Illinois Survey of Critical Technologies

Concept Resources

Biosciences

ASTROBIOLOGY

The scientific study of life in the universe – its origin, evolution, distribution, comparability to Earth and human habitation, and future prospects.

Astrobiology 101 gives a good, short introduction to astrobiology
NASA's Astrobiology Institute provides helpful links for teachers and students
Lesson plans for middle school and high school students
Activities for middle school students
Web resources for links to Hubble telescope and astrobiology activities

BIOMATERIALS

Synthetic or natural materials that can replace or augment tissues, organs or body functions.

Introduction with good illustrations

BIOMECHANICS

The use of the principles of mechanics to explore and engineer solutions to biological problems.

Definition of biomechanics in layman's terms
Lesson plan on biomechanics

BIOTECHNOLOGY

The use of microorganisms, live plant or animal cells or their parts to create new
products or to carry out biological processes aimed at genetic improvement for the benefit of people.

Lab experiments standards-based lessons for high school students; materials for teachers
The Biotechnology Institute offers “Shoestring Biotechnology” and other education resources
Lab experiments and web resources for teachers from the Biotech Project

NATURAL PRODUCTS

Chemical compounds, naturally produced in plants or by microbial species that are
harvested for use in health care and drug development.

Journal of Natural Products is an academic journal on drug discovery and other natural product research

RECOMBINANT DNA

DNA that has been altered by joining genetic material from two different sources
to study the expression of a gene.

Historical timeline and narrative of the Human Genome Project; teaching materials
Standards-based lesson plans and teaching resources
KidsGenetics has general information and a DNA game

Environmental and Energy Technologies

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Study of alternative ways to produce energy for both stationery (e.g. power plant) and non-stationary (e.g. automobiles and aircraft) applications. Alternative fuel sources include wind and solar power, hydrogenated biofuels, and fuel sells, among others.

Activities and information for K-12 from U.S. Department of Energy
Alternative Fuels Data Center

BIOREMEDIATION

The processes by which naturally occurring or modified organisms act to degrade or transform hazardous organic contaminants.

Overview of bioremediation and clear examples
Earth 911 Kids activities

FUEL CELL

Devices for generating electrical energy directly from chemical energy. It differs from a battery in that the chemicals are not stored in the cell. Rather, they are fed into it as power is needed.

This animation explains how one type of fuel cell works
General information about fuel cells
How fuel cells work designed for kids

GREEN TECHNOLOGY

Industrial technologies and applications modified to reduce, prevent, or eliminate
environmental damage.

Chicago Center for Green Technology
Overview article on green technology
Environmental Protection Agency KIDS site

Human Health and Development

BIODEFENSE

Use of various biotechnologies to respond to the intentional use of pathogens
(bioterrorism) by detecting, identifying, assessing, and neutralizing pathogens.

Fact sheet from the White House
Lesson plans for high school
Bioterrorism and the role of public school teachers; curricular materials
Biodefense Education.org provides learning opportunities for teachers

BIOINFORMATICS

Use of computers in biology-related sciences to organize, interpret, and predict
biological structure and function. Bioinformatics is usually applied in the context of analyzing DNA sequence data.

General overview of bioinformatics
Bioinformatics and Genomics Center at NIU

GENE THERAPY

Introducing a normal, functional copy of a gene into a cell for the purpose of correcting defective, disease-causing genes.

FAQs on Gene Therapy
Lesson plan in genetic engineering
Lesson plans for grades K-12 from DiscoveryKids.com

GENOMICS

The study of an organism’s full complement of genes to enable understanding of their expression and sequencing.

Education page from the National Human Genome Research Institute
Educational materials and teaching tools from the U.S. Department of Energy
Glossary of genetic terms
Dolan DNA Learning Center with info on DNA and engaging interactive features
Genetic Science Learning Center from the University of Utah

PROTEOMICS

The study of the totality of proteins in an organism. Studying the form and functions of proteins with the aid of supercomputers complements the scientific advances being made by the mapping of the genomes.

American Medical Association general overview
Animation for identifying proteins

STEM CELLS

The study and application of undifferentiated (stem) cells that can be grown and maintained to differentiate into a variety of different cell types with select biological functions.

National Institute of Health's basic information on stem cells
Animation with interesting explanation for kids
Guide to teaching stem cells, sample lesson plans, for middle and high school students
Introduction to the 5 types of stem cells, learning activities

Information Technology and Communications

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Computers and hardware that can make intelligent decisions based on sensory
feedback.

Brief history of artificial intelligence
Educators’ links from the American Association for Artificial Intelligence
Q & A about artificial intelligence

ALGORITHMS

A finite set of step-by-step instructions for problem solving or computational procedures, especially ones that can be implemented by a computer.

Dictionary of terms
Basics of algorithms

DATA WAREHOUSING AND MINING

The process of collecting, processing, filtering, extracting and refining
useful knowledge from large databases.

GRAPH THEORY

The study of graphs either for their own sake or as models of such diverse things as groups (in pure mathematics) or computer networks.

Interactive tutorial on graph theory
Lessons on graph theory
Graph-making for kids
Lesson on types of graphs

MODELING COMPLEX NONLINEAR SYSTEMS

Systems which are not characterizable by linear or first-order equations, but are governed by any variety of complex, reciprocal relationships or feedback loops.

Overview of concept
Ask Dr. Math about non-linear systems
Wikipedia introduction to complex nonlinear systems
Simplified explanation

QUANTUM COMPUTING

Information processing that can be performed only by harnessing physical phenomena unique to quantum physics, with performance expected to exceed a billion times faster than today’s most powerful supercomputer.

Explanation of Quantum Computing
Timeline of Quantum Computing for kids

Materials Science and Advanced Manufacturing

BIOPOLYMERS

Polymeric material produced from or by biological sources, for example, biodegradable plastics that are synthesized by living organisms.

Biopolymer.net site offers links to many resources
Lesson plan adaptable for elementary and middle grades, based on Illinois Learning Standards

CELESTIAL MINING

The search for, excavation and processing, or essential elements and materials on
extra-terrestrial bodies (planets, asteroids, etc).

Basics about space exploration
NASA sites for students
NASA sites for educators

NANOTECHNOLOGY

Development and use of materials, structures, or devices that have a size of less
than 2000 nanometers. Production of devices on this small scale saves space and resources, resulting in improved effi ciency and processing speed.

Introduction for students
Nanoscience, the small small world in laymen’s language
The Institute for Nanotechnology
Educational portal includes K-12 teaching materials and activities

SMART MATERIALS

Materials that have imbedded sensors and actuators so that they can sense and react to their environments.

Brief definition and examples
Overview on smart materials, dumb materials, applications, and the future

Help us build this resource! More and better materials for teaching critical technologies will be posted here. Send to p20@niu.edu.

Home Contacts Links News

Summary Report Executive Summary Preface Summary of Findings Research Methodology What Teachers Told Us Survey Items Concept Definitions	Concept Resources Biosciences ASTROBIOLOGY The scientific study of life in the universe – its origin, evolution, distribution, comparability to Earth and human habitation, and future prospects. Astrobiology 101 gives a good, short introduction to astrobiology NASA's Astrobiology Institute provides helpful links for teachers and students Lesson plans for middle school and high school students Activities for middle school students Web resources for links to Hubble telescope and astrobiology activities BIOMATERIALS Synthetic or natural materials that can replace or augment tissues, organs or body functions. Introduction with good illustrations BIOMECHANICS The use of the principles of mechanics to explore and engineer solutions to biological problems. Definition of biomechanics in layman's terms Lesson plan on biomechanics BIOTECHNOLOGY The use of microorganisms, live plant or animal cells or their parts to create new products or to carry out biological processes aimed at genetic improvement for the benefit of people. Lab experiments standards-based lessons for high school students; materials for teachers The Biotechnology Institute offers “Shoestring Biotechnology” and other education resources Lab experiments and web resources for teachers from the Biotech Project NATURAL PRODUCTS Chemical compounds, naturally produced in plants or by microbial species that are harvested for use in health care and drug development. Journal of Natural Products is an academic journal on drug discovery and other natural product research RECOMBINANT DNA DNA that has been altered by joining genetic material from two different sources to study the expression of a gene. Historical timeline and narrative of the Human Genome Project; teaching materials Standards-based lesson plans and teaching resources KidsGenetics has general information and a DNA game Environmental and Energy Technologies ALTERNATIVE FUELS Study of alternative ways to produce energy for both stationery (e.g. power plant) and non-stationary (e.g. automobiles and aircraft) applications. Alternative fuel sources include wind and solar power, hydrogenated biofuels, and fuel sells, among others. Activities and information for K-12 from U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center BIOREMEDIATION The processes by which naturally occurring or modified organisms act to degrade or transform hazardous organic contaminants. Overview of bioremediation and clear examples Earth 911 Kids activities FUEL CELL Devices for generating electrical energy directly from chemical energy. It differs from a battery in that the chemicals are not stored in the cell. Rather, they are fed into it as power is needed. This animation explains how one type of fuel cell works General information about fuel cells How fuel cells work designed for kids GREEN TECHNOLOGY Industrial technologies and applications modified to reduce, prevent, or eliminate environmental damage. Chicago Center for Green Technology Overview article on green technology Environmental Protection Agency KIDS site Human Health and Development BIODEFENSE Use of various biotechnologies to respond to the intentional use of pathogens (bioterrorism) by detecting, identifying, assessing, and neutralizing pathogens. Fact sheet from the White House Lesson plans for high school Bioterrorism and the role of public school teachers; curricular materials Biodefense Education.org provides learning opportunities for teachers BIOINFORMATICS Use of computers in biology-related sciences to organize, interpret, and predict biological structure and function. Bioinformatics is usually applied in the context of analyzing DNA sequence data. General overview of bioinformatics Bioinformatics and Genomics Center at NIU GENE THERAPY Introducing a normal, functional copy of a gene into a cell for the purpose of correcting defective, disease-causing genes. FAQs on Gene Therapy Lesson plan in genetic engineering Lesson plans for grades K-12 from DiscoveryKids.com GENOMICS The study of an organism’s full complement of genes to enable understanding of their expression and sequencing. Education page from the National Human Genome Research Institute Educational materials and teaching tools from the U.S. Department of Energy Glossary of genetic terms Dolan DNA Learning Center with info on DNA and engaging interactive features Genetic Science Learning Center from the University of Utah PROTEOMICS The study of the totality of proteins in an organism. Studying the form and functions of proteins with the aid of supercomputers complements the scientific advances being made by the mapping of the genomes. American Medical Association general overview Animation for identifying proteins STEM CELLS The study and application of undifferentiated (stem) cells that can be grown and maintained to differentiate into a variety of different cell types with select biological functions. National Institute of Health's basic information on stem cells Animation with interesting explanation for kids Guide to teaching stem cells, sample lesson plans, for middle and high school students Introduction to the 5 types of stem cells, learning activities Information Technology and Communications ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Computers and hardware that can make intelligent decisions based on sensory feedback. Brief history of artificial intelligence Educators’ links from the American Association for Artificial Intelligence Q & A about artificial intelligence ALGORITHMS A finite set of step-by-step instructions for problem solving or computational procedures, especially ones that can be implemented by a computer. Dictionary of terms Basics of algorithms DATA WAREHOUSING AND MINING The process of collecting, processing, filtering, extracting and refining useful knowledge from large databases. History and examples Q&A on Data Warehousing and Mining GRAPH THEORY The study of graphs either for their own sake or as models of such diverse things as groups (in pure mathematics) or computer networks. Interactive tutorial on graph theory Lessons on graph theory Graph-making for kids Lesson on types of graphs MODELING COMPLEX NONLINEAR SYSTEMS Systems which are not characterizable by linear or first-order equations, but are governed by any variety of complex, reciprocal relationships or feedback loops. Overview of concept Ask Dr. Math about non-linear systems Wikipedia introduction to complex nonlinear systems Simplified explanation QUANTUM COMPUTING Information processing that can be performed only by harnessing physical phenomena unique to quantum physics, with performance expected to exceed a billion times faster than today’s most powerful supercomputer. Explanation of Quantum Computing Timeline of Quantum Computing for kids Materials Science and Advanced Manufacturing BIOPOLYMERS Polymeric material produced from or by biological sources, for example, biodegradable plastics that are synthesized by living organisms. Biopolymer.net site offers links to many resources Lesson plan adaptable for elementary and middle grades, based on Illinois Learning Standards CELESTIAL MINING The search for, excavation and processing, or essential elements and materials on extra-terrestrial bodies (planets, asteroids, etc). Basics about space exploration NASA sites for students NASA sites for educators NANOTECHNOLOGY Development and use of materials, structures, or devices that have a size of less than 2000 nanometers. Production of devices on this small scale saves space and resources, resulting in improved effi ciency and processing speed. Introduction for students Nanoscience, the small small world in laymen’s language The Institute for Nanotechnology Educational portal includes K-12 teaching materials and activities SMART MATERIALS Materials that have imbedded sensors and actuators so that they can sense and react to their environments. Brief definition and examples Overview on smart materials, dumb materials, applications, and the future Help us build this resource! More and better materials for teaching critical technologies will be posted here. Send to p20@niu.edu.

Summary Report