Current research in the field of life sciences is making rapid progress and is being driven strongly by the so-called genome research. Potential applications open many fascinating perspectives in medicine and agriculture, for industrial processes and the environment. Relevant issues are, for example, stem cell technology, reproduction technology, molecular diagnostics as well as applications using gene technology. These developments may have a strong influence on the life of single individuals as well as on the society as a whole. The public viewes certain applications very sceptically. To use the potential of life science research, we need an open dialogue between science and society.

Knowledge of the Austrian public about issues in life sciences is very low compared to other European countries (see Eurobarometer survey 2002). The Austrian media are starting to cover relevant aspects only slowly, often in an unreliable and tendentious way.

The young generation especially should be well informed about the basics, the methods and the applications of life sciences to be able to make informed choices in the future. Nevertheless, the issue is neglected in Austrian schools despite its eminent implications. Actually „genetics“ and „molecular genetics“ are integral, if small parts, in the secondary school curricula for the 8. and 12. grade. Only a few students choose biology as an optional subject and may deepen there their knowledge through school projects work. Thus, means have to be found to integrate current research results into school-teaching. Finally, life sciences should be covered in schools because they represent a growing job market which requires highly qualified personal. Thus, today’s students represent the rising generation of future scientists.

The independent Austrian society dialog<>gentechnik is a competent information office on life sciences and fosters the dialogue between science and the public. Its activities are funded by several ministries. For the target group schools, i.e. teachers and students, it has developed several teaching modules and has organized a number of projects. These projects are funded as a whole or financed in part by the Austrian Ministry of Science, Education and Culture.

dialog<>gentechnik has a large collection of basic information on life sciences, press clippings and materials from various sources which is available at the webpage:
www.dialog-gentechnik.at.

In the special school corner, dialog<>gentechnik presents new opportunities and possible activities for teachers and students, such as lectures and competitions. In addition, a commented list with recommended links to websites of general interest for schools and interactive websites is listed.

dialog<>gentechnik also offers materials that are helpful for teachers (see table). Finally, it organizes experts for lectures in teacher`s training as well as lectures for students.

Materials for teachers:

As a major service, colleagues at dialog<>gentechnik answer requests by phone directly or by sending out information materials or possibly by referring to scientists in the relevant field. They generally arrange contacts with experts in science, but may also arrange them with representatives, for example, from official institutions, social sciences and interest groups. About one third of all requests come from students and teachers. Thus, this service is widely used for school projects.

A regular email-newsletter includes information on gene technology and life science topics regarding new scientific results, press releases and media reports on politics, environment, medicine, patents and ethics. It is free of charge and has been ordered by many teachers and students.

To satisfy the students’ interest for science, it is important for them to be very close to scientists and daily lab life. It is therefore an explicit aim of dialog<>gentechnik to directly involve scientists in its efforts as far as possible. Scientists are very busy with their research and need to be sensitized for public needs for information. Thus, the activities described below are designed to motivate scientists for dialogue.

Simple experiments in gene technology can be carried out at schools with the experimental “School Kit Gene Technology”, which was developed by dialog<>gentechnik. Exact instruction manuals have been worked out and the suitable experiments have been chosen. Care was taken that the experiments need no approbation according to the Austrian gene technology law. Equipment and materials are contained in kind of a protected carrying case. A total of 10 kits are distributed across Austria at cooperating University institutes to facilitate transportation to schools. They can be borrowed from dialog<>gentechnik at little cost. dialog<>gentechnic organizes special training seminars in cooperation with the Austrian teacher-training institutes. There, teachers are instructed in the handling of the kit.

(http://www.eduhi.at/humangenetik)

In cooperation with the Austrian Society of Human Genetics, dialog<>gentechnik organised a school competition on Human Genetics supported by the Austrian Ministery of Education, Science and Culture. Pupils from 15 years onwards from Austrian high schools looked into actual research and developments in the life sciences. They acted on their own initiative and in teams. Many varied and creative projects were produced, partly by using the new media.

The competition demonstrated that life sciences are extremely suited for project-based and cross-curricular teaching. Defined issues can be dealt with wide interdisciplinarity: English is the scientific language and ethical and social aspects are important for a differentiated view.

More than 600 Austrian students participated in about 50 projects, mainly dealing with ethical and social concerns. The entire palette of current human genetics problems was taken up, ranging from new reproduction techniques, therapeutic cloning, the human genome project, gene diagnosis, gene therapy, xenotransplantation to social problems such as handicaps or aging.

A total of 18 subjects included not only biology, religion, English and computer science top themes but also the arts and musics. Students also looked for co-operation with representatives from science, economy and politics. Some made surveys and interviews, a few launched social projects.

Several projects achieved broad effects. Variety and creativity were mirrored in the means of presentation. Several WEB-pages were made.

The competition’s format was exported to Switzerland, where a similar project was organized in 2003.

(www.gen-au.at)

Currently, dialog<>gentechnik has been commissioned with the public relations for the Austrian genome research program „GEN-AU“, which was initiated by the Austrian Ministry of Science, Education and Culture. It started in 2001 and currently comprises 12 projects in the fields of natural sciences and an additional 6 projects dealing with ethical, social and legal aspects (ELSA).

Within the scope of GEN-AU, dialog<>gentechnik conceptualized several activities especially for schools. The activities are carried out in cooperation with the GEN-AU bureau and a communication agency.

4. Student’s program on the “GEN-AU Day of Discussion 2004”

In 2004, more than 80 students and teachers from technical college and several secondary schools participated at the GEN-AU day of discussion in Graz. Its topic was „Genome research and medicine: what does that mean for me?“. Target groups were students and general public. The student’s program comprised a morning lecture held by a GEN-AU project leader. The talk was followed by personal meetings and vivid discussions with GEN-AU scientists. This took place in the frame of a poster session, where all GEN-AU projects including the ELSA projects were presented. After the poster session, all students were invited for a final discussion where they asked questions concerning GEN-AU and ELSA projects as well as on other current scientific topics like cloning etc. They were also learning about daily lab life and professional opportunities in this field. Students and teachers were enthusiastic about this kind of dialogue. Finally, several students asked for a place to perform their diploma work. Currently, this day of discussion is being evaluated scientifically by the Stiftung Risiko-Dialog in St. Gallen (Switzerland) to learn about the perception of the chosen format and about the special needs of students. Results will be available in autumn.

In June 2003, the Austrian ministry of science and research took a snap decision to organize a GEN-AU summer school as a pilot project. 17 high school students aged 16 years or more worked for 3-4 weeks in GEN-AU laboratories all over Austria. The students were payed with 200 Euro for their work and an insurance was provided. Students had to write reports which are presented at http://www.gen-au.at. Some of the students wrote newspaper articles about their experience. One article was published in the Austrian daily newspaper „Der Standard“ in autumn 2003. Some very motivated students even produced a radio broadcast. After the courses, the coaching scientists and the students themselves answered questions concerning the idea, timing, performance etc. of the summer school. The feedback showed a high motivation at both sides.

On the basis of the feedback the GEN-AU summer school 2004 was planned on a lager scale. It was announced in February to enable better planning for scientists and students. Again, students were paid with 200 Euro for their work and an insurance was provided. Lab places were organized in the months of March and April and many GEN-AU scientists were interested in the project. At the end, 50 lab places in all but one of the 12 GEN-AU projects were available. Student applicants had to explain their motivation. Applications could easily be distinguished: some students wrote only, that they „would like to get a place“, whilst others underlined their special interest with previously performed activities such as participation in the „chemistry olympiade“, school project work or the visit of relevant lectures. Outstanding applications even included essays on actual hot topics in the life sciences. Out of 250 applications, around 100 were selected in a first round. Out of these, the scientists could make their choice in personal talks. Again, all students wrote reports which will be presented at http://www.gen-au.at and, in addition, in a year-book. The best documentation will be awarded in an award ceremony in autumn.

The criteria for judgment comprise content, presentation and special qualities such as media work. Feedback from the direct tutors and the age of the students was taken into account The jury members are representatives of science, school, media and the ministry. Nine prizes and certificates for all participants were provided.

As a consequence of the success of the GEN-AU summer school, the Austrian Ministery of Science, Research and Education is currently considering the broadening of the initiative and the involvement of other fields in addition to the life sciences in future summer schools.

It is a special concern of dialog<>gentechnik to involve the young generation in the dialogue about actual topics in life sciences. Thus, the society permanently makes efforts to conceive suitable projects and their funding. Currently, it is setting up a national e-Learning project with the aim that students themselves produce cross-curricular teaching material about stem cells and cloning.

dialog<>gentechnik is expanding its expertise by coordinating an EU-funded project networking European bioscience information officers. The project http://ecod-bio.org offers a range of useful bioscience informations (frequently asked questions/answers, commented links to excellent websites and teaching materials) as well as a picture pool offering high-quality graphics downloadable free of charge for educational purposes. Within the project, a working group on schools aims at developing a catalogue of recommendations for effective bioscience communication with the target group schools (see http://intranet.ecod-bio.org).