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Growing the FutureIMPACT REPORT 2023
MissionEmpowering the NextGeneration of Life Scientists “The BioBuilder curriculum takes education where it really shouldbe, student centered and project based.”- Dave WestenbergProfessor of Biological Sciences at Missouri University of Science & Technology
Since 2011, BioBuilder has provided transformative life scienceeducation and training. We set our sights high and aim to equip allhigh school students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrivein a future shaped by bioengineering. This field is poised torevolutionize industries, fortify economies, and address globalchallenges. No one should be left out. As you’ll see here, we have programs such as our High SchoolApprenticeship Challenge and our BioBuilderClub that ignite a passionfor life science in students. Our workshops for professionals renewenthusiasm among educators as well as industry professionals,ensuring that everyone stays at the forefront of innovation.I invite you to take a look at some notable achievements from 2023,and then preview the ambitious plans we have for the upcoming year.And if you like what you see, please join us. Together we can empowerthe next generation of life scientists to solve some of the world’sbiggest challenges. A message from BioBuilder’s founder and executive director
BioBuilder has a global presence30,000 STUDENTS since 2011560+ TEACHERS since 201155 COUNTRIES49 U.S.STATES 14WORLD CLASS PROGRAMS
2021BioBuilder LearningLab opens insideGinkgo Bioworksheadquarters inBostonCharting Twelve Years of GrowthBioBuilder is a project-based curriculum that has prepared students for collegeand career for more than a decade. 2011With support from theNational ScienceFoundation (NSF) andMIT, BioBuilder isestablished as a 501c3and begins to publishcurricula online2015Writes the “Building WithBiology” activities with theMuseum of Science inBoston, which facilitatedpublic engagement inmuseums around the U.S.“BioBuilder: SyntheticBiology in the Lab” ispublished by O’Reillyin English, and later inJapanese (2018) andRussian (2019)2016BioBuilder launches itsworkforce training initiativefor under-served high schoolstudents, in partnership withMA Life Sciences Center2017BioBuilder opens firstdedicated teachingspace insideLabCentral’sentrepreneurialcommunity inCambridge, MABioBuilder teams upwith world renownedCarolina BiologicalSupply Company asexclusive globaldistributor ofBioBuilder Lab Kits2023BioBuilderClub turns 102022BioBuilder designscredit-bearingprogram for highschool students inWorcester, MA toprepare them forbiomanufacturingcareers2014BioBuilder hoststhe firstBioBuilderClubteams at MIT2019BioBuilder and theEastman Foundationpartner toimplementBioBuilder in rural TNMilestones in BioBuilder’s growth
Student ImpactIn 2023, BioBuilder directly trained19 high school apprentices all withbackgrounds that are under-represented inscience177 BioBuilderClub students working on 31project teams around the world626 students who participated in workshops inBioBuilder’s Learning Lab
BioBuilderClub Turns 102023 was the 10th anniversary of our BioBuilderClub, a program thathas introduced collaborative biodesign and project developmentto students all over the world. To date, the BioBuilderClub hasProgram spotlight“My experience in BioBuilder, I'd say was the maindriving factor towards me deciding what I wanted topursue in college." - Veni Dole, currently studying Chemical Engineering at Columbia University. As a highschool student she participated in the 2018 BioBuilderClub at Andover High School.Stokedscientificcuriosity for 2224 students on 256 teamsPublishedarticles77 peerreviewedarticles abouttheir workProvidedmentors 175 mentorsguided teamsand co-developedtheir projectsideasEngagedparticipantsfrom 84schools25 states6 countries
BioBuilder has directly trained561 total teachers since 2011 teachers from 6 states in 2023high school educators and collegefaculty from 34 states and 14 countriessince 2011Teacher Professional Development
BioBuilder Teachers are Winning AwardsTeacher impact “The students design an organism to solve a problem. Thedirections they go are always so unique and inspiring becauseit's what they are passionate about – to do their own researchoutside of class. It’s teaching them to find a passion, andfollow it.” - Evie LaFolletteEvie LaFolletteDobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, TNWinner of the 2023 Robert E. Yager Exemplary Teaching Award by the NationalScience Teaching Association (NSTA), which awards K-12 teachers of science whosuccessfully use innovation and excellence in their classroom. Evie also leadsteacher workshops to train teachers across the state how to implementbioengineering at their high school for students of all levels.Rebekah RavgialaTyngsborough High School in Tyngsborough, MA2023 MassBioEd Champion for Biotechnology Education and Joshua Boger Innovative School of the Year Award whichawarded them a grant to do research on bioengineering lavender essential oilas a mosquito repellent.
BioBuilder directly providedtraining to 1,147 Learning Lab visitors in 2023educational opportunities to 3,206 Learning Lab visitorssince 201799 days of Learning Lab programming in 2023Community Outreach
More than 100 employees participated in our “BioBuilder For GinkgoProfessionals” workshop this year. Participants expanded on their skills in a multi-day program in the classroom and laboratory, gaining in-depth synthetic biology skills and knowledge that translate to the workplace. What they learned:Basic lab techniquesHands-on approach to complex concepts including cell culturing and measurementTechnical language forresearch communicationEnhanced ways to communicate with clientsSpecial Connection to Industry: Ginkgo BioworksCommunity outreach“I learned what we truly doat Ginkgo and was able topractice it so that it wasn'tmemorizing words, but trulyunderstanding complexconcepts.”
BioBuilder Community Events in 2023Growing the FutureA Symposium on Innovation and Education for theBioeconomyCommunity outreachWIth the aim of showcasing the region’s bioeconomy momentum, BioBuilder teamed up withthe ETSU Research Corporation to organize a synthetic biology symposium in Johnson City,Tennessee. More than 200 community members and speakers attended, including BioBuildereducators, industry representatives from Ginkgo Bioworks and Crown Labs, and governmentrepresentatives including the Department of Defense and BioMADE. The Final Assembly A BioBuilderClub Conference at LabCentralThe BioBuilderClub’s 10th season came to a celebratory close whenBioBuilder teams from around the world headlined a biodesign showcaseevent in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Students attended in-person andremotely to present short talks and scientific posters about their researchand to network. Their projects tackled problem areas in human andenvironmental health, and offered sustainable solutions to challenges inmaterial and food production. More than 100 scientists, entrepreneurs,educators, and fellow students attended.
BioBuilder Prepares Students for SuccessStudent impact “BioBuilder is an amazing organization and I have been so fortunateto learn from everyone involved. Thank you for your encouragementand support from high school all through my PhD!”- Michael SheetsNancy OtalukaOne of the first BioBuilder ApprenticesSummer internship at Gen9U Mass Dartmouth, Class of 2021, Psychology major, minor in BiochemistryNow a Clinical Research Assistant at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterPursuing a Masters Degree in Biomedical Sciences at Tufts University Schoolof Medicine, with plans to attend medical school after receiving her degreeMichael SheetsOne of the first BioBuilderClub membersOlin College of Engineering, Class of 2017, Bioengineering majorBoston University, PhD, graduating in 2023 with a doctorate in BiomedicalEngineeringNow a Scientist at Sunflower Therapeutics
BioBuilder’s Executive BoardMary TamerDirector, DFER MassachusettsBoard PresidentNatalie KuldellFounder, BioBuilderExecutive DirectorDrew EndyProfessor, Stanford UniversityKathryn HartProfessor, Williams CollegeKeira KrauszChief Marketing Officer, PurpleTheresa LynnUnited Way of Central MARebekah RavgialaTeacher, Tyngsborough HSDon ShobrysDirector, MIT VMSValerie TutsonStoryteller, Providence RIJosh ZinnsFounder, Botanic Properties
Fiscal SummaryKey PartnersTotalRevenue$1.9MTotalExpenses$1.2MOperations $111KPersonnel $478KPrograms $643KGrant FoundationSupport $1.4MPrograms $327KInvestments $35KDonations $173K
The BioBuilder Educational Foundation is 501(c)3 organizationTIN: 45-3844761Website: BioBuilder.orgEmail address: info@biobuilder.orgIndividuals and Foundations are vital partners in BioBuilder’s educational mission. Todiscuss charitable giving, contact our Executive Director: natalie@biobuilder.org