Update on Project Progress and Expenditure
Project Progress: Since the inception of our apprenticeship-based learning system for biology education, we have made significant strides in achieving our goals. Here's a summary of our progress:
Establishment of Mentorship Program: We successfully recruited a network of experienced researchers who have enthusiastically joined our mentorship program. Including folks from Open Insulin, the GRFT project, and Counter Culture Labs, as well as Biocurious. These mentors are actively engaged in guiding and supporting our students in hands-on lab skills and research fundamentals.
Connection of Students with Mentors: By the end of January, we connected our first batch of students with their respective mentors. This marked the official commencement of our program, and we are pleased with the positive feedback received from both mentors and students. We also started teaching Intro to synthetic biology classes which were well received at BioPunk Society and Counter Culture Labs, hoping to expand to other labs soon
Development of Self-Guided Learning Resources: Our team has been diligently working on creating self-directed learning resources to supplement the mentorship program. We started teaching Intro to synthetic biology classes which were well received at BioPunk Society and Counter Culture Labs, hoping to expand the materials to more advanced topics and teach at other labs soon as well.
Assessment and Evaluation: Our evaluations are based on knowledge acquisition, equipment handling and lab skills. We support each individual to reach their personal capacity. Regardless of time necessary to develop those skills
Expenditure Breakdown: Here's how the allocated budget has been utilized:
Software: $500 - We invested in software tools for the creation of self-guided learning resources, facilitating an interactive and engaging learning experience for our students.
Dedicated Lab Space: $5,000 - Funds were allocated towards renting a dedicated lab space at the BioPunk Society community biolab in downtown San Francisco. This space serves as the primary venue for our mentorship program and hands-on laboratory activities.
Pipettes: $1,000 - We purchased pipettes to equip our lab space with essential equipment for conducting experiments and practical training sessions.
Consumables: $1,000 - Funds were allocated for the procurement of consumables such as tips, petri plates, and other laboratory supplies necessary for student experiments.
Reagents: $2,500 - We invested in a variety of reagents including dNTPs, polymerases, and other biochemicals essential for conducting molecular biology experiments.
Overall, the budget has been prudently managed to support the successful implementation of our mentorship program and ensure optimal learning outcomes for our students.
Best regards,
Christian Tate President BioPunk Society
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