MdBioLab is a custom-built mobile bioscience laboratory that provides a compelling learning environment, centered on inquiry-based laboratory experiences. A modified tractor-trailer outfitted with advanced laboratory equipment, this laboratory accommodates up to 32 students, their teacher and two mobile laboratory instructors. There are working stations equipped with centrifuges, pipettes, electrophoresis supplies, and other equipment. The instructor’s station is outfitted with a camera that can transmit to LCD screens at the front and back of the trailer to ease viewing of instructions. The mobile lab is self-sufficient with its own water supply, electricity, heating, and cooling.
The program primarily serves high school students and their teachers throughout the state of Maryland. In addition to increasing science literacy, MdBioLab focuses on student awareness of career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Their cutting-edge curriculum is presented by experienced scientist and incorporates the use of research-grade equipment while aligning with the Maryland State Department of Education Core Learning Goals for science.
MdBioLab’s instructors work closely with each classroom educator to ensure an age-appropriate experience that is relevant to the students’ lives, while achieving classroom goals and requirements. This includes providing instruction, equipment, reagents and supplies for all activities while ensuring that each educator is comfortable with the concepts and theories as well as the equipment and laboratory activity itself.
Trailer Specifics
The MdBioLab is a modified Great Dane tractor-trailer that is 45 feet long, 162 inches tall with an exterior width of 96 inches. The Gross Vehicle Weight is 44,000 pounds. The trailer is equipped with two 10 Kw Onan Quiet-Diesel generators, two doors for entry/exit, a handicap lift, four sinks (with a 60 gallon water supply tank), refrigerator, freezer, heating and cooling, and a camera station that projects to the LCD screens. The trailer was up fitted by OBS, Inc. in Canton, OH.
Who & Why
The MdBioLab program was launched in the spring of 2003. Each year, the mobile lab travels to up to 30 different high schools throughout the State of Maryland and the mobile nature of the program has allowed us to reach an extraordinary number of students. To date, over 40,000 students have participated in bioscience laboratory activities on board the MdBioLab. During the summer MdBioLab reaches even more students through participation in career and science camps for middle and high school students and trains more than 100 teachers at the Maryland State Department of Education Governor’s Academy for Science.
MdBioLab is a program of the MdBio Foundation is a private non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the growth of bioscience in Maryland through a variety of programs, with a special emphasis on education, training, and communications. The MdBio Foundation accomplishes this through a diverse set of programs, including the MdBioLab (a mobile laboratory experience offered to high school students in Maryland), bioscience industry awards, a business development program, and networking events. Together, these programs work to advance the current bioscience community in Maryland, as well as educate and inform the next generation of the bioscience workforce.
Operating Budget
The trailer was an initial investment of $500,000 including curriculum development, equipment, reagents and supplies, the trailer cost, and the up fit costs. The program operates on an annual budget of $342,000, which includes two full time instructors.
The program primarily serves high school students and their teachers throughout the state of Maryland. In addition to increasing science literacy, MdBioLab focuses on student awareness of career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Their cutting-edge curriculum is presented by experienced scientist and incorporates the use of research-grade equipment while aligning with the Maryland State Department of Education Core Learning Goals for science.
MdBioLab’s instructors work closely with each classroom educator to ensure an age-appropriate experience that is relevant to the students’ lives, while achieving classroom goals and requirements. This includes providing instruction, equipment, reagents and supplies for all activities while ensuring that each educator is comfortable with the concepts and theories as well as the equipment and laboratory activity itself.
Trailer Specifics
The MdBioLab is a modified Great Dane tractor-trailer that is 45 feet long, 162 inches tall with an exterior width of 96 inches. The Gross Vehicle Weight is 44,000 pounds. The trailer is equipped with two 10 Kw Onan Quiet-Diesel generators, two doors for entry/exit, a handicap lift, four sinks (with a 60 gallon water supply tank), refrigerator, freezer, heating and cooling, and a camera station that projects to the LCD screens. The trailer was up fitted by OBS, Inc. in Canton, OH.
Who & Why
The MdBioLab program was launched in the spring of 2003. Each year, the mobile lab travels to up to 30 different high schools throughout the State of Maryland and the mobile nature of the program has allowed us to reach an extraordinary number of students. To date, over 40,000 students have participated in bioscience laboratory activities on board the MdBioLab. During the summer MdBioLab reaches even more students through participation in career and science camps for middle and high school students and trains more than 100 teachers at the Maryland State Department of Education Governor’s Academy for Science.
MdBioLab is a program of the MdBio Foundation is a private non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the growth of bioscience in Maryland through a variety of programs, with a special emphasis on education, training, and communications. The MdBio Foundation accomplishes this through a diverse set of programs, including the MdBioLab (a mobile laboratory experience offered to high school students in Maryland), bioscience industry awards, a business development program, and networking events. Together, these programs work to advance the current bioscience community in Maryland, as well as educate and inform the next generation of the bioscience workforce.
Operating Budget
The trailer was an initial investment of $500,000 including curriculum development, equipment, reagents and supplies, the trailer cost, and the up fit costs. The program operates on an annual budget of $342,000, which includes two full time instructors.
