Introducing Basic Molecular Biology to Turkish Rural and Urban Primary School Children Via Hands-on PCR and Gel Electrophoresis Activities

WOS: 000333236800003PubMed ID: 24474053This study includes the results of a 2-day education project titled Molecular Biology Laboratory Summer School, MoBiLYO. The project was held at a University Research Center by scientists from Department of Pharmacology and graduate students. The project was composed of introductory lectures, model construction, DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gel electrophoresis. The participants were 13-year-old eighth-graders attending primary schools affiliated with Ministry of National Education in urban and rural areas of Izmir, Turkey. The purpose of this study was to introduce basic molecular biology concepts through individually performed experiments such as PCR and gel electrophoresis integrated with creative drama. The students were assessed at the beginning and the end of each project day via mini-tests, experimental and presentation skills evaluation forms. Data showed that students' knowledge about DNA structure and basic molecular biology techniques significantly increased. On the basis of experimental and presentational skills, there was no significant difference between kids from urban and rural schools or between public and boarding public schools, whereas the average score of girls was significantly higher than that of boys. In conclusion, individually performed experiments integrated with creative drama significantly increased students' perception of complex experimental procedures on basic molecular biology concepts. Data suggests that integration of these concepts into the science and technology curriculum of Turkish primary education may support the recruitment of future scientists who can handle rapidly developing genomic techniques that will affect our everyday life. (c) 2014 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42(2):114-120, 2014Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [112B052]; GENOSIS Biotechnology; State Planning Organization Infrastructure ProjectTurkiye Cumhuriyeti Kalkinma Bakanligi [2009K120640]This work was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK, Science and Society Projects, 112B052 to CS) and performed in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Family and Social Policies, Izmir, Turkey. A partial support was also provided by the GENOSIS Biotechnology. Project activities took place in Molecular Biology Laboratory (MoBiL) of Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Laboratory (FABAL) constructed with the support of the State Planning Organization Infrastructure Project (2009K120640 to Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University)