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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: