Get to know BioBuilder
Find answers to frequently asked questions about BioBuilder here. If you can’t find the answers here please feel free to contact us.
What is BioBuilder?
An innovative, STEM education nonprofit created by an award-winning team at MIT, BioBuilder offers a wide range of open source, free curricula to provide hands-on experiences that foster exploration, innovation, and interest in the emerging area of synthetic biology.
For students, learning is taken to a new level through hands-on classroom projects, afterschool clubs, and summer internships that delve into problem-solving work in the areas of biology, health, medicine, and the environment.
For science educators, emerging technologies are explored in professional development workshops that empower the delivery of timely, research-driven lessons in biological engineering and synthetic biology.
All of the BioBuilder offerings —from a downloadable textbook to lab kits to professional development — serve to enhance existing science curricula while promoting practical problem solving at the classroom level.
What is synthetic biology?
Synthetic biology is an emerging area of STEM that combines biology and engineering in order to build useful living systems in a reliable way. By combining scientific exploration and a disciplined engineering approach, new systems can be built to make better medicines, a cleaner environment, sustainable energy, and more.
Does synthetic biology matter?
Of course it depends whom you ask. We think so.
Colleges and Universities think so. Many are starting classes and majors in this field.
Investors think so. There was more than a billion dollars invested in synthetic biology startups last year.
And in a 2018 interview at SxSW, Melinda Gates commented: “Bill and I often have a fun debate about…If you were entering any field now and you had your choice, what field would you go in? He and I both would go into the intersection of biology and computer science. When it comes to that field, we are only at the beginning.”
How do I get involved?
Visit our contact us page and let us know whether you are a student, teacher, or a possible BioBuilder supporter. There you will find a drop-down menu that lists our offerings; a member of the BioBuilder team will be in touch with you within 24-48 hours.
We’ve also summarized some possible next steps, here
How did BioBuilder get started?
Created at MIT in partnership with an award-winning team of local high school teachers — and then organized as a 501(c)3 in 2011 — BioBuilder was founded with National Science Foundation support. BioBuilder remains the only nationally recognized curriculum in synthetic biology, a new discipline that is predicted to revolutionize the way we make everything around us.
Who is behind BioBuilder?
Our Board of Directors is made of a diverse group of professionals who remember that learning new things can inspire both hard work and excitement. A full list of staff, directors, and advisory board members can be found here
Do I need specialized equipment to participate?
It depends. There are activities for both the classroom and for laboratories. Each lesson plan identifies what you may need, and we have kits available for purchase to support some of the activities described on our website.
Where can this content fit into existing high school curriculum?
Here’s one month-by-month example for intro bio, AP bio and the BioBuilderClub activities.
What are the benefits of joining the BioBuilderClub?
BioBuilderClub offers current biological engineering challenges so that students may experience scientific problem-solving in the context of authentic and meaningful investigations.
Students feel like real scientists and may envision themselves as innovators who will change the world. STEM mentors serve as an important resource for teams, and provide a real-world glimpse into the possibilities of STEM research and careers.
BioBuilderClub also empowers teachers to be agents of educational reform by reconnecting them with their love of teaching and their own love of learning.
Teams work toward projects to be shared with the BioBuilderClub community at the annual “Final Assembly” event in March. This event provides an opportunity for wide exposure and positive feedback from student peers and scientists. Some teams choose to work toward publication in a synthetic biology journal for high school students.
What can participating teams expect?
BioBuilderClub engages high school teams around the world who want to use synthetic biology to develop novel biotechnologies. New U.S. teams receive a copy of the BioBuilder textbook. All teams are provided with laboratory kits and reagents, and have access to the our SLACK community to collaborate, ask questions, and find engaging content such as podcasts, articles, and interviews.
Students explore their ideas in partnership with practicing mentor scientists and engineers in academia, government, and industry. Mentors meet remotely with teams for up to 10 hours, answering student questions, refining project ideas, and offering their expert guidance.
The BioBuilderClub season concludes with an international “Final Assembly” conference in March to exhibit projects at any stage of completion, from pitch to prototype.
Are there any dates I should keep in mind?
YES!
- October – Season Opening (10/2/2023)
- February – Registration closes (2/8/24)
- March – Final Assembly (3/14/24)
Who’s on a team?
Each team should have 10 or fewer students and a high school teacher or parent as the team leader(s).
If more than 10 students are interested, we welcome participation of multiple teams from the same school. These teams can all be registered by the same team leader(s).
What does it cost to participate?
$400 per team
Title I schools where 40% or more of the student body is eligible for free or reduced lunch may participate at no cost. Use code BBC2023 when prompted during registration.
Teachers from STEM.LD schools should use code STEM.LD when prompted during registration.
Cancellation Policy: Registration may be cancelled up until 10/02/2023. In such cases, a refund of registration fees will be issued, less any incurred payment processing fees. We are unable to refund registration fees for cancellations received after 10/02/2023.
What will I need to get started?
The BioBuilderClub welcomes all teams, regardless of access to molecular biology laboratory facilities.
For teams wanting to DESIGN a biotechnology, you will need:
- A teacher to lead the club.
- At least one student to participate.
- A good idea.
- Some understanding of DNA as the coding language for cells.
- Access to a computer and the internet.
For teams wanting to DESIGN and BUILD a biotechnology, you will need:
All the above plus…
- Some basic biology laboratory equipment such as glassware, pipettes, a water bath or heat block to heat samples, an ice bucket or styrofoam cup to cool samples, 4C fridge and ice-cold freezer (ideally to -20C) to store samples, a stir plate to mix samples, and an incubator to grow samples (though room temperature can work too). Some experiments might need a chemical hood, depending on what you are building.
- Some basic consumable laboratory equipment such as pipet tips, plastic tubes, growth media, petri dishes, toothpicks, spreaders, sterile loops, bleach or the like for decontamination and disposal of bioreagents.
For teams wanting to DESIGN and BUILD and TEST a biotechnology, you will need:
All the above plus…
- Some additional basic biology laboratory equipment such as electrophoresis chambers, spectrophotometer, and PCR machine.
- Some additional consumable laboratory equipment such as gel running buffers, loading buffers, stains to visualize DNA or proteins, cuvettes, PCR master mix, autoclave for sterilizing reagents.
Regardless of a team’s goals, all participants will need to submit a media/photo release and liability consent form. A team photo is requested and all students will be asked to complete a pre- and post- survey form.
How are teams supported?
From their first days as a team to the Final Assembly, teams are supported with remote expertise to guide their work.
Teams will be given access to the BioBuilderClub Slack channel, where they can collaborate with their team, connect with mentors, ask questions of the global community, and find engaging content, such as podcasts, articles, and interviews.
For teams who are ready to move from the design to the build phase of their project ideas, New England BioLabs provides certain reagents at no cost. Carolina provides a $100 credit on general lab supplies. And once a month, there is a drawing for a cold storage unit that is provided by K2 Scientific.
Teams will be paired with an industry mentor, who will provide remote guidance and feedback specific to the project the team is working on.
I have a team! Where do I find the Team Resources page?
We have a BioBuilderClub Slack channel for you! Find it here.
If you need help accessing the Slack channel, please reach out (info@biobuilder.org).
Is there a place I can find past projects?
Now there is! Check out the Project Library that’s here:
http://biobuilderclub-library.org/
Many of our teams go on to publish in Biotreks, a peer-reviewed journal for high school synthetic biologists. Read up on their work here:
I'm a working scientist or engineer. How do I get involved as a volunteer mentor?
Please complete this form to sign up as a BioBuilderClub Mentor. If you have additional questions, you may contact us (info@biobuilder.org) with the subject line “BioBuilderClub Mentor Inquiry.”
Mentors include grad students, post docs, and scientists in the field. Mentors primarily serve as a resource for teams, particularly as they work toward their project to be exhibited at the Final Assembly in March.
The minimum time contribution expected of mentors is approximately 1 hour per month (October – December), and 2 hours per month (January – March), which may include team calls and email correspondence.
All mentoring occurs virtually, due to the diverse geographic locations in which both teams and mentors are located. Mentors are matched with teams in late fall.
You can sign up as a BioBuilderClub mentor here.
Or contact us at info@biobuilder.org with any questions.
When do you accept applications for the Apprenticeship Challenge?
Applications for the Spring cohort open in January and are reviewed on a rolling basis until March 1st. Applications for the Fall cohort will open in summer 2024.
How do I know if I’m eligible to apply?
Applications are accepted from students who:
- Attend an under-resourced high school in the metro Boston area or who self-identify as economically disadvantaged
- Can be nominated by a teacher or academic adviser
- Are 18 years old as of June 1st following the Apprenticeship AND who want to work in a biotechnology company in the summer
- Or are 16 years old as of June 1st following the Apprenticeship AND who want to work in an academic lab setting or a non-lab setting in a biotechnology company.
- Are committed to pursuing a summer internship in the life sciences. Students who will be extensively engaged in other summer opportunities (travel, volunteering etc) should not apply.
How does the nomination and selection process work?
Students interested in participating must apply here and identify a teacher who can serve as a reference to support the student application. The BioBuilder Educational Foundation will review applications. Students must be from underrepresented backgrounds, identify as economically disadvantaged, or go to school in under-served communities. Participants are accepted on a rolling basis and all will be notified no later than March 15. We regret that we cannot respond to all student inquiries.
Are students paid for the Apprenticeship Challenge?
There is a small stipend ($200) for students who successfully complete BioBuilder’s Apprenticeship Challenge held March through May. All students are then encouraged to test for micro-credentials, and/or pursue one of the paid summer internships that the Apprenticeship Challenge may help arrange. Results on the BCSI exams, and summer placement opportunities and compensation amounts will vary.
I love your program. How can I help BioBuilder offer it?
We are grateful for funding from individual donors and charitable foundations. Without this support, we would not be able to run the Apprenticeship.
We also rely on significant in-kind support from companies and individuals who provide materials and who volunteer their expertise to the program.
Finally, the hiring companies and academic labs are vital partners in this Apprenticeship Challenge. Together we help change the career trajectory of our wonderful students.
Contact us if you can help in any of these ways: info@biobuilder.org
Do you have information about student outcomes from this program?
We sure do! Download our 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023 Outcome Reports!
And please watch our 2023 highlights video linked here.
What are the benefits of joining the Idea Accelerator?
The Idea Accelerator offers current biological engineering challenges so that students may experience scientific problem-solving in the context of authentic and meaningful investigations.
Students feel like real scientists and may envision themselves as innovators who will change the world. STEM mentors serve as an important resource for teams, and provide a real-world glimpse into the possibilities of STEM research and careers.
The Idea Accelerator also empowers teachers to be agents of educational reform by reconnecting them with their love of teaching and their own love of learning.
Teams work toward projects to be shared with other students in our online showcase.
What can participating classes expect?
Students can expect to engage with materials such as recorded lectures, live Office Hours, interactive discussion boards, and a variety of resources that will be made available each week. We anticipate that students will spend at least 3 hours/week working directly with us and at least as much time working outside of class. In other words, students are likely to spend approximately 6 hours per week on the Idea Accelerator viewing the seminars, completing the assignments and readings, attending the live Zoom Office Hours, contributing to the discussion boards, and collaborating with their project team.
During live Office Hours, which are held on Zoom, students will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback and guidance on their projects. Office Hours are also used as an opportunity to build community among the students, and they are encouraged to participate with their cameras on.
Student groups will have the opportunity to present their project on the last day of the Idea Accelerator during the Project Showcase. They will receive feedback from instructors and peers, and learn about the other exciting projects their peers have been working on.
What start dates are available?
Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, the Idea Accelerator is an “on demand” program. Reach out to us through info@biobuilder.org and we’ll open our teaching platform for your school group.
What does it cost to participate?
Small Group (3 – 10 students) = $250.00
Classroom (11 – 25 students) = $500.00
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 Title I schools where 40% or more of the student body is eligible for free or reduced lunch (as reported on https://www.publicschoolreview.com/).**
What will I need to get started?
The Idea Accelerator welcomes all teams, regardless of access to molecular biology laboratory facilities. The program is optimized for online, in-person, or hybrid school formats. Students will need to complete a registration process, including agreeing to abide by the BioBuilder Online Code of Conduct and following onboarding procedures to access Canvas, the educational platform that houses our Idea Accelerator content.
How are students supported?
Students are encouraged to take advantage of Office Hours and the online discussion boards to ask questions and get feedback on their ideas as they work on their group projects. Office Hours in particular are a great way for students to ask questions and hear directly from industry experts as well as students and academics in the field.
Is this suitable for a general biology class?
Yes! The Idea Accelerator is a great introduction to biodesign, appropriate for all high school students. This program is also suitable for advanced/honors biology classes.
It is helpful for students to have a basic understanding that DNA is the coding language for a cell. We take an engineering lens to look at life science, and so students learn about the cells and systems that they need to learn about as they try to design a biotechnology to solve a real world challenge.
Is there a place I can find past projects?
Yes! Here are some examples of past Idea Accelerator projects.
I'm a working scientist or engineer. How do I get involved as a volunteer?
We are looking for industry professionals, students, and academics to visit during Office Hours and speak with students! If you are interested in volunteering, please complete this form.
If you have any questions, please send an email to info@biobuilder.org with the subject line “Idea Accelerator Volunteer Inquiry.”
I don't see my question here. What should I do?
You should definitely check out our more extensive FAQ document that’s linked here
And if you’ve still got questions, please reach out to us by email to info@biobuilder.org
What is special about the Learning Labs?
The Learning Labs bring science education into a place where science is happening. We run programming for students during the school day, after-school, on weekends and during school vacations. We run programs for teachers professional development and specialty seminars and workshops for STEM professionals.
What programs do you offer?
Our programming in the Learning Labs is built on BioBuilder’s open source curriculum. We offer workshops for home schooled students, teacher professional development, site visits for our BioBuilderClub, and an eight-week Apprenticeship Challenge for high school students from underserved communities.
We are also continuing and extending partnerships and site-specific work with the local community. If you’re interested in a custom program, please reach out.
Finally, we are always working on new programs since synthetic biology is an emerging field and developing innovative offerings is part of our mission.
Who sponsors the Learning Lab in LabCentral?
The LabCentral location is powered by New England Biolabs and was developed out of recognition that tomorrow’s innovation relies on exposing the next generation to why science matters today. LabCentral is Greater Boston’s premier co-working laboratory and serves as a launchpad for high-potential life-sciences startups. They opened the community-oriented STEM facility in the fall of 2017 as part of a major expansion of their Kendall Square location. It is thanks to the early vision of BioBuilder and the significant support of the lab’s primary sponsor, New England Biolabs® (NEB®), that this vision has come to life.
Who sponsors the Learning Lab at Ginkgo Bioworks?
The Ginkgo location is made possible by a generous grant from Ginkgo Bioworks, who recognized that it is a natural progression from the BioBuilder education platform to the Ginkgo technology platform, and BioBuilder students are ahead of the game.
Read about their long-standing work together
With additional support from the MA Life Science Center, Carolina Biological Supply Company and the Richmond Group, they opened the community-oriented STEM facility in the summer of 2021. It is thanks to the common vision of BioBuilder and its supporters, as well as Ginkgo’s significant financial support, that this vision for a Learning Lab in Boston’s Innovation District has come to life.
How large is your space?
The Learning Lab @LabCentral has more than 1,000-square-feet of state-of-the-art classroom and laboratory space suitable for carrying out project-based design work as well as biosafety level-1 experiments.
The Learning Lab @Ginkgo serves as BioBuilder’s global headquarters and has more than 3,100-square feet. It was renovated in 2021 to meet the needs of BioBuilder’s expanding team and programming. The space was built with biomanufacturing and workforce training in mind.
Who can participate?
The bulk of our programming is suitable for high school and college students and their teachers. We also offer additional programming that meets the needs of middle school students as well as feeds the curiosity of our local community residents and biotech professional education.
Teachers, home schooled groups, international visitors, and community members are invited to contact us to discuss customized programming.
How much does it cost to use the Learning Lab?
The cost varies depending on the activities you would like to do in the lab, the length of time spent there, and the number of participants. Please contact us to discuss your project and request a quote.
Can you develop a specialized program for my group?
Yes, you can contact our team to discuss possible programming for team, students and/or educators.
Do classes held in the Learning Lab qualify for academic credit?
No, our work is enrichment, not credit bearing.
What should I wear in the lab?
Closed-toe shoes and pants; longer hair should be pulled back. Protective equipment will be provided, but it is best to wear clothing that can withstand spills that may occur.
What is so special about the Learning Labs?
The Learning Labs bring science education into a place where science is happening. We run programming for students during the school day, after-school, on weekends and during school vacations. We run programs for teachers professional development and specialty seminars and workshops for STEM professionals.
What programs do you offer?
Our programming in the Learning Labs is built on BioBuilder’s open source curriculum. We offer workshops for home schooled students, teacher professional development, site visits for our BioBuilderClub, and an eight-week Apprenticeship Challenge for high school students from underserved communities.
We are also continuing and extending partnerships and site-specific work with the local community. If you’re interested in a custom program, please reach out.
Finally, we are always working on new programs since synthetic biology is an emerging field and developing innovative offerings is part of our mission.
Who sponsors the Learning Lab at LabCentral?
The LabCentral location is powered by New England Biolabs and was developed out of recognition that tomorrow’s innovation relies on exposing the next generation to why science matters today. LabCentral is Greater Boston’s premier co-working laboratory and serves as a launchpad for high-potential life-sciences startups. They opened the community-oriented STEM facility in the fall of 2017 as part of a major expansion of their Kendall Square location. It is thanks to the early vision of BioBuilder and the significant support of the lab’s primary sponsor, New England Biolabs® (NEB®), that this vision has come to life.
Who sponsors the Learning Lab at Ginkgo Bioworks?
The Ginkgo location is made possible by a generous grant from Ginkgo Bioworks, who recognized that it is a natural progression from the BioBuilder education platform to the Ginkgo technology platform, and BioBuilder students are ahead of the game.
Read about their long-standing work together
With additional support from the MA Life Science Center, Carolina Biological Supply Company and the Richmond Group, they opened the community-oriented STEM facility in the summer of 2021. It is thanks to the common vision of BioBuilder and its supporters, as well as Ginkgo’s significant financial support, that this vision for a Learning Lab in Boston’s Innovation District has come to life.
How large is your space?
The Learning Lab @LabCentral has more than 1,000-square-feet of state-of-the-art classroom and laboratory space suitable for carrying out project-based design work as well as biosafety level-1 experiments.
The Learning Lab @Ginkgo serves as BioBuilder’s global headquarters and has more than 3,100-square feet. It was renovated in 2021 to meet the needs of BioBuilder’s expanding team and programming. The space was built with biomanufacturing and workforce training in mind.
Who can participate?
The bulk of our programming is suitable for high school and college students and their teachers. We also offer additional programming that meets the needs of middle school students as well as feeds the curiosity of our local community residents and biotech professional education.
Teachers, home schooled groups, international visitors, and community members are invited to contact us to discuss customized programming.
How much does it cost to use the Learning Lab?
The cost varies depending on the activities you would like to do in the lab, the length of time spent there, and the number of participants. Please contact us to discuss your project and request a quote.
Can you develop a specialized program for my group?
Yes, you can contact our team to discuss possible programming for team, students and/or educators.
Do classes held in the Learning Lab qualify for academic credit?
No, our work is enrichment, not credit bearing.
What should I wear in the lab?
Closed-toe shoes and pants; longer hair should be pulled back. Protective equipment will be provided, but it is best to wear clothing that can withstand spills that may occur.
Are the workshops geared toward high school, middle school teachers, elementary, or university level teachers?
The workshops are designed primarily for high school teachers, but all educators are welcome. In the past, we have also had participants from educational organizations, government, and nonprofits doing work related to STEM education.
How many people may participate in each workshop?
Our hybrid workshops can accommodate up to 50 participants per two-week session.
How much does it cost to attend?
$250 per teacher for Part 1, which includes all online platform materials with on-demand life-time access to the course content, a copy of the BioBuilder textbook, and one lab kit that will be sent to the teacher’s school during the workshop.
When 2 or more teachers sign up from one school the cost is $200 per teacher, with full access for each teacher to the course content, a book for each teacher, and one lab kit sent to the school during the workshop.
The cost for Part 2 is $150 per teacher or $250 when 2 or more teachers from the same school register.
What does the registration fee include?
- 5 hours of self-paced lectures, readings and assignments to complete over a 2 week period
- Slide decks to download for teaching and learning;
- A social engagement platform to interact with other teachers and BioBuilder’s instructors
- A copy of BioBuilder’s textbook;
- A Lab Kit sent to participant’s school;
- Two half-days of synchronous lab training to prep and run each lab, available as a recording if needed
- Certificate of Completion;
- Discounted tuition in BioBuilder’s follow-up Essentials Training Sessions.
How do I register?
We have a rolling admissions process. Workshops are limited to 50 teachers and attendance is reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission requires payment of tuition as the time of registration.
Part 1: Eau That Smell, June 14-27, 2023: Register Here
Part 1: Eau That Smell, July 5-18, 2023: Register Here
Part 2: What a Colorful World, July 26 – August 8, 2023: Register Here
Do you have scholarships available?
We do not have scholarships available at this time.
What is the payment process?
To complete registration, participants must pay the tuition fee by credit card. If you require a purchase order payment, please reach out to us at info@biobuilder.org.
Is there a cancellation policy?
Registration may be cancelled up to 15 days prior to the selected workshop’s start date. In such cases, a refund of the registration fee will be issued, less applicable processing fees.
We are unable to refund registration fees for cancellations received less than 15 days prior to your selected workshop.
Who will teach the workshop?
BioBuilder Essentials lectures are led by Dr. Natalie Kuldell and Dr. Rebekah Ravgiala and Ms. Jo-Anne Purdy.
Dr. Natalie Kuldell is the Founder and Executive Director of BioBuilder. Natalie has taught for more than a dozen years in the Department of Biological Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is a highly regarded educator who develops discovery-based curricula drawn from the current literature to engage students in structured, reasonably authentic laboratory and project-based experiences. She studied Chemistry as an undergraduate at Cornell, completed her doctoral and postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School, and taught at Wellesley College before joining the faculty at MIT in 2003.
Dr. Rebekah Ravgiala teaches Biology and Advanced Placement Biology at Tyngsborough High School in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts. She holds a B.A. in Biology and a doctorate in Mathematics and Science Education. She has been actively involved in the BioBuilder community since 2011, leading a BioBuilderClub team, and serving as a member of its Board of Directors. She is a recipient of the ASBMB Fostering K12/University Partnership Grant and the AMGEN Excellence in Science Teaching Award.
Jo-Anne Purdy has been teaching Biology, Chemistry, and Advanced Placement Biology for the past 25 years and currently teaches at Westborough High School in Westborough, Massachusetts. She has been working with the BioBuilder community since 2011, leading a BioBuilder team and running workshops teaching teachers about the BioBuilder curriculum. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in biological sciences and is a recipient of the Brenda M. Keegan award for Excellence in Teaching.
How much time would teachers be expected to spend per week?
We anticipate that participants will spend 5 hours/week completing the online coursework and synchronous lab work.
Do you offer Continuing Education Credit or Professional Development Points
BioBuilder is a registered PDP provider in Massachusetts.
If you are a teacher in a different state, please inquire with us about ways to receive state credit for your workshop.
Is there an online code of conduct?
Yes. We require that all participants agree to our community Code of Conduct. Review the Online Code of Conduct here: https://bit.ly/BB-Code-of-Conduct.
My question isn’t here! What should I do?
Please email your question to info@biobuilder.org and we’ll get back to you.