Beginnings: Experiential Learning for Biomanufacturing Needs in Emerging Technologies

该项目加强了代表不足的社区大学生获得生物技术和生物制造职业的途径。它将通过将体验式学习活动、指导和学术支持结合在一起来提高STEM(科学、技术、工程和数学)意识和机会。活动集中在加利福尼亚州的三个主要生物科学地区(旧金山湾区、洛杉矶/奥兰治县和圣地亚哥)，包括实习、学徒前和生物制造新兴技术的学徒经验，为其他州创造了一个潜在的可复制的模式。学生在努力实现职业目标的同时，获得新兴生物技术所需的实践经验和技能。参加STEM队列活动将帮助STEM中代表性不足的群体的学生获得信心，并将生物技术职业视为未来的选择。他们将有机会为食品、药品和治疗药物的安全生产提供新的解决方案，从而帮助社会提高可持续性并减少对环境的影响。行业受益于通过与区域经济保持一致的包容性、多样化和熟练的劳动力来满足增长需求。这个由MiraCosta社区学院领导的生物制造实习项目计划扩大社区大学生对新兴技术生物制造职业的兴趣、知识和就业能力。社区大学是生物制造行业成功职业生涯的核心，为个人提供了横向和向上的流动性。社区大学证书和学位课程为学生提供生物技术和生物制造方面的实用知识和可转让的技术和专业技能。将通过在合作伙伴地点开展的实践体验学习活动加强这方面的知识，这些活动将为学生提供技能、培训和指导，以建立信心，并为他们在新兴生物技术领域的实习和学徒做好准备。该项目将通过点对点连接、演示和虚拟研讨会，帮助学生建立STEM认同感。该项目利用整个加利福尼亚州的大学、行业和劳动力发展合作伙伴网络，为学生提供实习、学徒前和学徒机会。可衡量的结果包括导师制和微型实习对不同学生的留校、结业和就业的影响。该项目与由NSF TIP和EDU董事资助的NSF ExLENT计划保持一致，因为它寻求支持来自不同专业和教育背景的个人的体验式学习机会，以增加他们对新兴技术领域的兴趣和获得职业道路的机会。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project strengthens pathways for underrepresented community college students to access biotechnology and biomanufacturing careers. It will do so by weaving together experiential learning activities, mentoring, and academic supports to bolster STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) awareness and opportunity. Activities are focused in the three major bioscience regions of California (Bay Area, Los Angeles/ Orange County, and San Diego), and include internship, pre-apprenticeship, and apprenticeship experience in biomanufacturing emerging technologies, creating a potentially replicable model for other states. Students gain hands-on experience and skills needed in emerging biotechnologies while working toward career goals. Participation in STEM cohort activities will help students from groups underrepresented in STEM gain confidence and see biotechnology careers as option for their futures. They will have the opportunity to help society increase sustainability and reduce environmental impact by contributing to new solutions for safe production of food, medicines, and therapeutics. Industries benefit by meeting growth demands with an inclusive, diverse, and skilled workforce aligned with regional economies. This biomanufacturing internship project lead by MiraCosta Community College plans to expand interest in, knowledge of, and employability of community college students in emerging technology biomanufacturing careers. Community colleges are at the heart of robust pathways to successful careers in biomanufacturing that offer individuals both lateral and upward mobility. Community college certificate and degree programs provide students with practical knowledge and transferable technical and professional skills in biotechnology and biomanufacturing. This knowledge will be strengthened through hands-on experiential learning activities conducted at partner locations that will provide students with the skills, training, and mentoring to build confidence and prepare them for internships and apprenticeships in emerging biotechnologies. This project will help to create a sense of STEM identity among students, through peer-to-peer connections, presentations, and virtual workshops. The project taps into a network of college, industry, and workforce development partners throughout the state of California to establish internship, pre-apprenticeship, and apprenticeship opportunities for students. Measurable outcomes include impact of mentorship and micro-internships on retention, completion, and employment for diverse students. This project aligns with the NSF ExLENT Program, funded by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, as it seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals from diverse professional and educational backgrounds to increase their interest in, and their access to, career pathways in emerging technology fields.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.