ABE Practices were Introduced at the “4th National Biology Education Congress"!

ABE practices were introduced at the 4th National Biology Education Congress held on 6-7 October 2022, in Turkey. The project team, which participated in the congress with a presentation and a workshop, received positive feedback from the participants.

The congress, which was held at Gazi University in cooperation with Gazi University Gazi Faculty of Education and Science Education and Research Association (FEAD), aimed to meet and interact with academic staff, graduate students and biology teachers working in the field of Biology Education. In a scientific and academic environment where biology education studies in our country are evaluated, the ABE Turkiye team made an oral presentation and a workshop (laboratory practice).

In the presentation titled "The Effect of the Amgen Biotechnology Experience Program on Teachers' Self-Efficacy Beliefs towards Biotechnology Teaching", the importance of investigating biotechnology education and teachers' self-efficacy beliefs was mentioned, and the research findings revealing the effect of the ABE program on teachers' beliefs about biotechnology teaching were shared with the participants. In the workshop titled “Amgen Biotechnology Experience Program: Tools and Techniques Used in Biotechnology”, the ABE program was introduced, and applications were carried out in micropipetting and gel electrophoresis laboratories, where the participants experienced the process as learners. The presentation and workshop were attended by approximately 40 people in total and received positive feedback from the participants. Here are some of the participant feedback:

It was a great workshop. We learned micropipetting practically. We learned about gel electrophoresis. Science is a wonderful thing!

It was a very enjoyable workshop. It was a laboratory application that we did not know before.

It was a workshop where I could not gain experience as an undergraduate student before. I was extremely happy when I saw it directly, I always wanted to try it. I feel extremely happy. Many thanks to my teachers.

I used a micropipette for the first time as an undergraduate fourth year student. It was very enjoyable and exciting. It was a nice experience.

It was a very entertaining and interactive workshop where I could see our mistakes. Thank you very much for holding such a nice workshop, and also for the positive energy of our teachers :)

The fact that biotechnological devices are large and inaccessible but through accessible and applicable practices, you made great contributions to the removal of correct known mistakes. Thank you :)

I learned how to use a micropipette. I envy you, I would like to be in your place, to conduct experiments in the laboratory.

I technically learned how to use micropipette and running on an agarose gel. Thank you.