In other classes you have the teacher guiding you along telling you what to learn or how to learn it, but in this program you kind of go your own path and you do your own learning.
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Bio21 Biomimicry Student Project 2009

(2 comments)

2009 Fall Semester Bio21 Web Site Finalist



Media: website    Company Name: Brian Gomez  
Program: Bio21    School:  East Haven   Year: 2010
Discipline: None

21st Century Skills:




image

Description:
Bio21 is a lab-intensive science course that covers the most exciting fundamentals of life science in the context of biotechnology. This course introduces cutting-edge technologies, current issues, people, practices, and future ideals. The techniques and knowledge students gain will begin to prepare them for careers in such fields as medicine, microbiology, molecular biology, forensics, public health, and more.

The work featured here was presented by a student at the culminating experiential learning event held at Manchester Community College in Manchester, CT on October 30th, before an audience of their peers. The student's web site were selected by popular vote as a top finalist in the day's competition.

Challenge Statement:
Biomimicry is the process of emulating nature’s designs in order to develop sustainable human technologies. This year’s Bio21 project challenges students to develop a sustainable and healthier human product or technology using nature as the model. To accomplish this, student explore nature’s ideas and then imitate one of its designs and processes to solve a human problem. During the school year, students work independently during the first semester on their project and then advance one idea into the second semester portion of the challenge. During semester two, the class as a whole develops the one idea into one large project for presentation at the Expo in May.

The Challenge: Semester I

Students work individually to propose a new product or technology based in biomimicry.

Each student will ultimately:
Conduct research on a topic of interest
Develop an idea for a product or technology that is inspired by nature OR improve upon a product or technology inspired by nature that already exists
Identify and interact with a science advisor
Build an ePortfolio
Develop a project plan
Create a presentation of your idea and present it
Develop a Web site that contains:
idea summary
research notes
references/Links
science advisor information and correspondence details
project presentation
project plan
The Challenge: Semester II

Each class will decide on one of the individual projects from first semester to develop into the Expo project. Each team will ultimately:

Identify and interact with a small team of science advisors
Continue working on your individual ePortfolio
Develop a project plan
Build a prototype of the idea in some fashion (a model, manipulative, interactive, computer-based, etc.)
Create a presentation of the idea and present it at the Expo
Develop a Web site that contains:
Gantt chart: develop and display an accurate Gantt chart illustrating all departments and their tasks, start and end dates, and the person(s) responsible.
Idea summary: a brief, 1-paragraph summary of the team’s idea.
Research notes: a summary of the team’s notes.
References/Links: a works cited in MLA format.
Science Advisors: names, titles, place of employment, contact information and correspondence details (meeting minutes).
Presentation: an outline of your presentation, other.
Project plan: the project plan in PDF format.
Video and photo footage of the development of the team’s project.
PR, marketing, and advertising plans.
Financial review board activities.

Partnership for 21st Century Skills:
 Communicate Clearly

More from: Brian Gomez |  Bio21 |   East Haven



Marilee Noonan, Teacher
Posted on January 20 2010 2:05 PM


I was particularly impressed by Brian's idea, and the extensive molecular nature of the literature search. Though nice to have the original articles,I wonder if he could extract related information from the resources in a comprehensive way.


Gladys K. Knudsen, Teacher
Posted on January 19 2010 8:38 AM


Brian has worked on this project, not only during time in class, but on his own time as well. The project he choose was based on personal experience as well as his knowledge of the human body and investigation into a suitable replacement for tendons. He knew that the tendon needed to mimic the structure and function of the structure that would be replaced. This lead Brian to research the molecular make up of both the tendon as well as the spider silk and lead him to determine the compatibility of both structures. The issue Brian is currently attempting to resolve is the rejection factor of any transplant. I know Brian has been frustrated with the inability to find a scientific mentor to help him develop his idea, so the information on his site is his work alone.

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