Welcome to BioBuilder’s Idea Accelerator, a dynamic science and engineering curriculum and experiential learning series for high school students.
 
Created to accommodate virtual, in-person, and hybrid classroom models, BioBuilder can now provide science students, their teachers, and their parents with the online resources they need for a successful academic year.  
 
The Idea Accelerator is our introductory program, helping teams of students get started on the design of new biotechnologies that can make the world a better place.

During the three-week program, students gain access to:

• Five (5) hours of asynchronous lectures in synthetic biology from Dr. Natalie Kuldell, MIT Senior Lecturer in Biological Engineering and BioBuilder’s Founder and Executive Director;
• Complete chapters from BioBuilder’s textbook for pre- and post-lecture readings, as well as new design assignments, and additional reference materials;
• Personalized feedback on assignments, project ideas and the design process from practicing bioengineers and BioBuilder teaching assistants;
• Real-time guidance on student ideas by STEM professionals during three (3) live Office Hours sessions; and
• A Project Showcase, in which student teams present their biotechnology ideas through pre-recorded video or audio presentations.

Logistics

• Hosted through the Canvas educational platform
• Recorded lectures posted on Mondays and Thursdays
• Readings and design assignments posted before and after each recorded lecture
• Weekly live Office Hours sessions (days/times will rotate)
• The last session of the Idea Accelerator, the Project Showcase, will be recorded for those who cannot join at the scheduled time.
• Each cohort is limited to 10 classrooms (11-25 students) or clubs/pods (3-10 students), who may be separated into topic-oriented teams of ~5 students per team.
• Teachers will be sent a separate link for their students to complete a consent form and survey due one (1) week prior to the session start date.

Fees

• Club/Pod (3 - 10 students) = $500.00
• Classroom (11 - 25 students) = $1000.00
• Educator Observer = $50.00 (Access for an educator to observe the course and materials - no student access will be granted)

**BioBuilder is committed to making our life-changing curriculum accessible for all students. We are offering the Idea Accelerator at NO COST to those schools where 50% or more of the student population is eligible for free lunch (as reported on https://www.publicschoolreview.com/).**

Upcoming Dates

The Idea Accelerator will be offered throughout the 2020-2021 academic year. Dates for upcoming sessions are as follows: 

• September 28, 2020 - (Registration closed)
• October 26, 2020 - REGISTER HERE!
• November 30, 2020 - REGISTER HERE!
• January 25, 2021 - REGISTER HERE!
• February 22, 2021 - REGISTER HERE!
• March 22, 2021 - REGISTER HERE!
• April 26, 2021 - REGISTER HERE!

Not sure for which date you'd like to register?

Simply indicate your interest by completing the Idea Accelerator Inquiry Form, and a BioBuilder representative will be in contact with you.

For more information, please view the Course Logistics & FAQs for Teachers.

Questions? Contact carla@biobuilder.org.