School Programs

The institute’s educational outreach programs will engage secondary students in dynamic biotechnology activities and study to encourage an interest in pursuing biotechnology as a career. Educators have a profound impact on creating future generations of informed citizens; therefore professional development programs for these critical audiences are an integral part of outreach activities.

Through innovative instruction the institute will enrich lives, increase academic performance in the classroom and inspire students to seek biotechnology careers.

High School Performance Accelerator
“The High School Performance Accelerator will begin with on-site training in molecular biology for high school students and educators. In its first two years, the newly-built Columbia High School will serve as the test bed for the Accelerator curriculum. Experienced scientists in an immersive laboratory environment will introduce students to molecular biology techniques, including PCR, DNA isolation, sequence analysis and protein extraction.

High School Science Renewal Sessions
For success across Alabama, the High School Performance Accelerator will depend on teachers who understand biotechnology. Consequently, the institute will create and assemble training and teaching materials to facilitate implementation of biotechnology science and bioethics activities in high school curriculum. Institute science educators will lead interactive training sessions to provide high school teachers and administrators an understanding of the basic skills used in biotechnology. These sessions will be recorded and used to develop online courses available to all teachers.

Biotechnology Summer Camps for Secondary Science Students
Students who participate in the HudsonAlpha Biotechnology Summer Camps will utilize the latest laboratory technologies as they explore real world problems. Institute affiliate companies will uniquely provide guest instructors, equipment and supplies. The extended experience will enable study and review of emerging fields such as RNAi (the down regulation of gene expression) and gene delivery (the transfer of engineered genetic constructs into cultured cells). The intensive Biotechnology Summer Camps will feature cutting edge science and will be held in the institute’s research laboratories. Attendance will be limited and attendees will be chosen from the very best students nominated by their biology instructors.

Distance Learning Program
The institute’s distance learning program will take advantage of the infrastructure provided at the institute and affiliate biotechnology companies. With the ability to connect with schools across the state through the internet, and in some cases audio and video conferencing, the institute’s recorded lectures and course materials will be available to students at anytime. Seminars from guest lecturers and notable scientists from around the world will be an integral part of the program. Real-time distance education offerings will be offered as the technology becomes available.