What is Science At Home?

The BTC Institute has created this Science At Home page for you to find quick and rewarding science activities. We’ve culled resources from all over the web so that you don’t have to! Check out a post coming soon that explains how we pick our content.

Let us know if we can help you find relevant and engaging science acitivities at info@btci.org!

We’ve selected these Science At Home resources because they are …

These courses for young scientists are designed by certified educators and take place in BTC Institute labs which are dedicated to training scientists of all ages. Peter Kritsch (Biology and Biotechnology Teacher, Oregon High School) and Ryan Olson. (Biotechnology Instructor, BTC Institute) serve as the primary instructors. For more detailed information, please contact btci@btci.org. Thanks!

CAMP BIOTECH I: THE WONDERS OF DNA

Dates: HELD: Monday, June 17 – Friday, June 21, 2019, 9am-3:30pm
Cost: $380 (included all materials; lunch and snacks; scholarships are available)

Want to know how scientists can determine who committed a crime from just a small blood sample or how genetic mutants might be made? You can satisfy your curiosity about these questions and more by attending CAMP BIOTECH ONE: THE WONDERS OF DNA.

This one week experience at the BTC Institute is for students entering 9th or 10th grade in fall semester 2019 who are interested learning more about DNA and genetic engineering. Students will build a DNA model, learn how to extract DNA from cells, transfer DNA into cells by heat shock transformation, amplify DNA to detect small quantities by PCR, and use restriction enzymes to identify DNA sequences. No prior DNA knowledge is necessary.

CAMP BIOTECH II: THE RETURN OF DNA

Dates: HELD: Monday, July 8 – Friday, July 12, 2019, 9am-3:30pm
Cost: $380 (included all materials; lunch and snacks; scholarships are available)

Ready for more genetic engineering? Can’t wait to get back in the lab after a great experience in Camp Biotech 1 last year? Have we got an opportunity for you — CAMP BIOTECH TWO: THE RETURN OF DNA. We will be creating genetically-engineered bacteria which glow in the dark, exploring the world of stem cells, using computers to analyze DNA sequences, and learning how to extract proteins from cells. Of course, it wouldn’t be Camp Biotech without plenty of guest speakers, fun games, and even a field trip to a research lab. We are looking forward to another great summer in 2019 and hope you can join us!

This one week experience at the BTC Institute is for students entering 10th grade in fall semester 2019 who have taken biology and are interested learning more about DNA and genetic engineering.

Catching A Rainbow

An outdoor activity

A rainbow is the result of reflection, refraction, and dispersion of sunlight.

Rainbow

Create an Aurora

An Art Project

An aurora (polar lights, northern lights, southern lights) is the result of charged particles from the sun colliding with particles from earth's atmosphere.

Aurora

Build A Solar Cooker

A Creative Challenge

A solar cooker uses heat from the sun to cook food.

Solar Cooker

Paper Plate Sun

An Art Project

Create a sunny face using your imagination or be inspired by images of the sun taken by the Parker Solar Probe!

Sun Plate