New Session Planned for 2009 meeting:
Plant In Vitro Culture Laboratory Exercises
Monday, June 8, 2009, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Convener: Michael E. Kane, University of Florida
Session Abstract
College science teachers often need new and exciting approaches to engage students during laboratory sessions. In vitro biology exercises are easy to incorporate into science courses. Many students have limited exposure to in vitro biology, yet become very interested once exposed to various in vitro techniques. Including in vitro techniques into laboratory curriculum is an exciting approach to teach students critical thinking and basic laboratory skills. However, the availability of reliable, effective, and efficient laboratory exercises is often limited. During this symposium an overview of four unique in vitro plant tissue culture laboratory exercises will be presented.
10:30 Introduction (Michael Kane)
10:40 Using Tobacco to Teach Plant Tissue Culture and Transformation
Margaret Young, Elizabeth City State University
11:00 A Classroom Exercise in Asymbiotic Orchid Seed Germination: The Whole Story
Timothy R. Johnson and Philip Kauth, University of Florida
11:20 Using Plant Tissue Culture to Demonstrate Plant Mineral Nutrient Deficiencies: Comparison with Conventional Hydroponic Techniques
Michael Bosela, Indiana University- Purdue University – Fort Wayne
11:40 A Novel Teaching Exercise to Demonstrate Synthetic Seed Technology
Michael Kane, University of Florida
Submitted by Mike Kane
Philip White Award for Plant Tissue Culture Training:
Those of you with students working in plant tissue culture should have your students apply for this award. It was developed especially for students who need specific hands-on plant tissue culture training. If you need help finding a host lab, please contact Carol Stiff at kck@turbonet.com
Philip White Memorial Award
GUIDELINES FOR COMMITTEE
- The Philip White Memorial Award is a study award made in honor of Dr. Philip R. White, an eminent pioneer, teacher and researcher in plant cell and tissue culture techniques.
- The fund is to be used to supplement expenses for a student to further study plant tissue culture by acquiring specialized training in a plant-tissue-culture related technique not available at his/her home institution, by traveling to another laboratory. A stipend of up to $650 is awarded yearly for travel to, and training at, an institution of the awardees’ choice. It should not be used to supplement living expenses at a home institution.
- The award can be used to supplement other awards or scholarships, provided such other awards are not total payment for training.
- It must be used for direct training in a technique that involves plant tissue culture.
- Applicants for the award must substantiate that the training will extend their ability to perform research and/or development in a field which requires plant tissue culture. Applicants must be able to demonstrate interest and scholastic achievement,
- Please note that this is not restricted to U.S. residents.
Applicants need to provide via email:
- A statement of objectives and past training
- Type of training they will receive and where
- A letter from the volunteer trainer indicating that they will agree to train the person in specific tissue culture techniques at a specific site and a specific time period
- A list of funds needed for travel to the training site (airfare, hotels, meals, etc.)
- Letters of recommendation from two sources who are familiar with the applicants prior training and can substantiate that the applicant is a student
All materials should be emailed or faxed (1-608-868-2851) to the chairman of the Philip White Committee by March 1. The current chairman is Carol Stiff, kck@turbonet.com.
Recipients of the award will be notified prior to the SIVB annual meeting in June.
Submitted by Carol Stiff
Seeking Ideas, Workshop Instructors and Grant Writers for Plant Science Education Projects
Carol M. Stiff is the new president and executive director of Kitchen Culture Education Technologies Inc. (KCET) and its subsidiary, the Home Tissue Culture Group (HTCG). KCET, based in Milton, Wisconsin, is a 501(c )(3) non-profit company dedicated to promoting plant science education. Its primary goal is to seek funding through donations and grants to support workshops and supplies for hobbyists, teachers and community groups. KCET/HTCG will initially present regional workshops on home and classroom plant tissue culture and sell affordable hobby kits and supplies. In the process of teaching the workshops, new instructors will be trained so they can teach future regional classes. Teaching plant tissue culture in the classroom is an effective and exciting way to introduce students to plant morphology and anatomy, plant physiology, biochemistry, horticulture, sterile technique, laboratory procedures and the scientific method. Bringing plant tissue culture to hobbyists, nurserymen, Master Gardeners and other community groups introduces them to a new and fun technology that they can do year round in their homes using inexpensive equipment while enhancing their knowledge of plant science and how it relates to every day life.
If you have an idea for a plant science education project and need a non-profit to work with, please contact us. If you know of grants available that fit our goals, please route information our way and/or write a grant with us. If you are interested in being a regional instructor of one of our plant tissue culture workshops, please contact us. More information can be found at www.kitchencultureEducation.org and www.hometissueculture.org or contact Carol directly at carol@kitchencultureEducation.org
Submitted by Carol Stiff
