BioTeach Grants

If you are a BioTeach Teacher you are allowed access to special curriculum and career information. To gain authorization visit your Account Profile and check off the BioTeach Teacher box at the bottom of the form .

BioTeach: Building Bio-Science Literacy, One School at a Time

The BioTeach Mission:

BioTeach Goals:

Public high schools can apply and be selected to receive:

Eligibility and Selection Process:

Awards are made to Massachusetts public high schools that plan to introduce and/or strengthen biotechnology curricula in their biology program. Schools are selected on the basis of the thoughtfulness and practicality of their plan, the potential to reach students at all levels, and the plan's sustainability in subsequent years.

BioTeach Awarded Schools 2005-2008

View BioTeach Awarded Schools.

Interested in becoming a BioTeach School? Learn More Now!

Already a BioTeach School and interested in learning more about our Life Sciences Career Development Program?

2008 Program Partners:

School Partners:

State and Federal Partners:

Educational Partners:

Corporate Contributors:

How to Become a BioTeach School - FAQs

Interested in becoming a BioTeach school? First read these frequently asked questions:

What is the main purpose of these awards?

The BioTeach awards provide public high school science teachers with lab equipment, supplies and teacher professional development to incorporate biotechnology into the biology curriculum.

Where does the money come from?

1. Corporate Sponsorships and Grants
MassBioEd also raises significant funds through state and national government grants and corporate sponsorships.

2. An Annual Fundraiser: MBC Golf Classic
Each year the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council hosts an annual “Golf Classic” fundraiser. The charity tournament raises awareness and support for the MassBioEd Foundation.

In 2007, over 370 biotech executives and suppliers participated in the 13th Annual MBC Golf Classic, raising nearly $100,000.

How much equipment and supplies can I request?

Awards are made in the range of $3,000 – $8,800.

Eligibility & Selection Process:

Massachusetts public high schools that plan to introduce biotechnology curricula as a means to teach state standards in their biology program are encouraged to apply. Schools are selected on the basis of the thoughtfulness and practicality of their plan, the potential to reach students at all levels, and the plan's sustainability in subsequent years. Schools in "high needs" areas receive priority attention.

Grant Expectations and Obligations: Term of Grant

To receive the above funding and professional support, MassBioEd requires that each awarded high school demonstrate a commitment to: a) introducing and/or strengthening their biology program through the inclusion of biotech wet labs; and b) helping MassBioEd ensure the success of its BioTeach program. This commitment from your school requires:

  1. The high school will select one person from the science department and/or administrative staff to become the ‘BioTeach Coordinator’ for its school. This person’s responsibilities are to:
    1. Be the key contact for MassBioEd: receive and manage emails, phone calls, and mailings from the BioTeach program manager and her staff.
    2. Attend the BioTeach orientation session
    3. Participate in both the summer workshop and the [click to mobilelab schedule] biotechnology mentorship program
    4. Ensure that all the educators enrolled in the summer workshops also participate in the school-based [click to mobilelab schedule] biotechnology mentorship program
    5. Be responsible for placing supply and consumable orders through the MassBioEd
    6. Provide the BioTeach program manager with annual feedback on how the program is being implemented in the school’s biology classes
  2. The school will send at least two teachers, preferably the same teachers who attended the [link to workshop schedule]summer workshops, to a follow up training session.
  3. The school provides and allows photographs to be taken in biology classrooms where new equipment and supplies are used, and provide appropriate releases for publicity purposes from students’ guardians.
  4. Participants of the BioTeach program permit photographs to be taken at all BioTeach related events.
  5. The participating teachers work with MassBioEd to coordinate a field visit by MassBioEd staff, in order to assess the efficacy and impact of BioTeach.

Grant Expectations and Obligations: Year One

The BioTeach program will provide the High School with the following funding and professional support during year one of the school’s participation in BioTeach:

  1. $7,800 in biotech lab supplies, purchased through MassBioEd’s supplier, VWR.
  2. Up to $1,000 in lab consumables, purchased through MassBioEd’s supplier, VWR and Edvotek.
  3. Three-day professional development workshop to be held during the summer.
    1. At least two biology teachers must attend a summer workshop. Each school can send up to a total of four participants.
    2. MassBioEd will pay a $100 stipend per day, per participant for workshop attendance. Three day attendance is required.
    3. Upon completion of the three day workshop, teachers will receive PDPs. A certificate stating the award of the PDPs will be given to each participant at the end of the workshop’s third day.
  4. Biotechnology Mentorship program through Boston University’s MobileLab, which is part of the CityLab program, click here to see CityLab’s 2007-2008 schedule.

Follow-Up Grant Opportunities and Obligations: Years Two – Seven

BioTeach aims to support the integration of biotechnology into the core high school biology curriculum in a sustainable fashion. To further that goal, BioTeach plans a six-year commitment to the awarded high school that includes:

  1. Biennial follow-up workshops for at least two biology teachers over a period of six years (i.e., one-day workshops in Years Three, Five and Seven).
  2. Support for consumables in year two ($1,000) and in year three ($500) purchased through MassBioEd’s suppliers, VWR and Edvotek.

In order to receive this follow-up financial and professional support awarded high school must demonstrate the following during each subsequent year of participation:

  1. Work with MassBioEd to create a sustainability plan to provide for lab supplies and maintenance. This plan includes an allocation in the school’s regular annual budget. This plan will be noted in the end of the year report, which will be submitted by the high school’s BioTeach coordinator.
  2. Send at least two science teachers (preferably the same teachers who attended the summer workshops) to the biennial one-day follow-up workshop (paid for by BioTeach).
  3. Provide MassBioEd with an annual report, noting how biotechnology is being implemented in the school’s biology curriculum. Each spring, MassBioEd will provide a template for this report.

Voluntary Evaluation Participation:

We are conducting an evaluation of the BioTeach program with TERC and expect that each school’s BioTeach Coordinator as well as teachers who receive training will participate. Participation includes completing surveys: one for department chairs and three for participants.

Please note: monies for the BioTeach Program, which is supported by MassBioEd, are subject to appropriate funding.

Boston University’s Mobile Lab Schedule 2007-2008

View the schedule.

Life Science Career Development Initiative

As part of the BioTeach Grant program, this model supports the development of academic, personal, and employablity skills for students pursuing careers in the life sciences and biotechnology field at the post-secondary level. This competitive grant works to institutionalize a sustainable collaborative leadership model involving guidance, administration and science teachers to work together to create this learning environment.

Life Science Career Development School priorities:

Life Science Career Development Schools’ Expectations:

Eligibility:

Currently, only a select number of BioTeach schools are able to participate in this program. Contact Robert Ross, BioTeach Program Direcor for more information.