Students from Edmonton’s J. Percy Page High School together with students from Markham’s Middlefield Collegiate (who will be on location at the OSC), will interact through live videoconferencing in exploring applications of DNA fingerprinting in forensics work and methods and protocols of DNA replication.

In preparation for the event, the Edmonton students have sent their own hair samples to the OSC for analysis. The Markham students will run these samples through a method used to replicate and fingerprint DNA known as the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) protocol. At the conclusion of the exercise, the Edmonton students will be able to view their own DNA.

Both schools will then perform a joint mystery skit using what they have learned in the lab. They will single out the DNA sample belonging to the perpetrator of a simulated crime.

York University technology education course instructor Ray Bowers will be on hand with OSC forensic experts to facilitate the learning experience.

This program was conceived and developed in conjunction with York University’s ABEL (Advanced Broadband Enabled Learning) project that allows students and teachers in different locations to interact with one another and share education tools, such as PowerPoint and digital video, in real time.

"This program at the Ontario Science Centre demonstrates how York University is a leader in leveraging technology to bring students and teachers together in Ontario and across Canada to enrich and expand the learning experience," said Janet Murphy, ABEL project manager. "By connecting people face to face and forming partnerships with the OSC, ABEL is using collaborative technology to enhance learning environments and solve traditional curriculum challenges."

Funded by CANARIE Inc. (Industry Canada), ABEL seeks to improve student success and transform teacher professional practice through the use of broadband technology in Canadian schools by creating sustainable inter-jurisdictional and inter-institutional collaborations and communities. Over 300 educators at 13 sites in K-12 and post secondary institutions in Ontario and Alberta have connected to create a thriving learning community. The ABEL community is made up of teachers, school administrators, university faculty and researchers, pre-service teachers and public and private partners.

The Ontario Science Centre is located at 770 Don Mills Road in Toronto; J. Percy Page High School is located at 2707 Millwoods Road NW (next door to the Mill Woods Recreation Centre), Edmonton. **Media welcome to attend.

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