About Gene Connection:Chem Connection The 1996 National Science Education Standards define "science literacy" as "the knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes required for personal decision making, participation in civic and cultural affairs, and economic productivity..." Headline medical and biological science news featured weekly in our newspapers and TV programs is a sign of the increased impact of DNA research and its applications to our everyday lives. It is imperative that students understand the science and ponder the powerful implications of this research and technology. GENE CONNECTION:CHEM CONNECTION (GCC)'s goal is to engage, educate and enlighten students about the importance of science in their lives. Our biotechnology-based curricula emphasize key concepts from physics, chemistry and biology and incorporate them into activities simulating research being done in laboratories around the world. As students do the labs and reflect on questions raised, they mirror what scientists do in academic institutions, medical research facilities and biotechnology companies. By providing every high school student in San Mateo County with three to six weeks of these hands-on, minds-on activities, we empower our teenagers to become adults who can apply this knowledge in personal and community decision-making. GCC is completing its 19th year,of providing quality comprehensive support for high tech biotechnology and chemistry curricula for students in 25 high schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 community colleges in San Mateo County. GCC strives to directly impact at least 90% of all high school students one or more times during their academic careers by supporting innovative biotechnology and chemistry laboratory activities that teachers include annually in their science courses. Two high school districts now include GCC as part of their biology course syllabus, and it is a prerequisite unit for the four biotechnology elective programs offered within the county. Over 11,500 students and their 115 teachers in 380 classes will have participated in our program from September 2007 through June 2008. This brings the total number of students who have participated to 138,600 since the program’s inception in 1989. Because we also provide significant, personalized support for our teachers, especially those new to teaching, we are improving the teaching of life science and chemistry classes, and fostering a collaborative community of teachers. Our increased presence in chemistry classes is moving us towards our long-term vision to invigorate all science courses in high school with a high tech unit. Career Outlook: A Brilliant Century for Biologists "Biotech Brainiacs: Gene Connection group teaches the DNA basics"--SF Chronicle June 6, 2001