2+2+2 Pipeline

MCC has been awarded a 3 year, $900,000 NSF grant to spearhead the development of a 2+2+2 Biotechnology Pipeline. Partnering with Mesa Public Schools and Arizona State University Polytechnic, the grant strives to integrate biotechnology education across different institutions using research based curriculum. Students present the results of their research at the MCC Symposium held annually each spring.

A major component of the pipeline project is to provide training and access to laboratory equipment for high school instructors seeking to introduce, or expand their biotechnology curriculum. For these individuals, MCC holds a 1 week teacher training workshop during the summer. Advanced and beginner level workshops are available. Instructors receive a stipend for their participation in the workshop. Those who complete the workshop may check out molecular biology equipment from our Mobile Lab to bring implementation of their training into the classroom.

MCC is partnering with area high schools by offering dual enrollment for an introductory biotechnology course. The course is offered at area high schools. Students in the course can apply for enrollment into the MCC course BIO 107 Introduction to Biotechnology. Upon completion of their high school course students receive 4 units of credit at MCC.

To further smooth the transition between high school and college, MCC offers a Biotechnology Scholarship for students who are enrolled in our dual enrollment biotechnology course. Scholarship recipients receive a tuition waiver for either BIO 181 General Biology (Majors) or CHM 130 Fundamental Chemistry (including the lab component). High school students may take these courses during the spring semester of their senior year.