Biotech Teacher Training Initiative (BTTI)
Professional Development for Science Teachers
Congratulations to the spring semester cohort!
JUST IN: We’ve officially concluded our BTTI Biotech Infusion spring semester workshop, and we couldn’t be more excited about the impact of this hands-on, industry-informed professional development. Seventeen science and healthcare teachers reaching ~1900 students came together for the in-person portion at Central Georgia Technical College in Macon. Participants engaged with biotech laboratory laboratories and heard real-world perspectives delivered by guest speakers from Genentech, The Pipette Solution and Ward’s Science (part of Avantor).
These teachers are now a part of a growing state network that supports their professional growth and deepened understanding of biotech as they work to inspire and prepare their students for careers in life sciences. Thank you to our educators and partners who make this possible and help strengthen Georgia’s life sciences talent pipeline!
| First | Last | School | Grade Levels Teaching This Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexis | Allen | Central High School | 11, 12 |
| Marissa | Christie | Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology | 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| Alana | Conway | Stockbridge High School | 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| Tonie | Curry | North Clayton High School | 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| Gretchen | Davis | McEachern High School | 9, 12 |
| Wendy | Duggan | Washington County High School | 10, 12 |
| Logan | Hartley | Washington County High School | 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| June | Haygood | Global Impact Academy | 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| Deitra | Hill Jones | Global Impact Academy | 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| Josephine | Jeganathan | Stockbridge High School | 9, 10, 11, 12 |
| Aliyah | Johnson | Alpharetta High School | 11, 12 |
Georgia Life Sciences’ Biotech Teacher Training Initiative (BTTI) offers hands-on, immersive science- related professional development for Georgia teachers. Curriculum is built to highlight and leverage the biotechnology that exists within traditional science courses, including biology and AP biology, chemistry and AP chemistry, physics, environmental biology, agriculture and horticulture, physical sciences, and life sciences.
We work with educators to help them prepare to implement skills, concepts, and techniques that are relevant in the modern industry as part of their current lesson plan. Examples include lab safety, pipetting, aseptic technique, chromatography, electrophoresis, solutions and dilutions, Central Dogma, and PCR.
Biotech Infusion Workshops
This workshop series is composed of four two-hour virtual sessions and one in-person session. During Biotech Infusion, we explore basic biotech concepts that exist across standard science disciplines, with a focus on implementing career-relevant laboratory activities into middle and high school science and CTAE courses. Teachers are provided the necessary equipment to complete one lab from the workshop with all sections of one course and receive ongoing supply and curriculum support.
JUST IN: We’ve officially concluded our BTTI Biotech Infusion spring semester workshop, and we couldn’t be more excited about the impact of this hands-on, industry-informed professional development. Seventeen science and healthcare teachers reaching ~1900 students came together for the in-person portion at Central Georgia Technical College in Macon. Participants engaged with biotech laboratory laboratories and heard real-world perspectives delivered by guest speakers from Genentech, The Pipette Solution and Ward’s Science (part of Avantor). These teachers are now a part of a growing state network that supports their professional growth and deepened understanding of biotech as they work to inspire and prepare their students for careers in life sciences. Thank you to our educators and partners who make this possible and help strengthen Georgia’s life sciences talent pipeline!
Sign up for the newsletter to learn about upcoming professional development opportunities and dates for future workshops.
Program Impact
To learn more about BTTI opportunities, please contact Megan Heaphy.
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Georgia Life Sciences has been instrumental in my success as an instructor in teaching biotechnology. When Biotechnology was introduced into the GA Board of Education Curriculum, South Cobb High School was the pilot school for the county. Not only did Georgia Bio guide and advise me, but I also knew if I had a problem, it could be easily solved with the personnel in the organization. This along with the Visiting Scientist program and making classes available to instructors was crucial in achieving a successful program in the state of Georgia.
Ellen Katzowitz
Retired biotechnology teacher and 2013 Biotechnology Teacher of the Year
Ways for industry to get involved
Share your hiring needs
Provide a list of skills your company looks for when hiring entry-level employees. We would prefer a list of science skills, but would also like to know about the top soft skills that your company needs. Entry-level job descriptions would be helpful. Your contributions will drive the training curriculum.
Donate materials
The Equipment Depot can take in any equipment or unused disposable items that your business would otherwise throw away. The disposable items can be outside of their expiration date, if applicable. We will in turn donate these materials to the teachers, so that they can be used in their classrooms. If there are larger pieces of equipment (freezers, incubators, centrifuges, etc.), we can notify teachers to schedule pickup with your company.
