Carolina Biological to distribute institute-developed science activities

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. and BURLINGTON, N.C. — “Educational outreach at HudsonAlpha aims to deliver creative, hands-on educational experiences that raise student comprehension and build teacher confidence,” said Neil Lamb, Ph.D., director of educational outreach at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. The value of educational kits designed by Lamb and his staff at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology has been acknowledged by an executed agreement with Carolina Biological Supply Company.  According to Lamb, Carolina will promote and broadly distribute institute-branded, hands-on experiments and resources.

“We are excited about partnering with the Educational Outreach group at HudsonAlpha. The quality of the content, activities and materials that this dynamic and knowledgeable group produce is very much inline with Carolina’s commitment to provide educators the finest products and services to help all students understand science,” said Mark Meszaros, Ph.D., vice president of product management and innovation at Carolina.

“Confident, knowledgeable teachers are best equipped to generate excitement in the classroom,” said Lamb. “We’re enhancing teachers’ knowledge and confidence to better prepare them to help students imagine what a career in biotechnology looks like and to make science study more relevant.”

The partnership between HudsonAlpha and Carolina will be introduced at the National Science Teachers Association’s 2013 National Conference in San Antonio, Tex., April 11-14. The rollout includes hands-on activities in Carolina’s exhibit booth and workshops conducted by HudsonAlpha.

Lamb began working with educators in Alabama more than six years ago. “Using common elements of nationwide standards we have a platform to creatively launch hands-on resources that teachers use to engage students in science,” said Lamb.  Resources have been made available to Alabama educators through the statewide Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative.

According to Lamb, achieving a standard of understanding and capability among students is integral to building a stronger research program in the U.S.

“Providing content-rich science resources and activities that engage students in constructing solid understandings of science topics is an important component of the development of  21st century skills according to the National Research Council,” commented Meszaros. “This partnership will aid in achieving that goal by supplying additional resources to educators nationwide.”

“Wider distribution of education kits also means wider recognition of the institute in general,” added Lamb. “Our research programs drive everything we do at HudsonAlpha and we’re pleased to showcase efforts through this partnership.”