This summer three high school teachers worked with faculty from the Rutgers Protein Data Bank to develop a curriculum unit that focuses on the pandemic. Its entitled "COVID-19 in Molecular Detail" and targets students in grades 9 -14.

Its completely online and free. The units are downloadable and teachers can request 'teacher only' resources and answer keys by emailing Dr. Shuchismita Dutta, Ph. D. at sdutta@rcsb.rutgers.edu or shuchi.dutta@rcsb.orgBelow are a few more details about the new curricular module - “COVID-19 in Molecular Detail” - that can be accessed on the on PDB-101 Website:

·      What is it?

o   It is a free online resource that explores the molecular biology of SARS-CoV-2 focusing on the sequence, structure and function of key proteins in the viral life cycle.

·      Who is it for?

o   The lessons and activities target grades 9 through 14 students.

·      Where to find it?

o   http://pdb101.rcsb.org/teach/covid-19/

·      Who developed it? And When?

o   The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB) at Rutgers University hosted the curriculum development in Summer 2020, as a collaborative effort between Rutgers University scientists, educators and a few NJ high school teachers.

·      Why should you check it out?

o   Topics in the curriculum range from molecular discussions about hand washing, the viral life cycle, the viral evolution, key enzymes and proteins, infection, viral genome expression, disease, testing, treatment, and vaccines.   

o   Answer keys and Teaching notes are available to teachers with a free teacher login.

Watch one of the developers describe the curricular contents in the video at http://pdb101.rcsb.org/teach/covid-19/learning-objective

Have specific questions about the curriculum? Email Shuchismita Dutta at sdutta@rcsb.rutgers.edu.