Outreach
The Stepping into Biotechnology program was developed at Texas A&M in partnership with Austin Academy of Science, a math and science magnet school in suburb Dallas. Under the leadership of Dr. Peggy Thaxton at Mississippi State University, this well-developed program has been transfered to the Mississippi Delta, in collaboration with Dr. Brain Scheffler at USDA-ARS in Stoneville and Alcorn State University.
The outreach program is now rooted and will continue to have a broad and sustainable impact in the area.
The region, known as the Mississippi Delta, ranges from south of Memphis, Tennessee to Vicksburg, Mississippi and up to 50 miles inland from the Mississippi river.
The annual workshop has been held in Leland High School in Leland, Washington School in Greenville, and Hollandale Junior High School in Hollandale.
The project researchers, including postdoctoral fellows and graduate students, brought plant genomics and biotechnology to the hands of middle and high school students, and GMOs. They modified lab protocols to carry out simple DNA experiments, whether in a laboratory or on a gym floor. One modification was to use DNA in a bottle and CSI-PCR kit for DNA isolation and fingerprinting. The students were so excited to see how DNA could be extracted and seen like the TV show CSI!
For further information, please visit "Stepping into Biotechology" and contact Dr. Peggy Thaxton, coordinator of the education and outreach program.
