Registrations open on Monday, March 2nd, 2026, at 9:00 AM
GTAC®
Professional Learning for High School Life Science Educators
Genetic Technologies for All Classrooms (GTAC) is an intensive professional learning experience offered at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology that prepares science educators to address high school-level genetics, genomics and biotech content. All workshops include a five-day academy at HudsonAlpha and a package of HudsonAlpha-developed kits and materials for their classroom.
Learn more about GTAC professional learning programs:
GTAC: Cells, June 8 – 12, 2026
Join us for a four-day professional learning experience that brings cell biology to life! In GTAC: Cells, educators will explore cell structure, function, and behavior through hands-on investigations, model building, and interactive sessions led by expert scientists. Aligned with the Biology Course of Study, this workshop deepens your understanding of cell-related standards while providing practical strategies to engage students in exploring how cells work and interact. Strengthen your content knowledge, refresh your lab skills, and return to your classroom inspired to help students see the beauty and complexity of life at the cellular level.
Additional details:
- Open to high school life science teachers who teach Biology, IB Biology and AP Biology.
- Includes dorm-style housing (if needed, please select that ticket type during registration). Housing will be at the University of Alabama Huntsville in suite-style dorms, with individual rooms, and shared bathroom, kitchen and living space.
- Educators who complete the training will receive over $600 in classroom materials.
- Participants will be provided with 32 hours of PowerSchool PD credit, or requested certificate, upon completion of the program.
- Out-of-State and private school tuition cost also includes onsite breakfasts and lunches each day.
GTAC: Unity and Diversity, June 22 – 25, 2026
Advances in genomic research have opened new lines of investigation and enhanced our understanding of evolution. Interestingly, much of that is happening right here in Alabama. Yet many teachers feel ill-equipped to address Alabama Biology Standards 14, 15, and 16. GTAC: Unity and Diversity is designed to help educators understand the connection between genomic research and evolutionary biology, leverage available digital and hands-on resources, and use modern computational tools to analyze relevant data. Hear from researchers, engage in high-tech labs to enhance your understanding and return to the classroom with the tools needed to share information with your students.
Additional details:
- Open to high school life science teachers who teach Biology, IB Biology and AP Biology.
- Includes dorm-style housing (if needed, please select that ticket type during registration). Housing will be at the University of Alabama Huntsville in suite-style dorms, with individual rooms, and shared bathroom, kitchen and living space.
- Educators who complete the training will receive over $350 in classroom materials.
- Participants will be provided with 32 hours of PowerSchool PD credit, or requested certificate, upon completion of the program.
- Out-of-State and private school tuition cost also includes onsite breakfasts and lunches each day.
GTAC: Essential Biology, July 6 – 10, 2026 – Dothan only
GTAC: Essential Biology is a five-day professional learning workshop that focuses on the genetics content encountered in a General Biology course. All activities will support the 2023 Alabama Course of Study: Science, Biology Standards. Eligible educators will spend five full days, digging deeply into modern genetic content through hands-on laboratory practice and content-deepening talks by leading scientists.
Additional details:
- Located in the Wiregrass Innovation Center
- Open to high school life science teachers, with special emphasis on teachers with one or more sections of Biology
- Lodging is provided for participants who live more than 40 miles from the workshop location.
- Educators who complete the training will receive classroom kits, materials and resources valued at over $900.
- Provided with 40 hours of PowerSchool PD credit or requested certificate upon conclusion of the program.
- Catered lunch is provided each day.
GTAC: Health Harmony, July 13 – 16, 2026
Advances in genomic research have provided valuable insights into human health. Health Harmony is designed to help educators understand the connection between genomic research and its impact on health. Hear from researchers, engage in hands-on activities that will bring meaning to complex concepts, and return to the classroom with the tools needed to facilitate meaningful experiences with your students. Join us for this 4-day intensive professional learning experience.
Additional details:
- Priority will be given to high school life science educators who teach courses in Biomedical Science and Human Health Systems.
- Includes dorm-style housing (if needed, please select that ticket type during registration). Housing will be at the University of Alabama Huntsville in suite-style dorms, with individual rooms, and shared bathroom, kitchen and living space.
- Educators who complete the training will receive over $600 in classroom materials.
- Participants will be provided with 32 hours of PowerSchool PD credit or certificate upon completion of the program.
- Out-of-state and private school tuition costs include on-site breakfasts and lunches each day.
GTAC: Ecosystem Genetics
Focusing on the intersection of Ecology and Genomics content, this new, four-day workshop will address content found in Biology, AP Biology and Environmental Science classes. How does DNA analysis help us understand ecosystem dynamics? How does modern genomic research interact with the agriculture practices that feed our world? There is no prerequisite for GTAC: Ecosystem Genetics.
Additional details:
GTAC: Ecosystem Genetics will not be offered in summer 2026.
GTAC: Advanced Concepts
GTAC: Advanced Concepts is an intensive professional learning workshop that helps life science teachers delve more deeply into genetics content they can use in advanced life science classrooms, like AP or IB Biology. Over the course of five days at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, educators will learn from scientists involved in cutting-edge genomic research, use modern biotech equipment and laboratories, and develop classroom plans with implementation support. GTAC: Essential Biology is not a prerequisite for GTAC: Advanced Concepts.
Additional details:
GTAC: Advanced Concepts will not be offered in the summer of 2026