TeacherWelcome! My name is April Bernier and I am a science teacher at WECHS. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from Smith College in 2006. This is my ninth year of teaching.
My approach to teaching is student-centered, open-ended, and focused on critical thinking and creativity. It is important to me that my students learn not only science facts, but also how to think like scientists. Throughout the semester, students will be challenged to think critically, form and defend opinions, communicate scientifically, take risks, and examine assumptions. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy reading, camping, woodworking, and spending time with my family. |
CourseIn this course, we will study genetics, the science of human inheritance, through the lens of bioethics, the study of the moral principles of biological science. By learning how genetic inheritance works, we will be able to understand the ways that scientists manipulate these processes, which will allow us to consider the circumstances in which we as a society should (or should not) decide to allow these manipulations.
In ethics, there are no wrong answers, except for those that cannot be backed up by coherent arguments. Therefore, students will be expected to demonstrate understanding of course content, but even more importantly, to use the course content as a basis for supporting their own views. It takes courage to stand by one's convictions in the face of opposition. It takes perhaps more courage to listen to and open mindedly consider those opposing views. In this course, we will challenge ourselves to display this courage, and applaud it in others. Course Syllabus |