pgEd engaging students on the exciting and complex issues in personal genetics. We create curriculum and develop workshops to bring the cutting edge of genetics and the associated ethical, legal, and social implications into high school and college classrooms. With an emphasis on social justice, our materials are relevant to multiple subjects, including biology, health, social studies, law, physical education and psychology.
Curricula on genetics and ethics
We have developed a set of lesson plans that are ready to use, complete with background reading, classroom activities, and in many cases, PowerPoint slides, to help students explore some of the big ideas and controversies. Current topics include an introduction to personal genetics, the intersection of athletics and genetics, personalized medicine, reproductive genetics, DNA, crime and law enforcement, and the American eugenics movement.
Professional development
pgEd organizes interactive professional development workshops that explore the content and activities within our lesson plans. We offer workshops, ranging from a 1-2 hour session to a 3-day course for which we award professional development points. Check out the sidebar for a list of upcoming events or, to arrange a workshop in your district, please email Robin Bowman at rbowman@pged.med.harvard.edu or call our office at 617-432-1797.
Classroom visits
We may be available to visit your classroom in person or via videoconferencing. We are based in Boston, Massachusetts and Brunswick, Maine. If you’d like to discuss the possibility of a pgEd visit, or are looking for support to use our curriculum in your classroom, please email Robin Bowman at rbowman@pged.med.harvard.edu.
What is pgEd planning next?
pgEd is creating interdisciplinary lesson plans on genetics and identity through a five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program. Lesson plans in the works tackle topics including sex, genetics, and athletics as well as ancestry, race, and DNA. This project is also enabling pgEd to take our workshops on the road, including Massachusetts, South Dakota, and Alabama. Click here to learn more about our new lesson plans and find out where we’re heading next!
Want to learn more about what pgEd has to offer?
Download pgEd’s brochure with information about our resources and trainings. Please help us spread the word by sharing with your friends and colleagues.