In accordance with Ontario’s vaccine certificate policy, all visitors aged 12 and older are required to show proof of being fully vaccinated (paper or digital copy) along with valid ID to visit the Ontario Science Centre. All visitors, including Members, need to book a timed ticket in advance. We thank you for your cooperation.
Type : Virtual School Program
Grade : 12
Duration : 90 minutes
Capacity : one group, maximum 35 students
Price : $300 per group
Language : English only
Learn the science behind CRISPR, which can be used to change human DNA. Uncover the ethical questions surrounding this cutting-edge technology and evaluate information in popular media. Then, improve your knowledge of biochemistry and molecular genetics in a dry lab post-visit activity.
Schedule until December 17, 2021:
10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
November 4, 10, 17, 24 & 30
December 3, 10 & 16
For dates that are currently available, please refer to the Request Your Virtual School Program form.
| A1.1 | Formulate relevant scientific questions about observed relationships, ideas, problems, or issues, make informed predictions, and/or formulate educated hypotheses to focus inquiries or research |
|---|---|
| A1.9 | Analyse the information gathered from research sources for logic, accuracy, reliability, adequacy, and bias |
| A1.10 | Draw conclusions based on inquiry results and research findings, and justify their conclusions with reference to scientific knowledge |
| A1.11 | Communicate ideas, plans, procedures, results, and conclusions orally, in writing, and/or in electronic presentations, using appropriate language and a variety of formats |
| A2.1 | Identify and describe a variety of careers related to the fields of science under study (e.g., nuclear medicine technician, nurse practitioner, hematologist, dietitian, geneticist) and the education and training necessary for these careers |
| A2.2 | Describe the contributions of scientists, including Canadians, to the fields under study |
| B1.1 | Analyse technological applications related to enzyme activity in the food and pharmaceutical industries |
| B1.2 | Evaluate, on the basis of research, some advances in cellular biology and related technological applications |
| B3.4 | Describe the chemical structures and mechanisms of various enzymes |
| D1.1 | Analyse, on the basis of research, some of the social, ethical, and legal implications of biotechnology |
| D1.2 | Analyse, on the basis of research, some key aspects of Canadian regulations pertaining to biotechnology |
| D2.1 | Use appropriate terminology related to molecular genetics, including, but not limited to: polymerase I, II, and III, DNA ligase, helicase, Okazaki fragment, mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, codon, anticodon, translation, transcription, and ribosome subunits |
| D2.2 | Analyse a simulated strand of DNA to determine the genetic code and base pairing of DNA |
| D3.5 | Describe some examples of genetic modification, and explain how it is applied in industry and agriculture |
| D3.6 | Describe the functions of some of the cell components used in biotechnology |
| A1.1 | Formulate relevant scientific questions about observed relationships, ideas, problems, or issues, make informed predictions, and/or formulate educated hypotheses to focus inquiries or research |
|---|---|
| A1.9 | Analyse the information gathered from research sources for logic, accuracy, reliability, adequacy, and bias |
| A1.10 | Draw conclusions based on inquiry results and research findings, and justify their conclusions with reference to scientific knowledge |
| A2.1 | Identify and describe a variety of careers related to the fields of science under study (e.g., nuclear medicine technician, nurse practitioner, hematologist, dietitian, geneticist) and the education and training necessary for these careers |
| A2.2 | Describe the contributions of scientists, including Canadians (e.g., Frederick Banting, John A. Hopps, Louis Siminovitch, Jean Cuthand Goodwill, Nancy Olivieri), to the field under study |
| B1.1 | Assess the costs and benefits of a conventional medical technology, therapy, or device that is used to diagnose or treat a human health condition (e.g., diagnostic technologies such as X-rays and ultrasound; surgical procedures such as laser removal of tumours; biomedical devices such as prosthetics) |
| B3.3 | Explain the function and use of a variety of medical devices and technologies for diagnostic and treatment purposes (e.g., sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, ultrasound, X-ray, computerized axial tomography [CAT] scan, pacemaker, chemotherapy) |
| B3.4 | Describe the function and use of technologies, devices, and techniques for biomedical repair (e.g., prosthetics, artificial organs, plastic surgery) |
| B3.5 | Describe a recent technological development or advance in diagnosis or treatment in the healthcare field (e.g., artificial skin for burn victims, artificial and transgenic organ transplants, smart drugs, nanotechnologies, biophotonics |
| F1.1 | Analyse social issues related to an application of biotechnology in the health, agricultural, or environmental sector (e.g., issues related to the uses of genetically modified organisms or to the uses and availability of in vitro fertilization) |
| F1.2 | Analyse, on the basis of research, ethical and legal issues related to an application of biotechnology in the health, agricultural, or environmental sector (e.g., ethical questions related to xenotransplantation; legal issues related to access to an individual’s genetic information) |
| F2.1 | Use appropriate terminology related to biotechnology, including, but not limited to: selective breeding, hybridization, replication, mutation, genomics, and gene therapy |
| F2.3 | Investigate, through laboratory inquiry or computer simulation, a recently developed biotechnological method used in the health sector (e.g., the process of electrophoresis to degrade DNA) |
| F2.4 | Investigate, through laboratory inquiry or computer simulation, a recently developed biotechnological method used in the field of agriculture (e.g., bioremediation of a chemical fertilizer spill; the cloning of corn; the use of synthetic hormones to promote growth in livestock) |
| F3.1 | Explain various methods used, over time, in the field of biotechnology (e.g., use of living organisms to make or modify products, selective breeding to create particular breeds of animals, manipulation of genes to develop organisms with particular traits) |
| F3.2 | Explain the structure and functions of macromolecules (e.g., DNA, RNA) and the synthesis of proteins (e.g., transcription, translation, gene expression) |
| F3.3 | Describe applications of biotechnology in the health (e.g., genomics, gene therapy, xenotransplantation, in vitro fertilization), agricultural (e.g., genetically modified crops, biopesticides, cloning), and environmental sectors (e.g., bioremediation, phytoremediation) |