Objectives and Goals

The Biotech Discovery Labs program began as a collaboration between ASGCT's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) in 2022 with the goal of increasing MPS students' interest in and preparedness for future sceintific and medical careers. As a first step, we held trainings for Milwaukee-area teachers and showed them how to conduct CGT-related laboratory experiments involving DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, and CRISPR.

During the 2022-2023 school year, the teachers brought these experiments to students for the first time. In the summer of 2023, the training expanded, thanks to a generous grant from Bristol Myers Squibb.

Currently, more than 500 students are part of or have been part of a classroom utilizing the program's labs and training. ASGCT aims to reach more than 1,000 Milwaukee students by June 2025.

See the program in action

Data 

• 20 teachers have participated in the program training (Four in 2022, 16 in 2023) 

• 12 MPS high schools were represented in 2022 and 2023

• 70% of participating teachers identified as female and 30% identified as male

• 59% of participating teachers and 85% of participating students identified as coming from an underrepresented background

Coming in 2024

This summer will bring substantial growth to the program. ASGCT will be accepting 20 teachers from MPS and charter schools. We hope to reach hundreds more students with these important, hands-on biotech lab experiences!

If you would like to partner with ASGCT to help maintain and grow the program, please reach out to ASGCT's DEI Program Manager Renee Strong at rstrong@asgct.org.