The Biotech Enrichment Program

In 1996 BCDS opened the Clouse Biotechnology Laboratory as part of a science program in conjunction with the Boston University School of Medicine. Students in both the Middle and Upper School have the opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment while exploring scientific questions in the same manner as the professionals. 

The Biotechnology Enrichment Program is an Upper School Afternoon Program offered in the winter term to upper school students who are interested in learning about biotechnology research. This program is run in conjunction with the BCDS Science Olympiad Team Afternoon Program.

The Biotechnology Enrichment Program provides collaborative work for BCDS students in the modern laboratory. It explores many modern procedures including the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). Labs involve the isolation of human DNA, bacterial transformation, and protein fingerprinting. BCDS students become teachers as they work to show middle school students how to successfully run complicated lab procedures. All students participating in this program have the opportunity to compete in the Massachusetts Regional Science Olympiad competition and the National Science Olympiad competition, as well as the potential to become valuable contributors to the emerging future of biotechnology.