# The Phenomenal Genome: Evolving Public Understanding of Genetics in the Post-Mendelian Era

> **NIH NIH R25** · EXPLORATORIUM · 2023 · $244,199

## Abstract

Exploratorium’s The Phenomenal Genome: Evolving Public Understanding of Genetics in the
Post-Mendelian Era project addresses the increasing need to develop genomic literacy in the
public at large. The explosion of genomics research over the past two decades has led to an
increasingly complex picture of the determinants of human health and human phenotypes, and
the applications of this research are now making their way into the clinic, the media, and the
hands of consumers. The goal of this project is to create a model for increasing genomic literacy
through Informal Science Education programming (ISE), creating a pathway for better decision
making for the health of individuals and society at large. The Phenomenal Genome focuses on
general science museum visitors and teachers of middle and high school students.
The core of the Exploratorium’s approach to science education is the creation of intriguing,
provocative and investigable phenomena that are experienced directly and personally through
exhibits, facilitated explorations, programs, and teacher professional development. Over two
years, we will develop, test, and iterate inquiry-based professional development to help teachers
develop understanding and integrate the principles of contemporary genomics and genetics into
their classrooms. 120 middle and high school teachers will be served during this period, and
many more beyond that, as the activities and workshops developed become a regular part of
our teacher professional development programming. A learning scientist specializing in teacher
learning will conduct research to determine which approaches and experiences are most
effective for this context, and why.
In a parallel process, we will develop and test exhibits and experiences on the museum floor for
museum visitors, using a similar iterative process of prototype testing with an embedded
learning scientist to study visitor learning. We plan to define the approaches that work across
audiences and contexts, as well as those that work best in particular contexts.
Through this work, we will develop new resources for teaching and learning contemporary
genomics and genetics, and identify promising practices in communicating contemporary
genomics and genetics in informal spaces across audiences. We will disseminate our findings
via conferences, peer-reviewed articles, and workshops for the ISE community.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10690574
- **Project number:** 5R25GM132926-05
- **Recipient organization:** EXPLORATORIUM
- **Principal Investigator:** Hilleary Osheroff
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $244,199
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-06 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10690574

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10690574, The Phenomenal Genome: Evolving Public Understanding of Genetics in the Post-Mendelian Era (5R25GM132926-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10690574. Licensed CC0.

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