Abstract:

The increasing amount of new information produced in last years in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology fields has considerable implications in our daily life and have also led to increase the scientific questions posed by secondary students.
It was more than 15 years ago when the University of Barcelona started a summer course (1998-1999 school course) responding to the high-school teachers’ need to receive training in the latest scientific developments, in biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology to be precise.
This course wants to be a bridge between the two educational systems, High School and University, with the main goal to help science teachers. Finally, the goal is to increase knowledge and interest in Biochemistry and related sciences in High School students to ensure a new generation of researchers.
The introduction of new concepts and experiments about biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology into secondary school must be motivating and encouraging for teachers and their students. Preparing concepts and laboratory activities directed to High School Teachers were organized.
Some examples of where teachers can find support to help them develop new ideas and bring the “biochemistry concepts” to their classroom have been presented. Secondary science teachers have been introduced in these new approaches both “theoretically” and “practically”. The course includes conferences and experimental sessions. Each conference has showed a summary of one biochemistry topic and some aspects of its research. Furthermore, laboratory sessions have introduced new techniques applied in that biochemistry topic. Some of lectures and experimental approaches have been explained in this work.
It can observe details of how some concepts in biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology have been presented in an stimulating manner to the teachers. Moreover, details of web, university and scientists resources have been offered so that teachers can access to the information and the technical support for their experiments.
The teachers’ opinion was very positive. Their optimistic replies have allowed us make some innovations in the course; add new concepts and experiments to improving teaching biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology in science classroom.

Keywords:

Biochemistry, secondary teachers, summer course.