The great thing about studying biotechnology is that it is a field that is constantly changing. In the course of the semester you spend in biology, it is almost guaranteed that some new biotechnology innovation will have occurred. In this unit, you will get a taste of what it is like to be one of those innovators. You will use what you learn about biotechnology to come up with an idea for a product and then pitch it for a mock episode of Shark Tank. Good luck!
Blueprint and Timeline
Driving Question:
How can DNA technology benefit society and produce a profit?
Learning Objectives:
Skills:
How can DNA technology benefit society and produce a profit?
Learning Objectives:
Skills:
- Research
- Collaboration
- Creative Thinking
- Persuasive Presentation
- Bio.3.3.1 Interpret how DNA is used for comparison and identification of organisms.
- Bio.3.3.2 Summarize how transgenic organisms are engineered to benefit society.
- Bio.3.3.3 Evaluate some of the ethical issues surrounding the use of DNA technology (including cloning, genetically modified organisms, stem cell research, and Human Genome Project).
Introduction to Biotechnology
Before you can come up with your product idea, you need to know what the possibilities are. Biotechnology can be divided roughly into six areas: cloning, stem cells, GMOs, DNA profiling, biowarfare, and the Human Genome Project. Each student will be assigned one area to do background reading about, and then work in a small group to create a poster showcasing the basics of the assigned area of biotech. These posters will then be shared with the class so that everyone can become familiar with all six areas.
Virtual Labs
In order to really understand biotechnology, there are some important processes to learn. In order to do this, you will engage with two virtual labs, one on electrophoresis and one on DNA fingerprinting. Remember these processes when you are working on the next step!
Biotechnology Shark Tank
Once you have gotten an overview of what biotechnology can do, it's time to get creative. You will work together with your company to:
- Come up with an idea for a product that makes use of at least one of these technologies, and fills a need or want for people.
- Determine all of the following:
- The chosen market and what they want or need.
- A description of what your product is.
- Why people will want to buy your product. (Include sales strategies you will use.)
- A thorough description of how the biotechnology involved in creating your product would work
- An overview of any ethical concerns that might be raised by your product, and your answers to these concerns
- An analysis of the financial prospects, including how many of your product you think you can sell, how much you expect to sell each unit for, and your anticipated annual profits. Use this to determine how much money you will ask for and what percentage of your company you will offer.
- The chosen market and what they want or need.
- Use the information determined above to create a 1-1.5 page written proposal and a five minute verbal pitch for your product.
- Determine what your product would look like and create a prototype using recycled / found / repurposed materials. (In other words, please do not buy any materials for this product.)
- Design and create packaging for your product, which should also incorporate a company name and logo.
- Present your pitch, show your product, and be prepared to answer any and all questions the Sharks may have!