Genetics Learning Communities
		The Genetics Education Partnership (GEP) is an example of a community of learners who are all committed to the learning and teaching of genetics. One of the most exciting aspects of the GEP is the rich diversity of its members. These individuals include teachers and science supervisors from school districts throughout the state, as well as scientists, science educators, and genetics professionals from a variety of universities, professional organizations, and the private sector. The wealth of experience, knowledge and resources brought to the table by this group provided for exciting discussions during the two GEP retreats and was instrumental in the development of the Genetics Education Guide. Through our website, we will be able to extend this partnership to genetics learners everywhere, making this a global community.
		A primary objective of the GEP is to encourage the formation of smaller genetics learning communities in local regions throughout the state. Potential partners in these groups include teachers from all grade levels, parents, and professionals whose practices rely on an understanding of genetics concepts. In addition to scientists, the latter group includes forensics experts, wildlife biologists, farmers, animal breeders, beekeepers, veterinarians, medical doctors and other health care workers, all of whom need to have some understanding of genetics to practice their profession and are potentially rich resources for classroom teachers. Many organizations such as the Audubon Society and the Pacific Northwest Genetics Group have strong educational components with members throughout the state. A number of private sector companies, such as Weyerhauser and Immunex, also participate in educational outreach activities.
		Each of these constituent groups both contributes and gains from involvement in the learning community. Teachers are a valuable resource for each other and the community and can enhance their own learning and teaching from the other participants in their group. Parents can play a vital role by soliciting local funds and resources and encouraging their children's learning. Genetics professionals contribute their unique perspectives on the value of genetics in their careers and benefit from the opportunity to learn from others and promote their professions. By networking within their local community, teachers, parents and other community members can work together to share leaining experiences and instructional materials, leverage resources, plan activities, and bring local examples of genetics practices into classrooms.
		Here are two examples of genetics learning communities in action:
		I. Three GEP participants from the Vancouver area, a scientist from Washington State University and two teachers, are planning to host an in-service training event in Vancouver that will discuss the use and utility of the GEP website and present hands-on activities at the junior and senior high school levels. The junior high group will explore the separation of dyes using petri dishes and 9-volt batteries, while the high school group will carry out an extraction of DNA from soil samples. Through this event, the organizing GEP members will be able to extend the experiences they gained from their participation in the GEP to others in their community.
		II. In the Federal Way area, a scientist from Weyerhauser, Jim Grob, and a middle school science teacher, Bud Cross, collaborated in the development of a hands-on curriculum unit focused on the regeneration biology of the Douglas fir. They piloted the use of the unit in Cross's classroom and have subsequently presented it to other teachers in the region. Through their partnership, they were able to combine Grob's knowledge of the Douglas fir tree and Cross's expertise in presenting materials to middle school students to develop a unit that is relevant to students who live in a state that relies heavily on forest industries. This example of a small scientiftc learning community illustrates the power of teacher-scientist partnerships in bringing innovative science into classrooms.