DNA Files Outreach: “Genetics, Up Close and Personal”

Chicago Public Radio’s outreach program brings public school students into the university lab setting throughout the school year to meet local scientists conducting genetics research. They will learn about the scientist’s work, then discuss the larger societal issues related to the work with a medical ethicist. As part of the day-long experience, students are guided through a hands-on genetics-related lab experiment.

Meet the Teachers

Five Chicago Public School teachers with a love for science and a commitment to passing their enthusiasm onto their students have joined the project. Each of them instruct students who come overwhelmingly from disenfranchised neighborhoods. Watch the teachers in action in the classroom. Find out why they love science, how they migrated toward teaching, and why they think science education matters.

The University

David Slavsky who heads Loyola University’s Center for Science and Math Education. Salvsky and his team are connecting scientists and Loyola graduate students to deliver a unique learning experience for the students for ten Saturdays throughout the school year.

You can also view video reports about the students’ experiences at Loyola and how they did their experiments, as they become available throughout the school year.

The “Genetics: Up Close and Personal” outreach project is made possible with help from DNA Files Public Radio Documentary Series. It’s a project of SoundVision Productions, Berkeley, California. Julia McEvoy is executive producer of Chicago Public Radio’s local coverage.