Biotech Challenge Set for 2007

Biotech Challenge Set for 2007
Biology Students Analyze Impact of Biotechnology

BioTech SYSTEM, a consortium of the Solano, Yolo and Sacramento counties with a mission to promote biotech training and educational programs across Northern California, has launched Teen Biotech Challenge 2007.

In this program, high school biology students are challenged to demonstrate biotechnology's impact on society by looking at topics such as stem-cell research, biofuels, personalized medicine, genetically modified foods, forensic science and bioterrorism.

The participants create a Web page that illustrates and discusses a major aspect of biotechnology within their chosen area of focus. Project focuses include: agricultural and industrial applications; biomedical applications and bioengineering; biofuels and bioenergy; forensics; stem cells and tissue engineering; or genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics.

Preliminary proposals should be submitted by March 7 and final Web page entries will be due on April 25.

Winning Web pages will be compiled to create an Internet-based instructional resource for teachers, students and the community at www.teenbiotech- challenge.org. Entries will be evaluated on quality of content and Web design, creativity, organization and adherence to contest instructions. First- and second-place winners in each focus area will be awarded cash and prizes, and a grand prize winner will be selected from the first-place entries.

Participants and sponsors will be honored during the Biotech Symposium at UC Davis on May 29. The Biotech Challenge is co-sponsored by the University of California Davis Biotechnology Program and the North Valley and Mountain Biotech Center at American River College. For more information, contact Denneal Jamison-McClung, at dsjamison@ucdavis.edu or visit www.biotech-system.org and www.teenbiotechchallenge.org.