Background

Location:
Columbus Center 701 East Pratt St. Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 576-5778 or (410) 234-8850


Student Programs:
Grades 6-12 Lab Programs
Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Grades 3-5 Looking at Chesapeake Bay Program (call 410-576-5778 for more information)
Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Currently we can accomodate a minimum of 15 students. The maximum number of students varies depending upon the monthly program.

Cost:
$10 per student, teachers and chaperones attend free or charge. We would like you to limit the number of chaperones to 1 for every 10 students.

The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute in partnership with the Maryland Sea Grant Extension Program has developed and expanded the successful K-16 Science and Technology Education Program (SciTech), (http://www.umbi.umd.edu/~scitech), designed to address the well-documented need for better science education in two ways. First, the program makes science more accessible, exciting and relevant for teachers and students by offering hands-on programming that is based on current-day research in a real laboratory setting within the Columbus Center. Secondly, the programs provide educators with high-quality training and enrichment that gives them with the knowledge and tools they need to challenge their students more fully, teach science in a more engaging way, and gain experience in a field of growing importance – biotechnology.
Since September 1995, SciTech has attracted thousands of students and teachers engaging them in intensive "hands-on" laboratory-based activities that stimulate thought and excite participants. The inquiry-based model challenges students and teachers to creatively develop hypotheses and understand the initial steps of the scientific process. UMBI and the Maryland Sea Grant Extension Program serve as the resources for the development of activities that accurately reflect modern research that connects participants with their environment, specifically Chesapeake Bay. Interactions with UMBI scientists and graduate students from the Center of Marine Biotechnology (upon request), provides a vital link that help participants understand the role of the research scientist and breaks down the misconceptions about the scientific research community. The breadth of participation in SciTech Education Programs has been impressive. The participation of teachers and students from nearly all counties in Maryland, including public, private, and home school groups, and schools from other states including Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York.