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Frugal Science Academy: Training K-12 innovators and democratizing synthetic biology tools

Award Number: R25GM142044
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/16/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/28/2025

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Frugal Science Academy: Training K-12 innovators and democratizing synthetic biology tools - Project Summary/Abstract Given modern history’s advancements in molecular biology, from the exponential decrease in the costs of genome sequencing, nucleotide synthesis, and genome editing (CRISPR), synthetic biology is poised to be the next major revolution in technological advancements. The White House has recognized this trend in its 2019 Bioeconomy Summit, emphasizing the need for developing a robust bioeconomy and training the next generation workforce to carry it forward. However, research and education in synthetic biology has remained predominant in well-funded graduate research institutes with easy access to commercial equipment and training. Those in high schools and undergraduate pathways have not seen the same accessibility despite them being the prime target for advancement into research careers and extensive research indicates the value in diversification of the workforce. A key bottleneck for enabling hands-on training in synthetic biology is lack of affordable hardware, especially in budget-conscious high school laboratories. Recent initiatives in frugal science have attempted to address some of these bottlenecks with notable frugal inventions including the 20-cent paper centrifuge, 23-cent electroporator, and 1- dollar microscope, to name a few. The proposed work will develop a Frugal Science Academy, a first-of-its-kind, to i) train underrepresented groups (URM) in K-12 STEM to conduct their own research in synthetic/molecular biology by developing their own frugal tools and gain research experiences often exclusive to well-equipped universities, and ii) to develop professional development courses and bootcamps to train rural Georgia high-school teachers with frugal hardware to conduct their own molecular biology experiments and introduce synthetic biology components to their existing curricula. Overall, the success of the Frugal Science Academy will help introduce younger innovators and inventors to the rapidly expanding field of synthetic biology, empower them to conduct their own biomedical research and biological research by breaking down cost barriers using frugal equipment, and collaborate with teachers to begin a new widespread initiative of synthetic biology curricula in high school classrooms.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2024	GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORP	926 DALNEY ST NW	ATLANTA	GA	30318	FULTON	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	3	5/30/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $263,399 )
2024	2024	GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORP	926 DALNEY ST NW	ATLANTA	GA	30318	FULTON	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	3	9/9/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$263,399
														Subtotal = $263,399

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $266,655 )
2023	2023	GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION	926 DALNEY ST NW	ATLANTA	GA	30332	FULTON	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	2	9/5/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$266,655
														Subtotal = $266,655

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $270,000 )
2022	2022	GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION	926 DALNEY ST NW	ATLANTA	GA	30332	FULTON	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	9/16/2022	NEW	$270,000
														Subtotal = $270,000

Grand Total All Awards = $800,054

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Frugal Science Academy: Training K-12 innovators and democratizing synthetic biology tools

Award Number: R25GM142044

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/16/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/28/2025

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