Welcome to BioJam
A BioEngineering/BioMaterial Teen Camp
Pilot program: August 13th-August 16th, 2019
Shriram Center for Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering, Stanford University

What?

Why?
A 4 day workshop specifically designed for teen girls that introduces them to principles of bioengineering and biomaterial design, with a focus on how might we incorporate cultural context and design accessible projects for community engagement. The days will be divided into halves, with the first half of the day focused on hands-on bioengineering science and the second half of the day focused on hands-on biomaterial design explorations. Explored bio materials will include mycelium (with a range of waste stream substrates), bacterial cellulose and bioplastics.

Day four is devoted to student brainstorming on an accessible community bioengineering/biomaterial activity. Teens start to imagine explorations that start conversations with broader audiences about synthetic biology, biomaterials and circular design.
  • Engage teens in explorative biodesign as a platform for them to share and connect to broader communities in biodesign conversations.
  • Create a model for university/high school mentorship that results in further collaborations with education departments of science museums.
  • Create a framework for how science can be shared with under resourced communities using a framing that is mindful of equity, access and anchoring to culture.
  • Put into action the goals and ideas generated at the Learn.Design.Compute symposium
  • Seed potential Biodesign Challenge teams.​

VISION

BioJam’s vision is to create bioengineering and biomaterial design programming that empowers teens while expanding their knowledge, confidence and curiosity as they learn and create workshops for their own communities.