and life sciences communities in Maryland and the
region by providing outstanding education, advocacy
and business networking opportunities.
MdBioLab About
Our Mission
- Increase science literacy among high school students
- Increase student awareness of career opportunities in bioscience and encourage students to consider careers in science
- Provide students and teachers with the tools and resources to build empowering learning environments
Tools
- State-of-the-art bioscience lab
- Research grade equipment
- Cutting-edge curriculum
- Curriculum that follows MSDE Core Learning Goals for Science
Resources
- Experienced Scientists as MdBioLab Instructors
- Pre and Post-lab materials and background information
- Teacher training
History
The MdBioLab Consortium, consisting of MdBio, Inc., the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI), and The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR), launched MdBioLab: A Mobile Bioscience Education Laboratory Initiative in February 2003.
MdBioLab is a custom-designed and built tractor-trailer, capable of accommodating 32 students at a time. It is built on the successful mobile lab programs that were created by CityLab in Boston and others in Connecticut and North Carolina. The interior of the truck includes complete bioscience laboratory facilities as well as communications equipment that will allow online access to bioinformatics databases and other relevant information resources. Both Fisher Scientific and the NIH Foundation supported MdBioLab with a generous donation of $100,000 in equipment, materials and reagents in fall 2002.
Since 2003, over 30,000 students and 200 teachers have participated in hands-on laboratory activities and workshop on MdBioLab. The Mobile Laboratory has visited high schools in all of Maryland’s counties.
MdBioLab participates in summer camps throughout the state and D.C. Metro area including the Maryland State Department of Education Governor’s Academy for Biology and the Maryland Public Television EnviroHealth Connections Summer Insistute. MdBioLab also participated in Maryland Day 2005 at the University of Maryland, College Park and has been to the State Fair and other various community events.
Mobile Laboratory Coaltion
MdBioLab is also a member of the Mobile Laboratory Coalition. This partnership of mobile science laboratory programs support each other through evaluation, best practices and curriculum share.
