The AP Biology students are given the opportunity to design a novel solution to any real-world problem of their choosing using some aspect of biotechnology. They spend about 2 months researching and finalizing their proposed solution (both in and out of class), and then they all come together for a full-day presentation. People from the rest of the school as well as the community are invited to come and question the students about their research. Then the student experts are evaluated by the guests based on a rubric of their creation to determine who was best able to communicate their idea. The biotechnology the students research about is reinforced soon after by performing a laboratory exercise where the students isolate, copy, and analyze their own DNA (from cheek cells) to determine which version of a particular taste gene they possess.
Best for secondary teachers looking for steps to put in place for a project with an authentic audience.
