Development of STEM tissue culture module in promoting plant biotechnology

Abstract

Tissue culture is a part of modern biotechnology, which offers a lot of potential in tackling food security, genetic conservation and plant breeding. Thus, it is important to introduce plant biotechnology to the young generation in order to foster their positive attitude, which ultimately in the future, will result in human capital and public awareness in the field itself. This study focused on the development of STEM tissue culture module as a teaching aids to introduce plant biotechnology and exposing the variety of STEM career at school level among primary school students of ages 10-12 years old. This module consists of four activities focusing on the seed identification, water transportation in plants, grass doll and carrot tissue culture. Based on the conducted survey, 80% of the participants exhibited interest in the tissue culture module with 42% reacted positively on the statement that this module triggered their curiosity on plant biotechnology. Hence, this module is a promising teaching aid to promote STEM especially in plant biotechnology.