Bringing Science to the Students

BioOdyssey is creating more equitable opportunities to higher education and careers in science by broadening access to hands-on experience and training in biotechnology for high school students from underserved communities.

Why It’s Important

Real world experience is invaluable to gaining admission to college, applying for a job, or simply figuring out what the right path is after leaving high school. Intense competition for limited programs, a lack of resources, or even a lack of awareness locks many students from underserved communities out of gaining the early experience that can lead to careers in high-paying fields.

How We’ll Do it

Starting with one San Francisco high school, we are collaborating to develop a program to equip students with fundamental techniques and knowledge with an academic and industry focus. These will be built upon to foster independence and critical thinking.

In the next phase, this program will be adapted to a second high school to further encompass a wider range of the city’s diversity. From the lessons learned, we plan to further expand to other high schools throughout the district.

Key Features

• Developing programs directly in high schools addresses one of the barriers to access; transportation

• Thesis-centered projects provide an opportunity to gain experience from idea conception to final project results

• Mentor-guided experiments and projects encourage critical thinking

• Building self-confidence in their ability to become scientists