Enzyme Instigator is the first Science Suitcase to be developed for the STARS Science Triathlon, a project funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and awarded to UT Southwestern.

Enzyme Instigator was developed by Brenda McArthur in partial fulfillment of the Masters of Arts in Biomedical Communications.  The suitcase consists of

1. •    A movie, playable on computers or in a DVD player, illustrating the principles of enzymes.
   

2. •    A game, Jeopardase.
   

3. •    Physical models showing the interaction of substrates with enzymes.
   

4. •    Two wet labs, illustrating enzyme activity contained in rennet tables and pineapple extracts.  Most materials supplied.
   

5. •    Teacher’s and student’s manuals.
   

6. •    Testing and assessment materials.
   

Enzyme Instigator is designed as a set of teaching tools for ninth grade biology classes.  it is lent to teachers in the DFW area free of charge (provided kit is returned undamaged and with no missing elements).  Contact the STARS office (Kristie.Conner@UTSouthwestern.edu) for other details.

The Enzyme Instigator Science Suitcase

Brenda McArthur, the developer of Enzyme Instigator.

The models of substrates (green, blue, and purple) and enzyme (yellow), being viewed by Marta Petrash at the 2008 Triathlon EVENT 1 workshop.

The bromelain enzyme lab, a part of Enzyme Instigator, performed by Michael Anderson and Joyce Wang at the 2008 workshop.

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