About Us

Two researchers

History

Alaska BioPREP began in 2008 and is currently funded by a National Institutes of Health Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA).  A large part of the BioPREP initiative evolved out of the Alaska Rural Research Partnership (ARRP), a six-year pilot program that began in 2001 on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. AARP brought real-world science applications to the rural high school classroom.  The ARRP pilot program involved 90 students and 7 schools. While building on the goals of ARRP, Alaska BioPREP has expanded its reach to include 23 high schools, 25 teachers, and over 700 participating students!

Currently, BioPREP is composed of three programs targeting middle and high school students and teachers throughout Alaska:

  • Alaska Summer Research Academy (ASRA) Biomedicine module
  • Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI) Research
  • Training Institute for Partnerships in Science (TIPS) for Teachers

Mission

The Alaska Biomedical Partnership for the Research and Education Pipeline (BioPREP) project is an effort to provide middle and high school teachers throughout Alaska with the necessary tools to integrate strong molecular biology and biotechnology components into their classrooms.  Alaska BioPREP strives to engage these students in cutting-edge scientific research in order to prepare them for the rigor of university-level scientific inquiry or the pursuit of a biomedical career.  By working directly with high school students and teachers, Alaska BioPREP strives to foster a safe, fulfilling, and academically enriching environment.

Program Participation

RAHI Research

Hometowns of RAHI research summer program participants from 2010 to 2013. 

TIPS for teachers

Towns with teachers currently taking part in the TIPS program.