Volume 5, Issue 2
Note from the directors
We are grateful for the generous support of our extended BTI community. Thank you to our parent volunteers on the development committee, the mentors who share their time and expertise with our juniors, the sophomore symposium speakers who help ignite our students’ passion for science, those who are working on the return of industry field trips, and to the many friends of BTI who have contributed to the program in a multitude of ways.
The BTI team would also like to express deep gratitude for the Carlmont Academic Foundation. Many of the opportunities that BTI students enjoy are directly related to the work and funds CAF has generated in their partnership with BTI.
The Carlmont Academic Foundation is in their Fall Call To Action, and Giving Tuesday is November 30th. Please consider donating generously to CAF. Thanks to CAF, you can designate up to 90% of your contribution to BTI. Our goal is to raise $49,000 this year, which will ensure that Carlmont is able to dedicate two sections of Biotechnology 3-4 specifically for BTI students and that we can cover the cost of our mentor program.
You might also check with your employers to see if they participate in donation matching or are open to providing a donation to the BTI program. One parent wrote a letter to their corporate office with supporting information, including a link to the newsletter, and was able to secure a $2000 to $3000 donation each year. It is usually the combination of corporate and family donations that allows us to meet our financial goal each year. Thank you!
BTI Club
Four BTI seniors have taken the initiative to continue the student-driven BTI Club. Their goal is to create a closer connection between the different grade levels in the program. Next semester, they will launch a buddy system, matching each participating sophomore with a senior who will support them through the rest of their first year in the program. They also plan to invite guest speakers to Zoom in during lunch and will organize interactive science activities. The BTI Club dates back to the program’s first cohort, and these leaders are excited to keep the club tradition alive and, before they graduate, hope to pass the baton to younger peers.
BTI Junior Attends Bioengineering day at UC Berkeley
On November 6, I attended the Bioengineering day at UC Berkeley, put together by the Bioengineering Honor Society.
There were three parts to the program. Starting with a microfluidics workshop, undergrad members of the Society briefly explained the principles of microfluidics: manipulating and controlling small groups of cells or even single cells and their environment to elicit specific results. We built a simple working model on a macro scale, a machine to sort marbles, ping-pong balls, and paper clips. It was fun! Then, we had an undergrad panel discussion covering their journeys through college. They shared their experiences and recommendations, emphasizing the importance of internships at startups and research labs. Last, we did the lab tour. A kind Ph.D. candidate showed us around the lab he worked in. He showed us their expensive microscopes in the office (ranging from $10k to $300k!!!). He also showed us the standard supplies they use every day. It was cool to see that their equipment was virtually identical to the equipment we use in class, such as micropipettes, parafilm, and beakers.
My key takeaways from the session are:
- There are research lab opportunities offered to high school students
- Some cool competitions include the Bioengineering Honor Society’s competition for high school students
- I should always jump on opportunities like this, as there’s so much to learn
Warm regards,
DM
Five seniors visited Genentech
Mentor Breakfast
Big thank you to Mr. Fabic for finding stellar mentors for each of our juniors! There was a beautiful hum in the room as mentors and mentees met for the first time on November 15.
What the juniors have to say
What you are looking forward to from your mentor experience?
I am super excited to learn more about how Biotech companies work and especially a specific job that my mentor does in that industry! DB
Networking and learning more about the biotech field as well as opportunities to broaden my experience. SH
Learning more about the path my mentor took through education to get to his career. DE
I’m looking forward to the expertise and wisdom they can bestow. They have life experience in the field that I potentially want to go into. I want ask questions like, How was college? And what is your day-to-day workload? HJO
I'm looking forward to meeting more people in the field and learning about the reality of working in a biotech company. GK
What is one positive experience you have had in the BTI community?
Teachers. Taking courses together. The sense of community between cohorts. BTI is like an honors college for high school. AL
I have enjoyed getting to form a closer relationship with my classmates! RC
The way we worked together as a team and supported each other during the Frankenstein trial was one example of how close-knitted BTI students really are. DB
The sense of community between peers. EC
I really enjoy how we get to do all of these fun labs and the BTI community is very welcoming. KF
Slime time
A fall favorite just in time for Halloween! BTI students came in droves to make slime, and Ms. Abdilla bought 40 pounds of candy!
Pie Feast
Culinary creativity abounds at the BTI Pie Feast!
Save the date - upcoming events
- November 30: First BTI Club Meeting, lunch U21
- December 2: BTI Club: Cookie Decorating, lunch, U21
- December 7: BTI Club: Stress Ball Making, lunch, U21
- December 15: BTI Study Night, 5:00–7:00 PM in U21. Bring $5 for pizza. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
- February 10: Sophomore Symposium
- April 21: Senior Bonding Day
- May 12: Thank-Your-Mentor Breakfast
- June 7: BTI Graduation in the Performing Arts Center, 6:30 PM
contact information
- Directors of BTI: Ms. Abdilla at jabdilla@seq.org and Ms. Gold at sgold@seq.org
- Mentor Coordinator: Mr. Fabic at ocortez@seq.org
- Senior Parent Class Rep - Contact the directors if you would like to be a senior class rep.
- Junior Parent Class Rep - Lisa Wong – land.lisaw@gmail.com
- Sophomore Parent Class Rep - Shirley Chan – shirleyrd1@gmail.com