Heather Earp

The next few years will present myriad opportunities worldwide to use biotech trees to restore threatened tree species, protect forests from invasive pests and climate change, and meet global demand for forest products. But these advances have led to these questions:

* What uses of biotech trees are considered?
* What preconceived notions are there about biotech trees?
* What trade-offs must be considered when using biotech trees versus traditionally bred trees?
* How can biotech trees be safely used to meet future demand for bioenergy?
* What would a biotech forest look like and how would it positively or adversely affect wildlife and forest ecosystems?

Heather Earp will create an engaging curriculum unit for middle or high school students that explores forest biotechnology. She will focus on science, technology, engineering and math but will also integrate pressing social issues. Opportunities exist to explore forest biotechnology in various settings including a lab setting, field, and production facility.