Biotechnology: Engineering Biology with Polymers (Grades 9-12)

Ever wondered how scientists can create new tissues, deliver life-saving drugs, or even use tiny enzymes to clean up pollution? It's all thanks to the amazing world of polymers! Polymers are long chains of repeating molecules, kind of like the beads on a candy necklace. In this hands-on experience, you will discover how polymers are being used to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. Learn how polymers are being used to carry medicine directly to where it’s needed in the body. Create polymer scaffolds that support tissue healing and re-growth. Attach tiny enzymes (nature’s catalysts) to polymers to create micro-factories that help us make medicines, fuel, and even food in a sustainable manner. Get ready to experiment with all this technology in a university lab. You'll even get to try scaling up production in bioreactors, just like scientists do in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Plus, you'll hear from real-world chemical and biological engineers about careers in this exciting field.