highlights from the
2009 CONFERENCE ON BIOTECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

The 2009 Conference on Biotechnology Education, held May 15-19 in Atlanta, Georgia, was a unique national meeting for biotechnology teachers, students, and their supporters in the biotechnology industry. The conference offered attendees hands-on workshops, professional development seminars, competitions, networking opportunities, and attendance to the BIO International Convention.

 

National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program

More than 90 teacher-leaders from across the country benefited from four days of hands-on professional development sessions, tours of leading biotechnology sites in the area, and admission to the BIO International Convention. The National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program is building a network of thousands of dedicated advisors, or "Teacher-Leaders," committed to teaching biotechnology to students and to serve as a resource for other teachers. Teacher-Leaders are expected to conduct professional development sessions for other teachers at the local, state or national level. For more information, visit the National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program page.

Minority Fellows Program

The Minority Fellows Program paired more than 20 graduate students from underserved populations at colleges and universities with industry Mentors. Mentors and Fellows attended sessions on career development, emerging technologies, and went on field visits to local biotechnology industry and research facilities. All Fellows attended the subsequent BIO International Convention. In addition to building valuable career networks, Fellows learned about the multi-faceted biotechnology industry and discovered new areas in which to apply an advanced science degree. For more information, visit the Minority Fellows Program page.

Genzyme-Life Technologies Biotech Educator Award

Ten teachers were named finalists to the Genzyme-Life Technologies Biotech Educator Award, the nation's premier biotechnology teaching award. First-place honoree Dave Menshew of James C. Enochs High School in Modesto, CA (holding the award) was recognized by sponsor representatives Pete Leddy of Life Technologies (right) and Henry Darnell of Genzyme. For more information, visit the Genzyme-Life Technologies Biotech Educator Award page.

sanofi-aventis International BioGENeius Challenge

Stephen Trusheim (center), a senior from the Breck School in Golden Valley, Minn., placed first in the sanofi-aventis International BioGENEius Challenge, a competition for high school students who demonstrate an exemplary understanding of biotechnology through science research projects. The 15 finalists for the 2009 BioGENEius Challenge were congratulated in front of a BIO International Convention keynote luncheon audience of more than 2,000. Stephen’s project highlights the most cost-effective ways for hospitals to detect MRSA in high-risk patients before they enter hospitals. For more information, visit the BioGENEius Challenge page.

biotechnology education Banquet

Approximately 600 educators, students, policymakers, and leaders from the education and biotechnology community attended the Biotechnology Education Banquet, the signature networking event of the Conference on Biotechnology Education. Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, a nationally recognized leader in education, delivered the keynote address and shared his passion for the importance of science education reform to the future of the United States.