Through its schools and community education programs MPBCRC increased the awareness and understanding of both molecular and conventional plant breeding's relationship to Australian agriculture within the community.

Bioinformatics

• Raiders of the Lost Gene - An interactive game designed by a Year 10 student to represent the work of bioinformaticians working to solve plant breeding problems. Suitable for all ages.
• Teacher notes.

Tools and techniques

• Get into Genes magazine - real-life research stories bring science to life. Suitable for senior secondary school students, teachers, early tertiary students. Contains
  • DNA - holding the secret to speedy breeding
  • Frost bites
  • A sprinkling of salt
  • Hayfever free ryegrass - nothing to sneeze at
  • Fact finding
  • Glossay

Vodcasts - the tools and techniques of molecular plant-breeding are presented in amusing, bite-sized videos. Suitable for all ages.

• Plant breeding
• Genetic modification
• Molecular Markers
• Gene discovery

Genes or environment?

• The barley survival game - play your way to a better understanding of how environmental change influences the development of plant species over time. Suitable for junior secondary students.

Workshops

Get into Genes is an award-winning hands-on workshop for secondary school students that highlights the applications of biotechnology to agriculture. The Get into Genes program will continue as a joint program conducted by the Dairy Futures CRC and the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics.

Follow this link to the Get into Genes website http://www.getintogenes.com.au/

Mendelian inheritance

• Gene Genius - a beautifully illustrated, interactive animation presenting the history of genetics. Includes puzzles and quizzes. Suitable for junior secondary school students. To view the game, scroll to the bottom of this page.
• Student worksheet.
• Teachers notes.