The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded FSCJ another Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant focused on biotechnology! The Next Generation Bio-Tech project will increase the number of workforce-ready biotechnicians in the region.

This is an important project for the College because it comes at a time when technological progression in the field is occurring rapidly through new innovations like AI, data analytics, big data and other developments. The grant will allow FSCJ students to be introduced to and apply concepts that will truly make them the “next generation” of biotechnicians.

Project goals:

• Update courses in the FSCJ Biotechnology Laboratory Technology Associate in Science degree program to reflect current areas of advanced knowledge enrolling 25 unduplicated students over the project period;  
• Acquire advanced biotechnology instrumentation and materials for students to practice skills on such as a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) instrument, a gas chromatograph and more; and, 
• Strengthen biology and chemistry skills of 40 secondary students from underrepresented populations and up to 24 K-12 teachers over the project period through engaging, hands-on learning activities.

The project period is three years with an award amount of $326,76.