Teaching the Genome Generation ™ is a platform for teachers and schools to enhance their genetics and genomics instruction through partnership with The Jackson Laboratory's Genomic Education department and the NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA).
Teaching the Genome Generation (TtGG) is designed to provide high school teachers the content knowledge, teaching strategies, and resources needed to enhance student learning in genetics, genomics, and personalized medicine. In TtGG™, students conduct classroom experiments, collect and analyze real data, and discuss the ethical complexities at the intersection of human genomics, research and medicine.
The TtGG curriculum is divided into three major themes, which should be taught in an integrated fashion, rather than isolated units.
Methods involved in isolating, amplifying and detecting human DNA
Methods utilized in analyzing DNA, RNA or amino acid sequences
Ethics involved in genetic testing and genetics research
Through collaboration with TtGG™, teachers have the flexibility to design NGSS-aligned lessons that fit their unique school context and available resources. The TtGG™ curriculum can be used in introductory biology, Honors, electives and AP courses to introduce modern genetics in meaningful ways. The curriculum also supports interdisciplinary teaching, with connections to computer science, social sciences and health.
Support for TtGG-trained educators is provided by Genomics Educators at JAX and by a community of TtGG alumni and other experts who offer guidance and mentorship. The TtGG professional development course has trained hundreds of educators across New England.
We are planning a new professional development schedule and will release more information at a future date.
Explore flexible lesson plans, hands-on labs, ethical case studies, virtual workshops and other classroom-ready resources designed to support engaging, modern science instruction.
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Through grant and gift funding, JAX provides TtGG-trained teachers in Maine and Connecticut with loaner lab kits that include equipment, consumables, and reagents to complete the TtGG laboratory curriculum.
Over a decade of impact
TtGG brings genomics into high school classrooms across New England by equipping educators with ready-to-use curriculum and training.
Since 2014, the program has grown into a regional network with active implementation across all counties in Maine and Connecticut.
The curriculum spans the high school experience, from introductory biology to advanced electives and AP courses, giving educators flexibility to integrate genomics at multiple levels.
Since its launch in 2014, Teaching the Genome Generation™ has made a significant impact on high school teachers and students. The pilot program successfully trained 47 teachers and reached 1,200 students in its first two years. A decade later, the TtGG™ program boasts more than 310 trained educators and nearly 25,000 students impacted across nine states.
More than 20 years ago, when Chikezie O. Madu was a high school science teacher in his native Nigeria, he likely never envisioned his students extracting their own DNA in the classroom and analyzing their genes. Today, he is doing just that as an Advanced Placement biology teacher in the Memphis, TN, Shelby County School District, thanks to the TtGG™ program.
This project is supported by the NIH/National Institute of General Medical Sciences.
The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. TtGG™ is also supported by New England Biolabs and an anonymous gift. Prior support for TtGG™ has also come from the Petit Family Foundation, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation and Jane’s Trust.
Questions? The TtGG staff is always happy to talk to anyone interested in our program. Contact program staff at [email protected].
