classroom

    • Genomes, society and ethics

      Curriculum links outside of biology, Talking ethics in genomics and hot topics in ethics, Using resources to discuss ethical issues

    • Bringing careers into your curriculum

      The range of careers in genomics, Linking careers to the curriculum, Linking careers to skills, Work experience and Career resources

    • Extending genomics beyond the classroom

      STEM Clubs: running extra-curricular science at school, Big days in science, Running a science event at school, Getting involved in university research, Doing your own research

    • Role models, visitors and school trips

      Types of trips you can do, Linking visits to curricula, Showcasing diversity

    • Summary of Week 2

      Summary of learning in week 2, Test your learning so far

  • Week 3

    Designing your own genomics activity

    • Choosing resources for genomics activities

      Finding resources to use in the classroom to build a lesson plan or activity design, evaluating and adpating your resources, pitching your activity to the right age group

    • Peer Review assignments

      Design your own genomics lesson plan or activity, Get your design reviewed by other learners and review other learners' designs

    • Summary of Week 3

      Summary of week 3, Final test, What next and Acknowledgments

Who is this accredited by?

Royal Society of Biology
Royal Society of Biology:

Royal Society of Biology CPD Approval formally recognises those events that allow attendees to keep up to date with recent developments or key skills within their field, or in any area of the biosciences they may find interesting.

When would you like to start?

  • Date to be announced

Add to Wishlist to be emailed when new dates are announced

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate and discuss genomics topics confidently in the classroom
  • Create and deliver engaging, hands-on learning experiences using open access genomics resources
  • Design schemes of work and lesson plans incorporating genomics
  • Explore mapping of genomics to the curriculum and pitch material for different age and ability levels
  • Discuss ethical implications of genomic technologies with students

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for teachers and educators working in schools, colleges, and with young people.

It will also be beneficial for science outreach and science communication professionals.

Who will you learn with?

Head of Science Engagement and Enrichment for Wellcome Connecting Science, based at the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge. Interested in Genomics, biomedical science, and the natural world.

Digital Education Developer at the University of St Andrews, previous Science Engagement Manager (Schools) at Wellcome Connecting Science. Passionate about creative and inclusive online learning.

Who developed the course?

Wellcome Connecting Science

Wellcome Connecting Science develops and delivers open postgraduates courses and conferences focused on biomedicine.

In collaboration with

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What's included?

Wellcome Connecting Science are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Tests to validate your learning
  • A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible
  • Learning on FutureLearn

    Your learning, your rules

    • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
    • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
    • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

    Join a global classroom

    • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
    • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
    • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

    Map your progress

    • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
    • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
    • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

    Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

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