In this unit, students will learn about North Carolina’s biotech industry and the five major steps in the drug development process while practicing the 4Cs: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.
North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park established itself as a leader in the biotech industry over the past 20 years and continues to expand its impact in all corners of our world. This industry in North Carolina is a vibrant and rapidly growing sector encompassing a wide range of companies, research institutions, and organizations involved in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and agricultural biotechnology.
North Carolina has emerged as a major hub for biotechnology innovation and commercialization. This unit helps students understand the five drug development process phases and increases their awareness of the research and job potential available in the region.
Grade Level: 10th
Content: Career Exploration, Biology
About the Author
Jessica Odom is an AVID and English educator in Durham, N.C. She has participated in leadership programs at the state and district level including the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership, the NC Education Policy Fellowship, and the Emily K Center Next Steps Teacher Fellowship. In addition to teaching, she strives to build students’ leadership capacity by serving as the Student Government Advisor, and she invests in novice educators by serving as a mentor-teacher for NC State student teachers.
About the Fellowship
The Biogen Foundation sponsored this fellowship, and Emily Norris at Q2 Solutions was the project mentor. Q2 Solutions is a Biotech company that conducts laboratory services for clinical trial research.
During her time at Q2 Solutions, Odom had the opportunity to learn about new technologies used to support various stages of clinical trials. She also met with and learned about various job opportunities within the company from each stage of the drug development process.
Essential Questions
What is Biotechnology? Where is this industry operating in NC?
What are the major steps in the drug development process?
What is a disease you would like to develop a drug or vaccine for to improve the lives of patients?
Time Needed
Parts1-2: Five class periods
Part 3: Five class periods
Standards
North Carolina’s Portrait of a Graduate allows for deeper student learning and skill attainment and bridges the gap between K-12 education and workforce readiness.
This unit is appropriate for courses that teach:
The Activity
Part 1 Pre-Assessment: What do students already know about Biotech and drug development?
- Pre-Assessment Google Form
Part 2 Collaboration and Communication: In small groups/partners, students will collaborate to research key players in NC’s Biotech Industry and the steps involved in drug development. Students can self-select or the teacher can assign a specific topic. Students will then communicate with each other and organize their research into an oral presentation to teach their classmates about their findings.
- Complete Research Notes
Presentation Rubric (1 completed by teacher & 1 completed by a peer to average scores)
Part 3 Critical Thinking and Creativity: Once students understand the drug development process, they will work on research teams to develop a drug that solves a ‘problem’ or a disease.
▪ Poster Rubric (1 completed by teacher and 1 completed as self-assessment to average scores)
Wrap Up and Action
Post-Assessment: What did students learn about Biotech and drug development?
- Post Assessment Google Form: Compare results with the pre-assessment
Extension
- Take learning beyond the classroom by organizing a Field Trip to visit a NC Biotech company
- Build bridges by inviting employees from a biotech company to be guest speakers or to participate on a career panel
- Collaborate with experts by inviting a teacher from your school’s Science Department to be a guest speaker and to elaborate deeper on the Biology and Chemistry aspects of drug and vaccine development