• Settling the Solar System
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• Psychology of Law
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• The History of Life on Earth
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• Brave New World: Understanding Your Genetic Future
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• 2D Animation and Website Design with Macromedia Flash
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• Computer Game Programming
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• Better Living Through (Environmental) Chemistry
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• Body Quest: An Exploration in Anatomy and Physiology
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• Compu-tekhne - The Computer as Tool
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• The Dark Sky - Serious Questions for Real Astronomers
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• The Science of Strength
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• To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before: Doing Experimental Mathematics
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• Water, Water, Everywhere, Nor Any Drop to Drink

Brave New World: Understanding Your Genetic Future

One student's description of Brave New World:  Understanding Your Genetic Future:

In the 2008 Governor’s School Brave New World class, fourteen students studied topics about genetics, biotechnology, and DNA, under the instruction of Dr. Rebecca Ross. Upon the first week of class we watched movies on the Genome Project and Polymerase Chain Reaction. Later on, we also conducted labs on the karyotyping of chromosomes, Lambda DNA electrophoresis, DNA extraction from strawberries, and the transformation of E. coli.

In the E. coli lab we were able to use plasmids and pGlow gene to cause the bacteria to glow fluorescent green under a black light. In another lab we practiced inserting genes into plasmids using paper-made models. Shortly after altering our plasmid rings, we proceeded to wear them as hats and stood outside the Hobbs building for a classic Kodak moment.

Along with indoor class time, students were able to visit universities. The Virginia Tech field trip allowed us to explore microarrays and the sequencing of entire genomes such as the soy plant and grey mouse. Although the lecture on the environmental problems caused by migrating aphids was interesting, the real highlight of that trip was the Virtual Reality Cave. In the Cave students were able to put on 3D glasses and view giant insects and molecular matter. At the University of Virginia, we students received a lecture on “Prenatal Testing and Bioethics." We also toured the Chemistry building and managed to get an up-close and personal look at the high-tech thermocylers, DNA probes, microarrayers, and lasers. While on the tour, we were also able to view some of the new biotechnology equipment still in the making.

One of the most interesting movies we watched during class was Gattaca, a movie about what society might become if people were discriminated against by their own genetic make-up. Along with a wide collection of movie viewing, a series of research projects were given to us on Scientific American articles, genetic diseases, and bioethics. Each of us presented our research topics on Power Point presentations and essay papers. Some genetic diseases researched included hemophilia, progeria, ichthyosis, and Alzheimer’s.

Overall genetics was no doubt a very interesting summer program, and definitely “quite an experience”!