Project Biotech

 What students are saying about PROJECT BIOTECH

My entire perspective of science was altered; I found myself able to actually imagine working in a lab, or in a STEM-related field.

- 2018 "Biotechnology & Cancer" Camper

 This camp helped open my mind to the different jobs that involve biotech. Everything was super fun, from the labs to the tours of biotech companies. I definitely recommend this to anyone interested in biology & biotech

- 2018 "Biotechnology & Cancer" Camper

 "I am amazed at the amount of knowledge that these campers have obtained over the course of just one week! My camper absolutely loved the program this week and every night shared with us all of the details of the day, highlighting what was learned.

- Parent of 2018 "Biotechnology Essentials & Beyond" Camper

What is PROJECT BIOTECH?

• Are you interested in learning more about the field of biotechnology? 
• Want to know what scientists actually DO in the lab? 

 Then join us for week-long experiences in Shoreline's state-of-the-art Biotechnology Lab! 

2020 Summer Camps

Registration for 2020 PROJECT BIOTECH summer camps will open in February 2020.  Those on our mailing list are notified by email when registration is available.  If you are not currently on our mailing list and would like to be, please email Dr. Dina Kovarik, Chair of the Biotechnology Lab Specialist Program at dkovarik@shoreline.edu.

Download our current camp flier!

Each camp can accept only 24 students so early registration is encouraged. Applications from current 8th through 11th graders will be reviewed immediately. 12th grade student applications will be reviewed after June 15th if there are camp openings available.

Camp dates and topics are listed below.  Additional details about camp content will be posted as they become available.

If cost is a prohibiting factor in your ability to attend this camp, funding may be available for you. Please email Dr. Dina Kovarik (dkovarik@shoreline.edu) for more information.

Week 1: July 6-10, 2020 - Biotechnology Essentials & Beyond

Week 2: July 20-24, 2020 - Biotechnology & Orca Conservation

Week 3: August 3-7, 2020 - Biotechnology & Infectious Disease: Tracking Pandemic Flu

How to Register

Week 1: July 6-10, 2020 - Biotechnology Essentials & Beyond

Biotechnology is a diverse field that includes tools and techniques that are used in all fields of biology. This camp includes micropipetting; DNA purification, PCR and sequence analysis used to identify species (also called "DNA Barcoding"); making a genetically modified organism (GMO); and visits with scientists from the Puget Sound area.  This camp is designed for rising freshman, rising sophomores, and campers of any age interested in basic biotechnology training.  This camp also provides all of the training needed for subsequent camps.

Molecular biology and biotechnology skills development including:

• Micropipetting
• DNA Purification & DNA Sequencing
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
• Discussions with Scientists
• Using computers to view macromolecules & analyzing DNA data for species identification and genetic testing

Week 2: July 20-24, 2020 - Biotechnology & Orca Conservation

Orcas (also known as Killer Whales or Orcinus orca) are an iconic species central to the ecosystem and culture of the Pacific Northwest. In recent years, our Southern Resident Orcas have faced great challenges to their long-term survival, including food insecurity and stress from boat and ship traffic in the Puget Sound. In order to help them survive, we must understand the greatest threats to their health. Analyzing scat provides an opportunity to evaluate Orca health in a non-invasive way without adding to their stress. In addition to learning many techniques associated with scat studies and how to evaluate the health of the Puget Sound food web, campers will also be able to meet with the scientists at the University of Washington engaged in this cutting-edge and vital research. This camp will also include tours of other research labs at the University of Washington and is designed for rising juniors and seniors, PROJECT BIOTECH camp alumni, or other students with more biotechnology experience.

Molecular biology and biotechnology skills development including:

• Advanced lab techniques to analyze Orca health: Polymerase Chain Reaction, SDS-PAGE, Western blots & ELISAs
• Research lab tours at the University of Washington
• Career panel and discussions with scientists
• Biotechnology & career exploration

Week 3: August 3-7, 2020 - Biotechnology & Infectious Disease:  Tracking Pandemic Flu

During the 2017-2018 flu season, an estimated 79,000 Americans died of the flu and its complications, compared to 12,000 to 56,000 in previous years (www.cdc.gov/flu).  Each year, there is a risk of a new pandemic strain arising, defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as "a global outbreak of a new influenza virus [which] happens when new (novel) influenza viruses emerge which are able to infect people easily and spread from person to person in an efficient and sustained way."  Campers will learn about the epidemiology of influenza, including how novel influenza strains emerge, and how they are identified and studied.  This camp provides hands-on lab and computer activities like those researchers use to study infectious disease outbreaks, including diagnostic tools (ELISAs and Western blots), and sequence analysis and comparisons of current influenza vaccine strains and circulating strains of the flu. This camp will also include tours of local research institutions near downtown Seattle and is designed for rising juniors and seniors, PROJECT BIOTECH camp alumni, or other students with more biotechnology experience.

Molecular biology and biotechnology skills development including:

• Advanced lab techniques to diagnose & treat disease: outbreak investigations, SDS-PAGE, Western blots & ELISAs
• Biotech company and research institution tours in Seattle
• Career panel and discussions with scientists
• Biotechnology & human health career exploration

2018 Summer Camps Highlights

Our 2018 PROJECT BIOTECH summer camp season ended Friday, July 29, 2018.  We held three camps:

• Week 1: Biotechnology Essentials & Beyond (June 25-29, 2018)
• Week 2: Biotechnology & Infectious Disease: Tracking Pandemic Flu (July 9-13, 2018)
• Week 3: Biotechnology & Cancer: Causes, Cures and Careers (July 23-27, 2018)

For highlights of our the 2018 camps, please click the video links below. 

 

 
Thank you to our 2019 camp sponsors!

 

  

        

Seed Intellectual Property Law Group LLP * Covance

SystImmune, Inc * bluebird bio

Shoreline Central Market

Thermo Fisher Scientific

For sponsorship information, please view our sponsorship packages and contact Dr. Reitha Weeks, Camp Program Coordinator, at reithaweeks@gmail.com. 

 
Thank you to our past donors and sponsors: 

The Norcliffe Foundation
ZymoGenetics, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Seattle Genetics * Novo Nordisk * CellGene
Juno Therapeutics
AGC Biologics

Aptevo Therapeutics * Pacific Northwest Research Institute
Alturas Analytics * Covance * NanoString Technologies * Seed Intellectual Property Law Group, LLP
SystImmune * Amgen Biotech Experience * Shoreline Central Market