State College of Florida, local high schools partner to conduct biotech experiments

MANATEE -- Each "lab in a box" in James Byrne's biology classroom at Bayshore High School contains more than $10,000 in equipment, a cost the high school level teacher said he could never cover on his own.

Through a partnership with State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, which brought the kits and four of its biotechnology students, Byrne's sophomore biology students were able to use the equipment for a hands-on genetic transformation experiment Tuesday.

"This makes it a lot more fun instead of just writing it down on paper," said 15-year-old Logan Hone, a student in Byrne's class.

The 4-year-old Biotechnology Alliance for Suncoast Biology Educators has worked with more than 2,000 high schools students in Manatee and Sarasota counties. SCF students enrolled in the biotechnology program serve as ambassadors working with students on the experiments.

The experiment dealt with transforming bacteria by introducing a gene from a jellyfish. After instructions from Byrne and watching a SCF-produced video on the experiment, students split into groups and worked with SCF students on the experiment.

For 27-year-old Matt Britten, a 2005 Bayshore High School graduate, it was a special opportunity. When Britten was a Bayshore student, such science class opportunities didn't exist.

"We didn't have anything this advanced," he said.

Working with high school students helps expose them to higher learning and gives Britten more time

to work in his field, which he said he is passionate about. Britten will finish his biotechnology degree in December.

"We only get to do this once in the lab, so this is more experience for me, too," he said.

Byrne said hands-on labs add a new dimension for students, and may help pique their interests in the sciences as a future.

Having college students in the classroom with his students is also a special opportunity, he said. For some, it may be the first time they've considered college, Byrne said.

"I overhear them talk about it and ask questions," he said.

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter @MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published April 8, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "State College of Florida, local high schools partner to conduct biotech experiments ."