Pipelines and Pipets: Biotechnician Training and Undergraduate Research

该项目正在建立一个新的生物技术学位选择和一个新的生物技术证书，以应对生命科学，联合健康和生物技术行业对更高技能的入门级实验室技术人员的需求，并与行业合作伙伴和行业协会密切合作，开发这些计划。新的生物技术学位选项和生物技术证书旨在纳入相关的，真实的世界的实验室技术的应用是生物技术人员所需的技能。正在开发的课程有足够的严谨性，也提供转学分，以一个四年的计划。智力优势：早期的本科研究已被证明可以提高保留和学术成功的科学，技术，工程和数学（STEM）学科和劳动力竞争力;但是，在此情况下，由于缺乏机构能力或资金，该项目的目标社区学院学生在获得这些经验方面往往处于不利地位。以及社区大学学生普遍存在的时间限制。为了克服这一差距，学院正在注入支持该项目开发的课程，沿着现有的科学和数学课程，以探究为基础的学习方法和研究，如实验室练习，促进生物技术研究和其他STEM学科的成功。该学院还为学生创造了新的机会，让他们参与工作场所的实习和校园暑期研究，提供更深入的经验，培养实用技能。教师的专业发展提高了教学能力，将探究式学习融入科学和数学课程。行业标准设备的收购提供了必要的实验室配置，以提供生物技术课程和培养学生的行业所需的能力。为支持这些计划而开发的新课程以及整个科学和数学部门的振兴课程都以研究式体验为基础，这些体验提供了一种让学生参与学习的方式，帮助他们在学术上取得成功，并教授他们真正全面的技术培训所需的科学探究技能。更广泛的影响：这个本科研究项目是其他社区学院的典范，这些社区学院也面临着类似的挑战，为生物技术和STEM学生提供研究驱动的教育。为了确保该项目产生更广泛的影响，学院制定了一项全面的传播计划，向地方、区域和国家各级的利益攸关方通报与该倡议有关的成果。地区和州的分销渠道包括社区学院和州立大学联盟的成员资格，这些联盟的既定目标是在机构之间和同事之间分享经验和推广最佳做法。作为马萨诸塞州州长STEM咨询理事会认可的示范计划的接受者，该委员会在提高科学专业的保留率，毕业率和转移率方面的工作，该学院拥有既定的证书和来自有关当局的支持，以确保该项目的调查结果被英联邦各地的机构听到和注意。在国家一级，该计划将通过NSF ATE年会和ATE Central等可访问的渠道推广研究结果，并寻求机会通过学术会议上的演讲和海报展示研究结果。

This project is establishing a new biotechnology degree option and a new biotechnology certificate to respond to life science, allied health and biotechnology industry needs for more highly skilled, entry level laboratory technicians and is working closely with industry partners and industry associations to develop these programs. The new biotechnology degree option and biotechnology certificate are designed to incorporate relevant, real world applications of laboratory techniques that are required skills for biotechnicians. The courses being developed have sufficient rigor to also offer transfer credit to a four-year program.Intellectual Merit: Early undergraduate research has been shown to improve retention and academic success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and workforce competitiveness; however, the community college students this project targets are often at a disadvantage in gaining these experiences due to lack of institutional capacity or financial and time constraints common among students at community colleges. To overcome this gap, the college is infusing courses developed in support of this project, along with existing science and mathematics curriculum, with inquiry-based learning methodologies and research like laboratory exercises that promote success in biotechnology studies and other STEM disciplines. The college is also creating new opportunities for students to engage in workplace internships and on campus summer research that provide more intensive experiences and build practical skills. Professional development for faculty enhances teaching capacity to integrate inquiry based learning into science and mathematics curriculum. Acquisition of industry standard equipment provides the laboratory configuration necessary to deliver the biotechnology programs and develop industry required competencies in students. New courses developed in support of these programs and revitalized curricula throughout the Division of Science and Mathematics are grounded in research-like experiences that provide a means to engage students in learning in a way that helps them to be academically successful and teaches them the scientific inquiry skills needed for a truly comprehensive technical training. Broader Impact: This undergraduate research program is a model for other community colleges that are similarly challenged to provide research driven education to biotechnology and STEM students. To ensure the broader impact of the project, the college has developed a thorough dissemination plan to inform stakeholders at the local, regional, and national level on outcomes related to this initiative. Regional and state distribution channels include membership in consortia of community colleges and state universities that have the established goals of sharing experiences and promoting best practices between institutions and among colleagues. As the recipient of a model program endorsement from the Massachusetts Governor's STEM Advisory Council for its work in improving retention, graduation, and transfer rates among science majors, the college has the established credentials and support from appropriate authorities to ensure that findings from this project are both heard and heeded by institutions across the Commonwealth. On a national level, the plan is to promote the findings through accessible channels such as the annual NSF ATE conference and ATE Central, as well as seek opportunities to present findings through presentations and posters at academic conferences.