A few years ago, I read "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks." I really responded to the whole experience from the author's point of view. It was very difficult to imagine what it would have been like for the Lacks's family, then and now. I assigned the book to my college students who are on a path to biology majors, and I recommended it to my nonmajor students who are just as capable of understanding the relevance of this story.
I love teaching students of all ages. But I am drawn to the adult population because the lessons I teach them can be immediately passed to other family members around the dinner table. It can immediately impact their choices and knowledge base as they try to understand their medical histories and futures. And I love it when a random comment or example in class turns on light bulbs in their heads.
Now, I recognized that this subject is important to me. Others are just as passionate about history and politics, math literacy, economics, civil responsibilities and law, arts and philosophy, and all the wonderful areas of knowledge that exist. Good for them. May I be as willing to be literate in those subjects as I am asking my friends, family, and students to be in science. It really does all matter.
http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/7810/
Here are a few images from an activity I do in Biology class called Iron Scientist. The groups are given a topic and a secret ingredient to use as they demonstrate and teach the rest of the class. For instance, balloons become the frame of a Punnett Square and they teach us a genetics cross. By far one of my favorite days in class.
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