About This Project

Federal agencies, industry, and academia have recently proposed ideas to advance the bioeconomy, a key component of which is enhanced education and training in SynBio. However, current efforts have been geographically limited to the US East and West coasts. To realize the Midwest region's unique potential, address unmet concerns, and test a more expansive approach, we will coordinate educational programs for participation at multiple levels.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Synthetic biology is shaping the future bioeconomy. It captures the imagination of students and better engages them in STEM education. The International Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) drives this process. It was started as a specialized course at MIT and Harvard that prompts a challenging but transformative educational process. iGEM has grown to a worldwide reach and has engaged thousands. However, most relevant opportunities remain concentrated in a few technology hubs. These programs reflect a new approach to STEM education. They all include problem-based learning and a focus on building communities. These features have recently been appreciated to better facilitate achievement of learning outcomes (Miller 2018, Nation 2021, Subsootorn 2018).

What is the significance of this project?

While it builds upon early efforts such as iGEM and BioMADE, our project represents a significant step towards creating a regional community in synthetic biology. By focusing on a particular region, our programming can better serve its unique needs. It will also serve to make the resources and connections more accessible, compared to the prohibitive cost and international travel required for iGEM. By intentionally focusing on a particular region, we hope to show that it will be possible to build a more immersive and impactful community. We also hope that our approach will be a model for other regions, which will eventually enhance the entire nation's bioeconomy, meeting key federal and industry goals in a way that is broadly distributed to many different demographics.

What are the goals of the project?

We will survey students to determine if the program has a measurable impact on their interests. We will also track subsequent participation in other programs such as iGEM, enrollment in college, and employment in industry.

We hope to spark the development of a strong regional bioeconomy and synthetic biology industry in the Great Lakes region. This region has some important challenges and unmet needs - it has a unique ecosystem, home to the greatest freshwater lakes in the world. This is an valuable environment that is threatened by pollution from the legacy of industry in the area, yet these same industries and economic opportunities have deteriorated. A regional SynBio community can empower these groups to build a vibrant bioeconomy.