Advancing next generation BIO-technician preparedness in northeast florida

This $326,721 federal Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) aims to enhance biotechnology technician education at Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ). The key project goals are to: 1) update curriculum in FSCJ's existing biotechnology laboratory technology associate's degree program, including a modified externship course; 2) acquire advanced research-grade instruments for student skills development; and 3) implement hands-on biotechnology mobile mini-labs to engage K-12 students and teachers. The comprehensive evaluation effort seeks to contribute knowledge about training practices in new and emerging technical fields, with the results and products expected to be disseminated to other two-year college technical programs. This project supports the NSF's mission to ensure the vitality of the nation's STEM education enterprise by preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for the rapidly advancing biotechnology field.

Abstract

This ATE track 2 project aims to serve national interest by improving curricula and educational materials in biotechnician education in the northeast florida region. Biotechnology is currently undergoing a global evolution as evidenced by new innovations, developments, and breakthroughs. The most notable areas propelling biotechnology innovation involve computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, synthetic biology, mixed reality technologies, and others. One of the key challenges in this sector is developing a workforce that possesses the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for these emerging areas. To prepare students with the skills they will need to enter the workforce successfully, this project plans to integrate instruction on these emerging technologies into an existing biotechnology program. This multipronged program improvement effort has the potential to better prepare students and regional technicians to enter the rapidly advancing biotechnology field. The project goals are to: 1) update courses in the current biotechnology laboratory technology associate in science degree program to include a modified externship course; 2) acquire advanced instruments for students to develop skills using research-grade instruments; and 3) implement hands-on, biotechnology mobile mini-labs that engage k-12 students and teachers in current and applied stem curricula. A comprehensive evaluation effort seeks to provide data for ongoing project improvement as well as to contribute knowledge regarding training practices in new and emerging technical fields. Additionally, project findings aim to advance stem education knowledge about how active and inquiry-equipment based learning within a biotechnology program improves students' readiness for the biotechnology workforce. Results and products of the project are expected to be disseminated to other two-year college technical programs interested in improving curriculum to meet regional or national needs for skilled biotechnicians. This project is funded by the advanced technological education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation's economy. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.