ATE Project Talks: Broadening Ag Science biotech and developing a biomanufacturing workforce

Welcome to the InnovATEBIO 2022 series of virtual ATE project talks.  This series features leaders in biotechnology workforce education from across the US sharing their work on exciting projects funded by the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program.  The ATE program supports the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation's economy.

In the talk this week, we will learn about one project focused around agricultural biotechnology and another project focused on developing a workforce for biomanufacturing.

Each talk will be 20 minutes, followed by 15 minutes for questions and discussion.

View the whole series of InnovATEBIO 2022 ATE project talks.

Talk 1:  Broadening participation in biotech in the Ag Sciences

Description: The project is designed to increase the participation of individuals from Hispanic communities in plant/agricultural biotechnology. To do so, the project team will develop stackable credentials that prepare students to enter the region’s plant/agricultural biotechnology workforce and can lead to a new associates degree in plant/agriculture biotechnology. This degree program will be designed in collaboration with local industry partners and stakeholders in K- 14 education. Local high school teachers will also receive training in biotechnology skills aligned with the new curriculum, thus creating a pathway from high school into plant/agricultural biotechnology. The project is based at Allan Hancock College, a Hispanic-Serving Institution located in the Central Coast of CA.

Speakers:  Erin Krier  (Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria, CA) and Ying-Tsu Loh PhD (BABEC, San Francisco, CA)

• Learn more about the Broadening Participation in Plant/Agricultural Biotechnology ATE project

Talk 2:  Developing a Highly Capable Biomanufacturing Technical Workforce in South Texas

Description: The goals of the project are to:

1. Build a competent, customized workforce of under-represented students in South Texas for local and regional employment; Improve scientific literacy through course-based research activities;  
2. Incorporate NCTM instructional online technology into existing and planned certificate courses; and
3. To provide professional development for high school and college educators.
    

Speakers:  Daiyuan Zhang PhD and J. Robert Hatherill PhD (Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, TX)

• Learn more about the Developing a Highly Capable Biomanufacturing Technical Workforce in South Texas ATE project