Futurelab+
Questions? Contact Emily, edilger@igniteducation.org
Application opening soon!
Futurelab+ is an ambitious, Genentech-sponsored initiative to get U.S. high school students excited about biotechnology and help build a more diverse and inclusive future workforce in science and medicine. Ignited is proud to collaborate with American Institutes for Research (AIR), BABEC (Bay Area Bioscience Education Community), Discovery Education and Jobs for the Future (JFF) on Futurelab+.
Futurelab+ is comprised of three core elements: 1) a free, industry-aligned, open-source high school biotechnology curriculum available at Futurelabplus.com; 2) a Professional Learning Community that offers professional development, lab supplies, and a network of teachers teaching biotech; and 3) access to volunteer biotech professionals on the Futurelab+ Network.
FAQ short links – scroll down for answers to all questions
What type of teachers are you looking for?
Biotech teachers and bio teachers who would like to bring some biotech into their bio classes.
Teachers at high schools within about 50 miles of Burlingame, CA, if they are seeking biotech equipment rental.
What is different about this curriculum?
This curriculum shifts the focus from traditional biotech courses that develop students’ lab bench skills to deepening their understanding of the product development lifecycle and non-STEM careers in the biotech industry. For more information, visit FuturelabPlus.com
- Product development lifecycle: We make a point to highlight the creation of a biomedical drug from molecule to medicine.
- Non-STEM biotech careers: We include “hidden careers” to showcase some of the ~80% of non-bench science jobs within the biotech industry. Careers include a variety of educational and training pathways (career ready, community college, 4-year)
- This curriculum is project-based and focused on skill development through engaging experiences that enable students to dive deeply into the content.
- Participate in the Summer Institute, July 25-29, 2022.
- The Summer Institute will likely be a mix of virtual and in-person experiences, though this will depend on current COVID restrictions. We expect ~30 hours of total time.
- In-person aspects will be held at the California Academy of Sciences
- We expect the virtual experience to be roughly 3.5 hours/day synchronous (likely mornings), and roughly 2 hours/day asynchronous (likely afternoons).
- If interested, read some Design Principles for Online PD from Cal Academy
- The Summer Institute will likely be a mix of virtual and in-person experiences, though this will depend on current COVID restrictions. We expect ~30 hours of total time.
- Create a plan to integrate Futurelab+ Curriculum into your classroom in the 2022/23 school year.
- We know that not everyone will be able to pick the curriculum up exactly as written. During the Summer Institute, we will spend time considering how to include the curriculum in different contexts, and each person will walk away with a plan to incorporate components of the curriculum into the 2022/23 school year that feels right to them and their classroom.
- Opt-in to participate in ongoing community gatherings and lab trainings during the 2022/23 school year.
- We expect these to be a mix of in-person and virtual experiences. Some will be required, some will be optional. More information will come during the Summer Institute, when you can opt-in.
- Report on your experience with community gatherings and curriculum implementation so we can refine and improve.
- In consideration for your full participation and program completion, you will be provided $800.
- Support to create a plan to integrate the Futurelab+ curriculum into your classroom.
- Free access to materials needed for selected biotech labs, and on-call support for lab activities (teaching assistance, advice on classroom prep and set-up, etc.)
- The opportunity to grow your professional network through ongoing engagements – with other teachers, educational non-profits & STEM professionals.
Application will close when full or by May 15, 2022.
- If you do not have an Ignited/ IISME account: Create a new account (and go to Futurelab+ Application)
- If you have an existing Ignited/ IISME account: Login (and go to Futurelab+ Application). If you don’t remember your account information or have issues logging in, contact webmaster@igniteducation.org
Who are the partner organizations?
Working together enables us to focus on our strengths! You will have one main point of contact – no need for you to keep us straight. For context, the following lists key partners for this initiative.
- Genentech is funding and providing industry subject matter expertise for this initiative.
- American Institutes for Research (AIR) is our evaluator and will collect your essential feedback and suggestions so we can learn from your experience and improve the curriculum and supports. AIR will NOT evaluate your teaching.
- Bay Area Bioscience Education Community (BABEC) will provide necessary lab equipment and materials to you, and help address any technical lab support issues.
- California Academy of Sciences will lead the PDs, with other partners to lead specific topics and training.
- Discovery Education (DE) is the lead curriculum designer and writer, with support from Ignited and BABEC. They will also build the website to house the curriculum.
- Ignited Education is the lead for all communications and engagement related to teacher consultants, and will manage all compensation agreements.
- JFF is the lead strategic advisor and program manager.
Can I still apply for a Summer Fellowship through Ignited?
You may apply for the Ignited Summer Fellowship Program and note the competing commitment of the July 25-29 Summer Institute in your application. While there is some flexibility with the timing of the Ignited Summer Fellowship, this flexibility is up to the individual host organization and mentor.