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(57) TEACHING TOOLS: ACTIVE LEARNING AND GROUP PARTICIPATION AS A MODEL IN THE FORMATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANIES. Rucker, Edmund1, 1 University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO ABSTRACT- Active learning in an academic setting requires the: 1) consolidation of facts presented in background materials, usually from a standard lecture-style format, and 2) the synthesis of new ideas and strategies drawing from this knowledge foundation. To draw on the ability of undergraduate students to master the concepts of "transgenics" and "cloning", students were sectioned into groups and given the assignment of establishing independent biotechnology companies. These companies were charged with identifying societal needs and demands, to base their nascent companies on generating animal models for use in: 1) biomedical research or 2) agriculture. Responsibilities for each member of each group were given: the Scientific Director (define the animal model to be used), the Marketing Director (present a 10 minute lecture to the class), the Ethics Director (provide reseponses to ethical issues raised from their company), and the Finance Director (fund other companies that presented the most compelling project ideas). The goal of each company was to solicit funds from the other companies, two graduate students acting as private financial funding sources, and two faculty members (representing the research interests of NIH or USDA). This process allowed the students to pursue projects of personal interest, convey the importance/financial impact of their models on society, and discuss ethical considerations relating to their companies. KEY WORDS: active learning, group interaction, biotechnology |
