Food control and a citizen science approach for improving teaching of Genetics in universities

Abstract

A Citizen Science approach was implemented in the laboratory practices of Genetics at the University of Oviedo, related with the engaging topic of Food Control. Real samples of food products consumed by students at home (students as samplers) were employed as teaching material in three different courses of Genetics during the academic year 2014-2015: Experimental Methods in Food Production (MBTA) (Master level), and Applied Molecular Biology (BMA) and Conservation Genetics and Breeding (COMGE) (Bachelor/Degree level). Molecular genetics based on PCR amplification of DNA markers was employed for species identification of 22 seafood products in COMGE and MBTA, and for detection of genetically modified (GM) maize from nine products in BMA. In total six seafood products incorrectly labeled (27%), and two undeclared GM maize (22%) were found. A post-Laboratory survey was applied for assessing the efficacy of the approach for improving motivation in the Laboratory Practices of Genetics. Results confirmed that students that worked on their own samples from local markets were significantly more motivated and better evaluated their Genetic laboratory practices than control students (χ(2) = 12.11 p = 0.033). Our results suggest that citizen science approaches could not be only useful for improving teaching of Genetics in universities but also to incorporate students and citizens as active agents in food control. © 2016 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 44(5):450-462, 2016.

Lab experience with seafood control at the undergraduate level: Cephalopods as a case study

“…To interpret the alpha coefficient, it is widely accepted that this value must be equal to or greater than 0.70 to show the sufficient reliability . The survey results were compared with the results obtained from the 2015 COMGE practical lessons . All statistical analyses, including the comparison between the groups in terms of the means and distributions, were conducted using nonparametric tests (Mann–Whitney tests) in IBM SPSS statistics.…”

“…The survey items in the current lab practices revealed means close to or above four (out of five) in the student survey results (Figure a). A comparison revealed significant differences in favor of the results of Borrell et al (in which students were also the samplers) for producing more comments to students' families as well as better understanding and learning perception when working with actual cases (Figure a). However, a greater impact on changing habits (i.e., reading labels) and a higher level of satisfaction with the practices was obtained in the current survey (Figure a).…”

“…After the discussion and in order to assess the efficacy of the active learning strategy to increase student motivation, 12 items were answered on a voluntary survey that was applied to all the samples (Annex 2) with a 100% response ratio. The content validity of the survey to measure the motivation of the students was previously assessed by Borrell et al In this instrument, the students scored various aspects of the practices from 1 (least) to 5 (most appreciated) on a Likert scale. Additionally, one item was used to compare their satisfaction with other practical lessons (item XII, Annex 2) and to determine their motivation related to the practical lessons in which actual samples were analyzed in laboratory classes.…”

“…The hot topics of mislabeling and seafood fraud have proven to be useful resources for improving students' motivation and developing active learning methodologies in higher education . Motivation can be achieved when students learn and simultaneously solve social problems that are relevant to their communities by participating in school projects .…”

Development and validation of an undergraduate laboratory activity exploring the dna analysis of pet food

“…Recently, high throughput analysis (facilitated by Next Generation Sequencing platforms) has provided the opportunity to identify several ingredients in a complex mixture via barcoding . A handful of teaching labs have been documented that successfully utilize conventional and next‐generation barcoding in an educational setting . In particular, Cold Spring Harbor has developed a years‐long project using barcoding to engage thousands of high school students though their Barcoding 101 project .…”