Canadian Bioscience Education Through DNA Barcoding

A Canadian scientific innovation known as DNA barcoding is advancing species identification and discovery through the analysis of short, standard gene regions. This has led to the widespread use of DNA barcoding as a tool for species identification in a diverse array of practical applications, from ecological monitoring to food fraud. Graduate students from the University of Guelph, the intellectual birthplace of barcoding, are engaged in internships with two of Canada’s leading science education NGOs (Earth Rangers and Let’s Talk Science) to bring the bioscience behind DNA barcoding to primary and secondary school students across Canada. The interns are being immersed in state-of-the-art approaches to learning and public engagement while transferring technical knowledge on the practice and theory of barcoding to the partners. Students will benefit through connecting key bioscience concepts with exciting practical applications through state of the art learning modules made accessible on the web.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Robert Hanner

Student:

Multiple

Partner:

Earth Rangers & Let’s Talk Science

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Guelph