Question: Did you know that the 2020 DNA Day Essay Contest (https://www.ashg.org/education/dnaday.shtml) question is live? This contest is open to students in grades 9-12 worldwide and asks students to examine, question, and reflect on important concepts in genetics.
This year, we're asking students about ancestry testing:
This year, we're asking students about ancestry testing:
Ancestry testing is a form of direct-to-consumer genetic testing designed to inform customers about their genetic ancestry. There are generally three types of ancestry testing: Y chromosome testing, mitochondrial DNA testing, and autosomal DNA testing. If a person did all three ancestry tests, what types of information could they learn about their genetic ancestry and how does this genetic ancestry information compare and contrast with their cultural heritage (family traditions, etc.)?.
Students can win up to $1,000 with a matching $1,000 lab equipment grant for their qualifying teacher! We will award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, as well as 10 honorable mentions. Please consider sharing this exciting opportunity with your colleagues in the language arts, as well as in the sciences. It is an excellent way to implement "writing across the curriculum!"
The DNA Day website lists the 2020 contest rules, rubric, and deadlines. The essay submission site will open in early January, with submissions due Wednesday, March 4, at 5:00 pm U.S. Eastern Time. We hope you and your colleagues can build this essay into your teaching plans and look forward to reading your students' insightful essays.
Want more information about human genetics? Use the Genetics Engagement & Education Network (https://www.ashg.org/education/gene-network.shtml) to organize a classroom talk, plan a field trip, ask about career or academic advice, or almost any other human-genetics related query you may have. The Network is made up of ASHG members who have volunteered their time to be a resource and answer your questions at no cost to you.
Good luck!
Students can win up to $1,000 with a matching $1,000 lab equipment grant for their qualifying teacher! We will award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, as well as 10 honorable mentions. Please consider sharing this exciting opportunity with your colleagues in the language arts, as well as in the sciences. It is an excellent way to implement "writing across the curriculum!"
The DNA Day website lists the 2020 contest rules, rubric, and deadlines. The essay submission site will open in early January, with submissions due Wednesday, March 4, at 5:00 pm U.S. Eastern Time. We hope you and your colleagues can build this essay into your teaching plans and look forward to reading your students' insightful essays.
Want more information about human genetics? Use the Genetics Engagement & Education Network (https://www.ashg.org/education/gene-network.shtml) to organize a classroom talk, plan a field trip, ask about career or academic advice, or almost any other human-genetics related query you may have. The Network is made up of ASHG members who have volunteered their time to be a resource and answer your questions at no cost to you.
Good luck!