Classroom

A new generation of scientists is growing up with CRISPR technology. Here's how some high school students learn to edit genes.

The process of altering E. coli DNA with CRISPR involves lab techniques like pipetting liquids and carefully moving bacteria colonies. Scientists engineer a piece of RNA that is a match for the DNA they want to edit. “I just want my kids to be ready for the future of science,” he said. Ms. Gazda believes that hands-on lab lessons help students “open their minds to the idea that they can truly be a scientist.” Several companies sell CRISPR curriculum kits to high schools and universities. Ms. Gazda uses lab classes as an opportunity to share career options with students. It shows students what to expect in an unaltered, or “control” group — a vital part of any scientific experiment. An interactive animation from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute shows students how the Cas9 enzyme changes its shape and snips through the DNA. Students also learn about real-life examples of DNA editing, such as therapies for genetic illnesses including sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis. Teaching a new lab class like CRISPR can be intimidating, says Gregory Jubulis, a high school science teacher who uses the Bio-Rad kit in his biotechnology class. Some specialized public high schools teach CRISPR as a hands-on lesson in biotechnology. To help students better understand complex molecular movements, teachers use tools like paper models, 3-D printed models and online animations. A decade after CRISPR started to become a major tool in genetic research, a new generation of scientists is growing up with the technology.