Introduction

The great variety of life on earth that has provided humans with all their needs since time immemorial forms a support system which has been used by civilizations for their growth and development.  Our dependence on nature is so great that man cannot continue to live without protecting the earth’s environmental resources.

Understanding the organization of plants and animals has helped in utilizing the earth’s biological wealth for the benefit of humanity and has been integral to the process of ‘development’.  This includes better health care, better crops and the use of these life forms as raw material for industrial growth. 

Biotechnology has emerged as an area of the future in recent years with immense potential to bring about human welfare and prosperity.  It touches human existence in all its dimensions.

The children of today are the citizens and in many cases policy makers of tomorrow.  It is important to inculcate in them an ethos of responsibility towards bioresources.  Starting a program like the DNA Club program that seeks to proactively involve school children into a process that enhances the development of a better understanding of bio-resources and the role biotechnology can play in their sustainable management and utilization is a small but important step in this direction.

Objectives

• To promote interest and knowledge about natural resources and the environment among the emerging generation.
• To foster concern to protect bioresources and natural heritage
• To increase awareness of the economic, cultural, scientific and aesthetic values of flora and fauna.
• To provide opportunities to acquire values and skills needed to protect and improve the natural environment.
• To make aware the impact that emerging technologies (including biotechnology) have on maintenance and enhancement of bioresources.

Design of the Program
The program includes the following components:

• Teacher Training Workshops

2. School based programs
3. Vacation Training Programs
4. Support through  locale specific material
5. Regular monitoring and evaluation

Guidelines

• The activity of the DNA clubs is a maximum of 25-30 days in an Academic Year (taking into account the holidays and exam schedules). The activities of the clubs are organized in such a way that they do not exert pressure on the students’ defined curriculum. The activities are conducted for about two-three hours every week.  This day is decided based on the convenience of the schools.
• Each DNA club has developed an appropriate managing structure (Comprising of principal, teachers and students at the school level).
• The activities at the DNA Club consist of invited lectures, discussion forums, field visits, practical work and competitions.
• Special (three-four days duration) workshops, camps once/ twice a year  are organized at the schools, during vacation times.
• Membership is restricted to a maximum of 50 students from each school to ensure larger impact of the program.
• A month long Vacation Training Program for selected students who have just appeared for Class X examinations is held in the month of April/May.
• Awardsare instituted for the best students.

• All the school activities are carried out with guidance from the RRA coordinator.

Content of the program
The DNA Club activities are done in two groups.

Classes VI to VIII

The first group consists of students from classes VI to VIII and focuses on bioresources and biodiversity.  The topics included are:

1. Ecosystems: Understanding structure, functions, types
2. Biodiversity: Definition, types of biodiversity, overview of the biodiversity of India and the state
3. Value of biodiversity: Direct and indirect values, social and cultural aspects
4. Major species biodiversity: Understanding evolutionary trends and forces and diversity in mammals, birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians, plants and agrobiodiversity
5. Understanding threats to biodiversity
6. Exploring the links between biotechnology and biodiversity
7. Conserving biodiversity: In-situ and ex-situ measures

Classes IX to XII

The second group consists of students from classes IX and XI and is technical in nature.  The topics included are:

1. Understanding diversity in micro-organisms
2. Understanding biotechnology:  DNA, genes and heredity
3. Understanding traditional uses of biotechnology: Food biotechnology, selective breeding of livestock, genetic modification of crops, tissue culture-growing endangered species, forensics, cloning (uses and ethics)
4. Landscape characterizations: Quadrat analysis, key for species identification, applications of remote sensing

• Characterization of bioresources, species relationship, utilization of molecular markers, bar coding etc.
• Bioprospecting- Rationale, methodology, process and scope

7. Advances in biotechnology: Implications in agriculture, health and environment
8. Societal impact of biotechnology: Patenting and IPR issues, sustainable use of biodiversity, careers in environment and biotechnology

For both the groups, the techniques include exposure visits, discussion forums, hands-on-projects, do-it-yourself activities and competitions and Vacation Training Programs for selected students. 

Programs conducted

Inauguration of the DNA Club

Students understand the importance of biodiversity

Students attend a lecture on ‘Introduction to Biotechnology’

Students explore the world of planktons

Students participate in games which enhanced their knowledge about birds and insects

Activity conducted during a field visit

Students understand the working of an autoclave

Students attend a lecture on ‘Genetic Traits’