The survey provides Amgen with valuable information on student engagement with the labs. It also helps us troubleshoot issues and improve the curriculum and labs, making them more tailored to better address student learning objectives.

Please fill the forms and email Vijayalakshmi Natarajan at vnatarajan@ccc.edu or Teesta Jain at tjain@ccc.edu.

Science is all about troubleshooting, and we are here to help! Please provide setup pictures, complete Form D, and submit the student surveys, and we will assist you in resolving the issue.

Unfortunately, dropping off the kit is not an option, as Form B specifies that you will be picking up the kits. Please feel free to email Vijayalakshmi Natarajan at vnatarajan@ccc.edu  or Teesta Jain at tjain@ccc.edu if you have any questions.

According to Form A, you are provided with three time slot options to pick up your kit, and we confirm a time slot three weeks in advance. However, we understand that plans can change, and we are happy to reschedule. Please email Teesta Jain at tjain@ccc.edu and also complete Form A.

According to Form C, the kit is expected to be returned in the same condition it was received. However, we understand that mistakes can happen in science. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Vijayalakshmi Natarajan at vnatarajan@ccc.edu or Teesta Jain at tjain@ccc.edu.

If you find that something is missing from the kit, please inform us as soon as possible. Send an email to Vijayalakshmi Natarajan at vnatarajan@ccc.edu or Teesta Jain at tjain@ccc.edu, detailing what is missing. We understand that mistakes can happen, and we will work with you to resolve the issue. Depending on the situation, we may arrange for a replacement or discuss the next steps to ensure the kit is complete for your work.

Currently, ABE-Harry S Truman College serves schools in Cook County.

The ABE program supports teachers in Chicago and the Greater Chicago area by offering an engaging, hands-on biotechnology lab curriculum. This curriculum connects biology and biotechnology concepts to real-world applications and aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Teachers receive professional development training that incorporates core technologies used by research scientists in the discovery and development of therapeutics. Trained teachers are provided with kits containing research-grade biotech equipment, supplies, reagents, and state-of-the-art multimedia resources, enabling them to conduct biotechnology lab experiments in their classrooms.

Students benefit from an immersive and inspiring learning experience, where they explore core scientific concepts using techniques employed by biotechnology researchers. This authentic learning approach links classroom education to practical, real-world applications.

Additionally, ABE site coordinators offer technical support and troubleshooting to ensure seamless curriculum implementation in classrooms. The entire ABE training is provided free of charge, funded by the Amgen Foundation and the Education Development Center.

The ABE curriculum is designed for high school and college students of all levels. Additionally, ABE offers introductory biotechnology labs specifically for middle school teachers. While most ABE-trained teachers utilize the curriculum in life science classes (e.g., CP, Honors, or AP Biology, and Biotechnology), some implement ABE labs in other science courses, such as chemistry or environmental science. Note: we do not generally serve students directly. (Please see related FAQ below.)

The ABE program primarily serves students indirectly through their teachers. Currently, we do not offer programs that directly teach ABE labs to students. If you are a student interested in biotechnology labs, real-world applications, and multidisciplinary careers, we encourage you to ask your teacher to participate in the ABE-Harry S Truman program. If your teacher chooses not to participate in ABE but you are still interested in biotechnology education and career exploration, please contact us. We may be able to guide you toward other opportunities.

The first step to becoming an "ABE teacher" is to attend an ABE training workshop. Due to high demand, interested teachers must apply to attend the workshops, as participation is not automatically guaranteed. Information about upcoming workshops and application links can be found on our "Workshops" page. To stay informed, you can contact us or complete our New Teacher Survey to be added to our interest list and receive announcements about future workshops. Once trained, you officially become an "ABE teacher" and gain access to borrow ABE kits. These kits include the equipment, supplies, and reagents needed to implement ABE labs in your classroom. To be eligible to implement ABE labs, you must: 1. Teach middle school, high school, and/or college students in a subject related to the ABE curriculum (e.g., biology, chemistry). 2. Have access to a suitable facility for conducting ABE labs (e.g., a laboratory classroom). 3. Be located within driving distance of one of ABE-TR college. 4. Be willing to drive to a center to pick up and return materials. Note: ABE-TR does not provide funding to compensate teachers for attending workshops or cover travel expenses.