Biotech Teacher Training Initiative (BTTI)
Professional Development for Science Teachers
Georgia Life Sciences’ Biotech Teacher Training Initiative (BTTI) offers hands-on, immersive science- related professional development for Georgia teachers. Curriculum is built to highlight and leverage the biotechnology that exists within traditional science courses, including biology and AP biology, chemistry and AP chemistry, physics, environmental biology, agriculture and horticulture, physical sciences, and life sciences.
We work with educators to help them prepare to implement skills, concepts, and techniques that are relevant in the modern industry as part of their current lesson plan. Examples include lab safety, pipetting, aseptic technique, chromatography, electrophoresis, solutions and dilutions, Central Dogma, and PCR.
Biotech Infusion Workshops
This workshop series is composed of four two-hour virtual sessions and one in-person session. During Biotech Infusion, we explore basic biotech concepts that exist across standard science disciplines, with a focus on implementing career-relevant laboratory activities into middle and high school science and CTAE courses. Teachers are provided the necessary equipment to complete one lab from the workshop with all sections of one course and receive ongoing supply and curriculum support.
Fall 2025/Spring 2026 Schedule:
Virtual workshops (Tuesdays 4:15 to 6:15 on Zoom):
• September 16th
• September 23rd
• September 30th
• October 7th
In-person workshop:
• Friday, January 23rd 8 am to 4 pm and Saturday, January 24th, 8 am to 1 pm
• At Central Georgia Technical College Macon Campus
Registration for Biotech Infusion is now open!
Click here to learn more and register.
Program Impact
To learn more about BTTI opportunities, please contact Megan Heaphy.
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Georgia Life Sciences has been instrumental in my success as an instructor in teaching biotechnology. When Biotechnology was introduced into the GA Board of Education Curriculum, South Cobb High School was the pilot school for the county. Not only did Georgia Bio guide and advise me, but I also knew if I had a problem, it could be easily solved with the personnel in the organization. This along with the Visiting Scientist program and making classes available to instructors was crucial in achieving a successful program in the state of Georgia.
Ellen Katzowitz
Retired biotechnology teacher and 2013 Biotechnology Teacher of the Year
Ways for industry to get involved
Share your hiring needs
Provide a list of skills your company looks for when hiring entry-level employees. We would prefer a list of science skills, but would also like to know about the top soft skills that your company needs. Entry-level job descriptions would be helpful. Your contributions will drive the training curriculum.
Donate materials
The Equipment Depot can take in any equipment or unused disposable items that your business would otherwise throw away. The disposable items can be outside of their expiration date, if applicable. We will in turn donate these materials to the teachers, so that they can be used in their classrooms. If there are larger pieces of equipment (freezers, incubators, centrifuges, etc.), we can notify teachers to schedule pickup with your company.
