The Biotechnology Research Learning Collaborative (BRLC), involving Barry University and Altor BioScience, is developing new instructional materials and promoting professional development among postsecondary biotechnology instructors, lab managers, and tutors. BRLC is creating a series of laboratory-based, industry-applicable, small-scale research projects appropriate for two-year college students. Project faculty are testing the learning effectiveness of these research projects within college credit courses over a three-year period. An external evaluator is assessing the research-based learning activities for pedagogical content, industry applications, replication, student retention, and student learning. BRLC personnel are compiling the individual lab-based research projects and evaluation findings into a publication for college biotechnology instructors and lab managers. The project targets sixty minority and women college students as participants in the original lab-based research projects.
