Great Bay Community College Hosts Biotech Summer Research Camp

College hosted high school teachers, students for program

STRATHAM — BioConnectNH recently hosted its second annual Biotech Summer Research Camp bringing together six high school teachers and six students from around the state to Great Bay Community College where they had the opportunity to advance their knowledge and experience in the growing field of biotechnology.

"I recently graduated from a small high school where the resources were limited," student Jennifer Gray said. "I left feeling almost unprepared for college due to lack of experience, particularly with laboratory equipment.

"I plan on attending Boston University in the fall majoring in biology and the BioConnectNH program allowed for me to gain knowledge with top of the line equipment, giving me the leverage I needed in order to compete in my classes. It boosted my confidence in completing laboratory experiments, and gave me the hands on experience I was in need of."

Prior to arriving at Great Bay Community College, the students proposed an area of study which built on biotech basics learned in their high school classes. During the week, students worked with their high school teachers and faculty from Great Bay, using the college's state-of-the-art equipment to pursue and further execute their proposal. The goal of the research camp was to increase the biotechnology knowledge of the students and teachers; increase the teachers' classroom skills and introduce students to the career options available to them in the biotechnology industry.

BioConnectNH provides training to upgrade the skills of existing workers and new entry level workers, and to create a career pathway for students at high school and college to easily move toward rewarding careers in the life sciences. BioConnectNH invests in the key areas of high school and community college capacity building, industry-driven workforce training, and works to connect employers, students and workers and develop the infrastructure needed to nourish growth in the NH biotech sector. BioConnectNH is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

For more information, visit www.ms.nhctc.edu/BioConnectNH.