Entering 10 – 12

Biotech Engineering and Innovations in Genetics

Are you curious about the future of gene editing? Discover the exciting field of biotechnology and learn how scientists are using a new technology called CRISPR to change organisms’ genes accurately and efficiently. These innovations in biotechnology seek to solve many of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as curing diseases and creating crops that are more resilient to the effects of climate change. Together, we’ll explore the science behind gene editing, use CRISPR to edit genes in bacteria, and examine the complex ethical questions this innovative technology raises. You will gain skills and knowledge about genetics and biotechnology while adding valuable experience to your college and career pathways.

Parents are invited at 3 p.m. on the last day for teens to share their projects.

Program Info

Session 1 is intended for teens with and without prior high school biology coursework. Content will move at a pace that supports learners who have not had previous high school biology coursework. Sessions 2 and 4 are intended for teens with some prior high school biology coursework. Content will move at a slightly faster pace, which may leave time for additional experiments.

Food: Lunch is provided. Teens bring a water bottle and snacks from home.
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday
Location: UC Berkeley
Tuition: $1,465.00
Seeking Financial Aid? Learn More >

Session 1: 06/23/2025 – 06/27/2025
No Residential Option

Session 2: 07/07/2025 – 07/11/2025
Optional Residential Add-on runs Sunday, July 6, 5:00 p.m. to Friday, July 11, 5:00 p.m. Residential add-on includes additional programming, on-campus housing, breakfast, and dinner. Limited spots available!
Residential Tuition: $1,255

Session 4: 07/21/2025 – 07/25/2025
Optional Residential Add-on runs Sunday, July 20, 5:00 p.m. to Friday, July 25, 5:00 p.m. Residential add-on includes additional programming, on-campus housing, breakfast, and dinner. Limited spots available!
Residential Tuition: $1,255

Sample Day

7:30 a.m.

Wake-up for residential teens!  Residential teens enjoy breakfast & walk together to campus

9:00 a.m.

All teens sign in with instructors
Welcome activities and icebreakers
Opening Circle- group check-in and framing the day
Explore STEM concepts and hands-on investigations in your track
Mid-morning break with teens from other tracks
Hands-on investigations and exploration cont.

11:45 a.m.

Lunch break in campus cafeteria Social time with teens from other tracks

12:45 p.m.

Continued investigations and explorations in your track
Various lab tours and guest speakers
Afternoon break with teens from other tracks
Closing Circle- reflection prompts and preview of what’s ahead

 4:00 p.m.

College Pathways Programming
Campus or other tours 
Meet and talk to current college students 
Meet and talk to professionals from a range of STEM career fields

 5:00 p.m.

Commuter teens sign out with instructors
Residential teens walk together to dorms and enjoy some well deserved downtime 

 6:30 p.m.

Dinner
Evening program 
Free time

10:00 p.m.

Lights Out!

Activity Highlights

  • Practice sterile technique
  • Restriction enzyme mapping 
  • Gel electrophoresis 
  • Bacterial transformation using plasmid DNA 
  • Gene editing with CRISPR
  • Discuss and debate the ethics of various gene editing applications
  • Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR)
  • Meet with scientists from the Innovative Genomics Institute
  • Meet and mix with teens across other STEM tracks
  • Meet and talk to students and STEM career professionals
  • Project presentations and certificates

Unlocking the Code of Life: Exploring the Future of Biotech Genetics!

Staff Bios

Claire Andrade

Claire is a deep sea ecologist and science educator who is passionate about environmental justice activism, political ecology, and equitable community outreach programming. She received her B.S. in oceanography from Oregon State University, completing fellowships at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She went on to work at Boston University as the manager for Dr. Jeffrey Marlow’s Geomicrobiology Lab, and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in environmental sociology.

Claire grew up in the Bay Area with strong ties to farmworker rights activism in Stockton, CA. She enjoys watching movies with friends, making clay creatures, and thrifting.

Falcon Soedarsono

Falcon is a first year PhD student in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering working under Professor Jay Keasling. His research focuses on developing novel pathways using polyketide synthases (PKSs) to produce non-canonical amino acids. He received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry from University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2022. He spent 2 years working in the bio-pharmaceutical industry with AstraZeneca, before ending up deciding to go back to school for his PhD. 

Falcon grew up in Indonesia, and in his spare time he loves to explore coffee shops around the area.

Gean Hu

Gean Hu is an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley studying Bioengineering and Computer Science, with a minor in STEM education. Outside of school, she uses yeast models and computational biology techniques to research protein interactions and is a casual video game enjoyer.

Germaine Mottershead

Germaine is a graduating Senior at UC Berkeley studying Genetics and Plant Biology. Their strong interests in pedagogy and high-quality inclusive education inform how they approach being a student as well as their long-term career goals. 

Germaine’s ideal Sunday would include visiting a park or beach and making food with friends.

May Cho

May Cho is a graduating senior at UC Berkeley, majoring in Nutritional Sciences. She is aspiring to become a registered dietitian and hoping to specialize in eating disorders or sports nutrition.  Throughout her years at Cal, May has worked as a resident assistant, worked at UCSF, and volunteered at local schools and food pantries. 

May is originally from Myanmar but grew up in San Francisco and in her free time, she enjoys reading, going to concerts, and trying new cafes!

Phoebe Hall

Phoebe is a biologist from Santa Cruz, California. She graduated from the University of Chicago in 2022, worked for a Bay Area biotech startup, and will be starting her PhD in fall 2025. 

Outside of science, she loves hiking and ultimate frisbee!