TransFORMAR Córdoba

The Lab Heroes: Solving Agricultural Infections with Science

Visual Identity Placeholder

Module 1: Biotechnology and Sustainable Farming

Your Learning Path

01 Learning Objectives

  • Understand basic microbiology and genetic concepts.
  • Use specialized vocabulary in English (ESP) for scientific contexts.
  • Analyze scientific processes used in modern farming.

Navigation Guide

Use the scroll or keyboard to navigate. Use the buttons to progress. Click on bold terms for translations (if available).

Preparing for the Story

Task 1: Simple vs. Academic English

Simple English Academic Term
"A very small thing" Microorganism
"To fix or change genes" Genetic Modification
"A small piece of a plant"

Task 2: Technical Definitions

QR CODE PLACEHOLDER
WATCH TRAINING VIDEO

The Investigation Begins

Story Part 1

THE LAB HEROES By Noelia Corso

Maya and Leo are students in a big lab. They see a problem in the farm fields. There is a grey color on the plants. They need to investigate this sudden infection. Maya goes to her workbench.

Story Part 2

She wears gloves and a lab coat. She takes a piece of a sick leaf. She wants to extract a sample. She looks for a small microorganism inside the leaf. Maya and Leo want to help the farmers. They must modify the genes of the plant.

Analyzing the Problem

Before Reading

  • Predict content
  • Scan for headers

While Reading

  • Highlight keywords
  • Contextualize terms

After Reading

  • Summarize main idea
  • Translate key concepts

Task 3: Linguistic Translation

"There is a grey color on the plants. They need to investigate this sudden infection."

Task 4: Academic Protocol Analysis

Why does Maya wear gloves and a lab coat?

Inside the Laboratory

Video Player: The Lab Heroes

[Extraction Protocol]

Task 5: Process Analysis

Order the steps (1-4) of the laboratory process:

Use a centrifuge to separate cell components.

Collect the sample from the infected wheat leaf.

Analyze the extracted genetic code on the computer.

Use a pipette to transfer liquid.

Developing the Cure

Story Part 3

They work hard to fix the genetic code. They want to make the plants strong again. They put the liquid in the water for the plants.

"The grey color goes away. The plants are green and healthy again. Their teamwork and biotechnology saved the day."

Explaining the Solution

Roleplay Activity: Lab Hero

Prepare a speech for the Córdoba Farming Association explaining your discovery.

Keywords to Include:

Biotechnology Genetic modification Resistance

Record your speech or practice with a partner:

Check Your Progress

Academic Upgrading

Rewrite the simple sentences into academic English using the keywords provided.

enhance • implement • transform • pigmentation • vitality • pathogen

EXAMPLE:

"The plants are green" → "The crops have regained their natural pigmentation."

"Changed the code"

"Sickness is gone"

"Water helped"

Module Conclusion

Technical Glossary

Biotechnology
Using biological systems or living organisms to develop products.
Modification
The process of changing something, typically to improve it.
Pathogen
A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
Resistance
The ability of an organism to survive exposure to a pathogen.
Sustainability
The ability to maintain farming processes without damaging the environment.

Final Task: Summary & Translation

Step 1: English Summary (5 sentences)

Step 2: Spanish Translation

CONGRATULATIONS!

You have completed the Biotechnology Module.