In its Third Iteration, Biotech Discovery Labs Program Serves International Audience

Earlier this summer, 18 teachers visited the ASGCT headquarters for the third iteration of the Biotech Discovery Labs (BDL) Program. This year, the teachers came from a variety of backgrounds and levels, from local to international and from just starting in the classroom to getting close to retirement. This diversity of ability, background, and knowledge fostered innovation and strong outcomes by the end of the very busy week.

Not all the teachers come into the program with experience in biotech, so the pre-lab resources ASGCT provides are essential. These resources, including Patient Education materials, discussion questions, and articles, help teachers build their knowledge before the lab portion of the program begins. Several teachers noted the importance of the pre-lab training and said it paired perfectly for the in-person portion.  

One middle school teacher with little experience in biotech told me she debated whether to turn around the first morning of training, fearing that she wouldn’t know enough to participate. By the end of the week, she expressed her gratitude for the training, excited by how much she learned through BDL. The second middle school teacher set up a meeting with me to explore how to utilize the resources with her students. We scrolled through vendor websites and created a yearly curriculum plan to ensure students could build on knowledge and skills while still having fun.

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), like many other districts, struggles to meet the needs of teachers and their students through resources and personnel. To combat the national teacher shortage, MPS hired international teachers and provided them with VISAs. One of these teachers, from Nigeria, was the first to arrive at the office on the Monday the program began. Once I greeted her and she settled in, I could tell she had a strong but calm demeanor. 

Later in the week, while working with her on a lab activity, I asked her what part of the country she was from.

“Northern Nigeria," she said. "I came with my two daughters.”

I commended her on her bravery and strength. As a single mom, I can’t imagine leaving home to explore new opportunities and work in a new country. 

“This opportunity for me would not have been possible even 15 years ago,” the teacher said. 

I understood that the shifting societal norms in her nation were what allowed her to move to the United States on her own.

As we talked, I was moved that the conversation kept coming back to what she could bring home to Nigeria. She earnestly asked what ASGCT was doing for people in similar situations to her. She was incredibly impressed that ASGCT has local, national, and international programming. 

On the last day, I explained to the teachers that they would have money to spend on classroom supplies  and could take some other extra resources, including a refrigerator. The Nigerian teacher approached me with tears in her eyes.

“I didn’t think I was going to leave with anything except knowledge. I can’t believe I get to have resources as well!”

She asked to give us all a hug. We obliged with tears in our eyes and with a promise to support her in her classroom.

My experiences during BDL week this year proved to me that the impact of ASGCT’s outreach programming cannot be understated. Individuals both here and abroad are looking for ASGCT’s leadership within gene and cell therapy and we are reaching them through many avenues including the BDL program. The results may not be noticeable now but the ripple effect is happening.

Renee is ASGCT's Program Manager, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.