Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
The BioExperience Research and Entrepreneurship Challenge: An iGEM-inspired applied research program for BIOSTEM talent and skills development.
Gill, Hertek; Ahsan, Mahdi; Khalil, Yara; Feng, Victoria; Pearce, Jessie; Sharma, Tarasha; Radwan, Mohamad; Boucinha, Austin; Kærn, Mads.
Afiliação
  • Gill H; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  • Ahsan M; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  • Khalil Y; Translational and Molecular Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  • Feng V; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  • Pearce J; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  • Sharma T; Translational and Molecular Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  • Radwan M; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  • Boucinha A; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  • Kærn M; Biochemistry Program, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
Front Bioeng Biotechnol ; 10: 1046723, 2022.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36440449
ABSTRACT
Post-secondary education is falling behind in delivering the talent and skills development needed to support the growth of biology-based economies and the demands of professional and research-based graduate degree programs. Here, we describe an applied research program, the BioExperience Research and Entrepreneurship Challenge, launched in May 2020 to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate experiential learning programs at the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The program provided undergraduates with meaningful talent and skills development opportunities by implementing a student-centred, project-based learning approach inspired by the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition. We present evidence from participant exit surveys suggesting that the program delivers a high-quality learning environment and improves learning outcomes compared to traditional work-integrated learning. Notably, 84% of respondents reported an excellent or exceptional learning experience and significant or profound improvements in skills, such as leadership (72% of respondents), problem-solving (42% of respondents) and research preparedness (52%) that are difficult to develop in conventional academic programs. Remarkably, 60% of respondents report that the job-readiness training provided by the program is better or much better than traditional work-integrated learning. Our study demonstrates that a cost-effective and scalable alternative to the iGEM competition can improve talent and skills development in BIOSTEM fields.
Palavras-chave

Texto completo: 1 Base de dados: MEDLINE Idioma: En Ano de publicação: 2022 Tipo de documento: Article

Texto completo: 1 Base de dados: MEDLINE Idioma: En Ano de publicação: 2022 Tipo de documento: Article