or by Check
Make your check payable to “The BioBuilder Educational Foundation” and mail to:
Natalie Kuldell, President
The BioBuilder Educational Foundation
78 Dalton Road
Newton, MA 02459
BioBuilderClub engages high school teams around the world who use synthetic biology to develop novel biotechnologies. We support teams through monthly online group meetings and newsletters, STEM mentors, and a nationally recognized platform in March to exhibit projects at any stage of completion, from pitch to prototype.
All new U.S. teams receive the BioBuilder textbook, a laboratory kit, and support during the academic year from remote scientist mentors.
Here’s one month-by-month example for the BioBuilderClub activities (as well as for BioBuilder in Intro and AP Bio).
Our rallying cry is “all you need is a good idea and we’ll teach you the engineering to bring it to life.” BioBuilderClub increases student access to authentic tools and approaches for engineering biology. Within biodesign teams, budding scientists develop meaningful projects that address real-world challenges. Students may explore ideas in partnership with practicing mentor scientists and engineers in academia, government, and industry.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about BioBuilderClub here. If you can’t find the answers here please feel free to contact us (info@biobuilder.org).
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. Virtual and in-person attendance, along with electronic posterboards provide 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.
We welcome large or small teams (3 to 20+ members) comprised of high school students and one or two high school teachers as team leaders.
Early bird registration for those who register by September 30
First-year participants: $250 – includes mailed BioBuilder e-book and kit
Second-year participants: $200 – includes BioBuilder e-book and kit refill
Third-year+ participants: $150 – includes BioBuilder e-book and kit refill.
$50 registration fee if no kit refill is requested.
Registration fees as of October 1:
$300 for all teams.
Late Registration fees after October Kick-off event:
$400 for all teams
Cancellation Policy: Registration may be cancelled up to thirty (30) business days prior to the Kick-off date. 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 less than thirty (30) business days prior to the Kick-off date.
The BioBuilderClub welcomes all teams, regardless of access to molecular biology laboratory facilities.
For teams wanting to DESIGN a biotechnology, you will need:
For teams wanting to DESIGN and BUILD a biotechnology, you will need:
All the above plus…
For teams wanting to DESIGN and BUILD and TEST a biotechnology, you will need:
All the above plus…
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.
From Kickoff to Final Assembly, teams are supported with in-person and online expertise to guide their work. For teams who want to build their project ideas, New England BioLabs provides some free reagents. Beyond those materials and the BioBuilder kit sent to new participants, each team is responsible for supplying lab materials should they want to build their project idea.
The password-protected page is linked here:
If you need help with the password, please contact us (info@biobuilder.org).
Please contact us (info@biobuilder.org) to sign up as a BioBuilderClub mentor.
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.
Mentors primarily serve as a resource for teams, particularly as they work toward their project to be exhibited at the Final Assembly in March. Most mentoring occurs virtually, due to the diverse geographic locations in which both teams and mentors are located. Mentors are matched with teams in mid-November.
You can sign up as a BioBuilderClub mentor here.
Or contact us at info@biobuilder.org with any questions.