GenomeGenius

According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Annual Report from 2019, only 29.3% of STEM federal workers were women, and only 25.9% of leaders in these fields were women, with numbers for women of color and other minorities following the same patterns. Any attempts to solve this issue have primarily been topical. While often helpful, the impact of programs for gender equity is far more significant when they address a root cause. One core influence driving this underrepresentation lies in the high rates of scientific illiteracy within marginalized communities. Civil scientific literacy is only 28% in the united states as of 2016, and the percentage of scientifically literate women is even less. To address this, we need to look to the scientific education all children in the united states are ensured and address its obvious failures.

GenomeGenius is a complete, adaptable curriculum designed for empowered teachers to educate their students in ways current districts are failing. The course requires no prerequisites and gives students an education in cell biology, heredity and genetics, chemical reactions, laboratory skills, scientific ethics, and genetic engineering. The course consists of lesson content, outlined activities to deepen learning, pre-written assessments, group projects, various hands-on lab-based activities, and opportunities for differentiation based on student levels. Applying to PA educational standards, the course can be run as an elective course for credit in state, or camp, after-school activity, club, etc.

Compared to programs that may introduce students to the STEM sphere, GenomeGenius gives students an opportunity to explore their STEM interests and inspires them to pursue careers via education, not only exposure. We make sure to highlight diverse scientists when teaching about STEM history and fields, including many women, to encourage young women through representation to bridge the gender gap in STEM. 

While GenomeGenius can be implemented with any 6th - 12th-grade students in any district, the course is intended to serve underprivileged communities and those marginally affected by scientific illiteracy, specifically women and minorities. Students, teachers, and supporting school administrators are encouraged to give feedback on their experience with the course. Any underperformance trends on assessments would indicate a need for coursework improvement.

As a student myself, I have been incredibly fortunate to receive a private education that has encouraged my love for STEM and genetic engineering. I know many students personally, and many more indirectly, who are suffering from the underperformance of their school systems, particularly in the Philidelphia area. GenomeGenius is closely tied to these students and their teachers by constantly improving its curriculum and making new partnerships where we see fit. Between feedback and inquired statistics GenomeGenius is responsive to the needs of its students and teachers. 

Additionally, GenomeGenius intends to provide equipment grants to qualified schools to complete the course in its entirety. Roughly 60% of this initial cost provides equipment the school can reutilize for future GenomeGenius classes or other scientific purposes.  

The content of the curriculum is completed, and the first pilot run is being held at The Grayson School June 16-30th with 16 Philidelphia area children from 6th - 8th grade.

Additionally, the application for a 501 classification is being reviewed, though the current organization is held under the non-profit The Grayson School.

The opportunity to participate in the SOLVE support program would be unmeasurably helpful in scaling and improving GenomeGenius to reach as many students and school districts as possible. Being my first large-scale business venture, working with experienced mentors and alongside inspiring peers would provide me with the resources needed to develop the program, and having the best associations possible during the early stages of GenomeGenius’s launch would benefit the program and all those involved. 

As a high school student living in the general vicinity of Philidelphia, I have been fortunate to receive an excellent education. Still, I know of many in my community who have not. I am an aspiring woman in STEM, and I hope to bring the same passions to other children. 

GenomeGenius is different because it connects teachers and students, and educates directly rather than providing mismanaged funds or giving students field trips and other STEM exposure. GenomeGenius works with the teachers, giving them the tools to help the students they work with, rather than a disconnected 3rd party. Due to this, the experience is more catered to the community or individual student, and their learnings are only the beginning of a plethora of advanced sciences they now have to tools to learn and understand. GenomeGenius also intends to have separate benefits, such as giving students, especially young girls, a place to be safe within their communities and continue to grow, and culture better connections with teachers.

We look to have at least 5-10 schools using GenomeGenius in the near future. 

While the course does not require this technology to be used, there is a focus on CRISPR, including an option for students to preform their own genetic engineering experiments on ecoli.

Currently, it is solely my project, Morgan Burns, though several of my advisors have given me guidance and other assistance. 

Morgan Burns - since late 2021

As GenomeGenius grows, we are incredibly dedicated to encouraging diversity on our team. We understand how crucial it is to have a variety of different people on a team to hear and understand all positions and keep diversity as one of our top priorities in the future.

Additionally, providing GenomeGenius to diverse areas is essential for addressing scientific illiteracy. 

The overhead for GenomeGenius is predicted to be relatively less than other similar programs due to its nature. However, funds are predicted to come through grants and were hopeful to create partnerships with related corporations looking to support STEM education and women in STEM.

We have received $15,000 in donations and are currently waiting on a response from a recently pitched foundation.