The Education and Training Program promotes workforce preparedness and public understanding of bioscience by supporting North Carolina educators at all educational levels.
Those objectives are met through these programs:
- Teacher Training and Assistance
- Summer Biotechnology Workshops for Educators
The workshops cover the science basics. The hands-on lab activities reinforce the objectives found in the North Carolina Science Standard Course of Study for high schools. Additionally, the equipment loan, laboratory supplies and video loan programs supply teachers with the materials necessary to teach biotechnology. - Education Grants
The Biotechnology Center awarded 19 grants in 2005 totaling $356,161 to strengthen bioscience education and training programs. - Industry Needs Assessment
As a part of the workforce development program, industry needs assessments are conducted to provide educators with biotechnology industry information focusing on employment and training needs. - Curriculum Development
Partnering with educational institutions and other outreach providers, the Biotechnology Center has helped to design a number of curriculum development projects. Those projects include a one-semester course called BioWork, providing basic education for entry-level process technicians in the bioprocess, pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing industries.