Visit the Learning Lab @LabCentral

This Learning Lab welcomes students, teachers and community members into LabCentral’s entrepreneurial environment. The fully equipped teaching space provides local innovators a welcoming environment for hands-on engagement with BioBuilder’s programming.

The Learning Lab is for me a unique experience for students to have a first-hand experience in exploring the beauty of building biology….An experience like this has helped me to shape my vocation at high school, and I hope this would help (other) students to find their passion, as well


Learning Lab Volunteer, MIT Post-doctoral Fellow

Learning Lab Workshops

Find ongoing BioBuilder programming workshops where middle and high school teachers and students convene for hands-on science. As space is limited at each workshop, attendance is reserved on a first-come, first-served basis through payment of the deposit.

Getting here

The Learning Lab @LabCentral, powered by New England Biolabs

Address:
700 Main Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
United States

Questions? Email us at info@biobuilder.org

Latest Lab Activity

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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your questions about BioBuilder’s Learning Lab Workshops. Please feel free to contact us if you have other questions.

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.