Choosing my favourite workshop from the 2016 CONASTA 65 event is near impossible as I gained an enormous amount of knowledge from all of the workshops that I attended. One that stood out was “Delve into DNA: explore potential pitfalls (and possible pedagogy) of personal genomic information” presented by the fabulous Browyn Terrill from the Garvan Institute where her role is managing and delivering the education programs within the healthcare and clinician-setting.

Bronwyn engaged us instantly with her enthusiasm and knowledge of the most up to date capabilities of scientists in the field on genomic research.  From a pedagogical perspective, DNA (and the human genome) is an amazing and interesting topic as it is both personal and tangible. It is the “Template of Life”.  With the genomic technology changing expeditiously, genetic and genomic literacy is becoming an urgent topic to understand.

As the possibilities of using and understanding our genome are increasing, so is the Genomic Medicine industry.  Bronwyn introduced us to the Personal Genome Project where participants have donated their genomes to be studied by anyone. This sort of information available on the internet could be used in the classroom setting for projects and for developing student’s persuasive and/or argumentative writing skills.  The potential for using these resources are endless as the advancement in genomic technology is rapidly progressing and will change and shape the world of the future. GATTACA is almost upon us!

Yvonne Winter

Griffith University

I chose to enter the teaching profession to share my passion of science with the curious youth of today.  With students being constantly bombarded with outside influences such as social media and a lack of free thinking time, I believe it is vital to help them to see past all the distractions and rein-still that sense of wonder they were all innately born with. I intend to teach with an innovative approach, incorporating STEM inquiry-based learning to inspire my students to want to to make new discoveries and make a positive difference in society.  We live in a dynamically changing world where students of today need to be effectively prepared for the future. Through encouragement and higher order thinking, I want to be a teacher that develops the minds of future thinkers and leaders.