Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.

PLT's secondary modules challenge students to explore in-depth the complexity of environmental issues and real-life decisions. Hands-on classroom studies, research, and collaborative field investigations provide opportunities to debate issues and engage with experts.

The word “biotechnology” usually conjures images of modern techniques and topics of controversy such as cloning, stem cell research, and genetically modified organisms. However, the practice of manipulating organisms to create a product has long been used by human societies.

Project Learning Tree’s Biotechnology module is designed for high school and community college educators in the fields of Biology, Environmental Science, Social Studies, and Agriculture. A special effort has been made to construct activities that support instruction in AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, and AP Human Geography.

Access this 136-page module online as an e-book, or purchase a print copy.

What's included:

PLT’s Biotechnology supplement is comprised of four hands-on activities, and an introduction to biotechnology. Each of the four activities has a lab component. The lab exercises serve as engaging enrichments but they are not required to complete the activities. If you have the opportunity to include these lab exercises in your teaching, you will find they are inexpensive and easy to implement.

Introduction to Biotechnology
The word “biotechnology” usually conjures imag­es of modern techniques and topics of controversy, however, the prac­tice of manipulating organisms to create a product has long been used in human societies. This introductory piece for educators describes the historical and current uses of biotechnology.

Activity 1: Biotechnology and You
In this activity, students will explore artificial selection, as well as learn how advances in science are allowing increasingly specific methods of genetic manipulation in organisms (genetic engineering). Students will explore the risks and benefits of genetic engineering and concerns that affect what we eat and wear.

Activity 2: Bioremediation
In this activity, students will learn how living organisms have been used traditionally to process materials or to produce certain products or results. Students will also explore how modern bioengineering techniques have been used to mimic natural processes for the cleanup of sewage, oil spills, and other environmental toxins.

Activity 3: Biotechnology and Human Health
In this activity, students simulate the spread of disease, learn about different types of vaccines and the controversies surrounding them, and explore how genetically engineered plants can be used to produce a new class of edible vaccines.

Activity 4: Forest Biotechnology
In this activity, students will learn how traditional methods of artificial selection and modern methods of bioengineering have been used in an attempt to improve the quality of forests products worldwide. Students will investigate both the risks and benefits of genetically modifying trees.

If you are a teacher, librarian, or administrator looking to place an order with a purchase order, please contact PLT's Sales & Marketing Coordinator at PLT@forests.org. 

Here's what teachers have said about PLT's Biotechnology module:

“Biotechnology does much more for us than what is depicted in popular criminal investigation shows on television. Teaching biotechnology in the classroom can be a wonderful way to increase student interest in science and technology while at the same time showcasing how much biotechnology is part of our everyday lives. Biotechnology has been with us for a long time, it is here to stay, and with the help of PLT you’ll enjoy teaching about it in your classroom!” – Cindy Ghent, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Maryland

This module was created as a supplement to PLT’s Focus on Risk curriculum, available by participating in a PLT in-person workshop. For more information, visit https://www.plt.org/curriculum/focus-on-risk/.