Biodesign Challenge 2024
Classroom Resources Page
Welcome instructors!
We're excited that your classroom will be joining us this year. As you know, Biodesign Challenge (BDC) offers students the opportunity to envision the future of biotechnology in a competition that highlights their work.
Over Spring Semester 2024, classrooms of students from around the world will partner with biologists and subject-matter experts to explore novel uses of biotech and/or their potential implications. In June, each school will choose one team to showcase a project at the BDC Summit at Parsons School of Design and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
The information below includes resources and important dates to help you plan your course as well as a to-do list to help you organize your class. We ask that you read through this material carefully as there are quite a few tasks to complete that will allow our team to effectively support you.
Staff
Please feel free to contact BDC staff at any time. We are available to give feedback on student projects throughout the semester, but request that meetings be scheduled two weeks in advance.
Veena Vijayakumar, Interim Executive Director
vvijayakumar(at)biodesignchallenge(dot)orgMichael Balangue, Program Manager
mbalangue(at)biodesignchallenge(dot)org
To-Do List
Accept Canvas invite. In order to provide resources to you, BDC uses an online platform called Canvas. You will receive a separate email from “Canvas Instructure” asking you to sign up. Please note that your role will be "student."
Watch the Canvas Tutorial Video. Canvas is our main channel for communication during the Challenge, so we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible. If you need help with signing up or navigating Canvas, we've created a short tutorial that introduces the platform and resources stored there.
Complete Class Description and Theme Form. We require instructors to complete a short form for our staff to better understand the course and match you with appropriate resources and expert consultants. Once the form is submitted, we can suggest resources that are relevant to your theme and begin pairing you with an expert (in science, design, ethics, etc.).
Send Michael your students’ names and emails. To give students access to the BDC Canvas page, we need their names and emails. Once your semester begins and you know your roster, please send this information as soon as possible! You can email Michael at mbalangue@biodesignchallenge.org.
Haven’t taught a BDC class before? Watch the Curriculum Development video and schedule a check-in call with us! We've created a curriculum development video (you must be logged into Canvas to view this link) that gives an overview of our resources and highlights notable readings. Once you review this video, you’re welcome to schedule a time with us to discuss your syllabus.
Check out the updated prizes and judging process. We’ve made some changes which you can find on the Prizes page and the Judging Rubric page or in their respective sections below. There are relevant updates especially for instructors who have participated in previous years and/or those who will be participating virtually.
Introduce yourself on the BDC Instructor Slack group! The Slack group serves as a communication platform and directory of past and present BDC instructors. We would like for the Slack group to serve as a resource for instructors to connect with each other, share ideas, and provide examples of curricula.
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This section includes important dates and deadlines during the Fall Semester 2023 and Spring Semester 2024. Please note that some of these dates are subject to change - we ask that you refer to this page frequently for the most up to date information.
FALL AND WINTER 2023
September 20: Regular registration opens
As soon as possible: Instructors who would like mentor and curriculum support should complete the 2024 Course Description and Theme Form. BDC staff uses data from this form to match your class with relevant resources and expert consultants. The sooner you complete this form, the more time we have to spend on your classroom! Latest date to complete the form: February 21st at 5pm Eastern Time (please email Michael if you need an extension).
September - December: Scheduled curriculum check-in sessions for new instructors (please email Michael to set up an appointment)
SPRING 2024
January - February: Continuing scheduled curriculum check-in sessions for new instructors (please email Michael to set up an appointment)
January - March: BDC 2024 Classes begin
February 14: Syllabus (optional) + names and emails of participating students due – It is recommended that instructors send students emails sooner so we can give them Canvas access
February 21: Last chance for instructors to submit 2024 Course Description and Theme Form to receive support for their classroom
March - April: BDC 2024 Webinar Series
Engaging with Emerging Tech in Biodesign [PUBLIC] — Mischa Kuma
Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 12-1pm ET
Biodesign for Healthcare: A Primer [PUBLIC] — Neil Bretaña
Thursday, March 21st, 2024 5-6pm ET
Developing Sustainable Biomaterials in Academia — Fiona Bell
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 12-1pm ET
The Politics of Biodesign — Ollie Cotsaftis
Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 5-6pm ET
Cultivating a Bioart Practice [PUBLIC] — Angela McQuillan and Nora Gibson
Friday, April 19th, 2024 12-1pm ET
March 26-27: Mid-Challenge Check-ins (BDC staff will send out an email ahead of time with instructions)
April 17: Deadline for teams to declare their intent to compete for the Sponsored Prize track: the 2024 Science Sandbox Prize for Public Engagement
May 8: Deadline to submit projects to the Sponsored Prize track. Teams who declared intent in April can submit anything they've created thus far that can give the judges an idea of their intentions and aspirations for their project. For example: a 1-2 paragraph description of the project, any illustrations the team has created, photographs of their process, and renderings or prototypes they've started on are all acceptable submission materials. Please submit materials to info@biodesignchallenge.org or upload to the BDC Google Drive folder for your school.
May 17: Finalists for Science Sandbox Prize notified of selection
May 28, 5pm ET: Deadline to submit Non-Finalist Student Projects to BDC
Non-Finalist Teams – those who will not be presenting at the Summit – should submit any materials they've created throughout the semester to the BDC team by uploading materials to the provided Google Drive School Folder. These materials will be added to your school's page on the BDC website for posterity. Please follow this link to submit your materials - directions to submit are clearly laid out in the form.
May 28, 5pm ET: Deadline to submit Finalist Team images (to be featured in BDC social and promotional materials). Please email info@biodesignchallenge.org with any photos, illustrations, or renderings you'd like to see featured. You can submit materials by uploading to the provided Google Drive School Folder.
June 3, 5pm ET: Deadline to Submit Digital Submission + In-person Finalist Team Files (late submissions will not be accepted)
Finalist Team Presentations and Video File Submissions due (no exceptions). Teams are required to upload their final presentations to their provided Google Drive School Folder in either PPT or Keynote with separate video files.
Digital Submission finalists will submit a 7-10 minute video to their provided Google Drive School Folder in lieu of a presentation. Finalist teams are highly encouraged to create a 2-3 minute "teaser video" to aid in the judging process.
Please note that video files will have no audio if they are included in an in-person presentation at the Summit. A Finalist Submission Form link will be added here in late April.
June 11-12: Students to come in for Gallery Exhibition setup
June 12: BDC Symposium 2024
June 13-14: BDC Summit 2024 + Gallery Exhibition in New York
June 15: Farewell Activities, Instructor Feedback Session, BDC Community Excursions
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This section includes all the resources BDC offers during the Challenge. We ask that you look through these carefully and reach out to the BDC staff with any questions. It is not required to use all of these resources, but we recommend taking advantage of as many as you can!
CANVAS
Canvas houses our online library of resources, which includes an extensive collection of readings, webinars, project videos, and more. It is also our main source of communication with instructors and students: where we announce upcoming webinars, send reminders about imminent deadlines, etc. If you haven’t been added to Canvas already, please reach out to the BDC team. Once you know your roster for the semester, you can reach out to us with your students’ emails so they can be added to the course as well.GROW.BIO MATERIAL + AMINO BIO RESOURCE CODES
We have codes available for free Grow.bio grow material for participating classrooms as well as discount codes to share with colleagues. We also have discount codes for Amino Bio resources and kits. Please email Michael at mbalangue@biodesignchallenge.org for access to these codes.
COURSE DESCRIPTION FORM
Please fill out the Course Description Form so that we can provide your classroom with the most relevant resources and mentors.MENTOR MATCHMAKING
BDC provides each classroom with a list of expert consultants and will make the connection with one of the selected mentors. Instructors are welcome to reach out to the other listed mentors as well. Please see this page for examples of past consultants and fill out the Course Description Form to be matched with the most relevant mentors.BDC ARCHIVE
We have archived all student project material and Summit programming since the beginning of the program. This can be a helpful source of inspiration for student projects or themes. You can find the BDC Archive here.PUBLIC RESOURCES
This page has a list of resources for those in the general public who may not know about biodesign. The resources are based on common themes that arise from biodesign projects, including Architecture + Materials, Bioethics & Social Justice, Bioteech as Protest, Energy, Fashion, Food, Medicine, and Water.PROJECT GUIDELINES
This is a quick-start guide for students as they initiate their biodesign projects. It provides guidance on important considerations as they develop their projects. The accompanying illustrations were done by BDC alumnus Liv Bargman. -
CLASS ORIENTATION
BDC offers virtual and in-person class visits where members of our staff will provide an overview presentation of the program as well as answer any questions you or the students may have. You can find the Class Intro Presentation here and sign up for a Class Visit here (coming soon).
MID-SEMESTER REVIEW
BDC offers virtual and in-person mid-semester review check-ins where students can present their projects for feedback from members of our staff. These typically occur on March 26-27. You can sign up for a mid-semester review here (coming soon).
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January 30, 2024: BDC 2024 Kick-Off Alumni Q&A Event (Virtual)
Join us for an exciting online event where you can hear from our esteemed alumni as they share their experiences and insights. This event will give 2024 students the opportunity to ask questions and get an idea of what to expect from participating in Biodesign Challenge from some of our wonderful alumni who have gone through the program, as well as learn about the different pathways alumni have taken post-BDC.
February 11th, 2024: BioBAT Art Space Private Tour and Artist Talk (NYC)
What is a career in Biodesign x Art? Come explore with fellow BDC community at BioBAT Art Space for a day! BioBAT Art Space is a NYC art gallery focusing on the intersection of art and science located in the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Brooklyn, NY.
The private tour will be from 1-3pm ET on Sunday, February 11th, 2024. Exhibiting artists will also be present to answer questions and speak about their work. BioBAT Art Space is located in Sunset Park at Brooklyn Army Terminal, 58th St, Brooklyn, NY 11220. RSVP at the link above to reserve a spot!
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Links to the event pages for each webinar will be added soon!
Engaging with Emerging Tech in Biodesign | Mischa Kuma
Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 12-1pm ET
Biodesign for Healthcare: A Primer | Neil Bretaña
Thursday, March 21st, 2024 5-6pm ET
Biomaterials and Sustainability | Fiona Bell
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 12-1pm ET
The Politics of Biodesign | Ollie Cotsaftis
Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 5-6pm ET
In Conversation: Cultivating a Bioart Practice | Angela McQuillan & Nora Gibson
Friday, April 19th, 2024 12-1pm ET
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BDC provides each school with a Google Drive folder as a central location to collect classroom photos, student project descriptions, example videos, and more. This will serve as a helpful resource for both non-finalist and finalist team content to be shared on the BDC website after the Summit. Please contact Michael if you have not received a Google Drive folder.
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BDC Summit 2024 Logistics Document [WIP]
SUMMIT DATES AND LOCATIONS
June 12, 2024 | Instructor Professional Development Day
55 W 13th Street, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10011
June 13, 2024 | The New School, Tishman Auditorium
63 5th Avenue New York, NY 10003
June 13, 2024 | Summit Gallery exhibition - The New School, Arnhold Hall
55 W 13th Street, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10011
June 14, 2024 | The Museum of Modern Art, Titus 1 Theater
11 West 53rd Street New York, NY 10019 (Please check in at The Ronald S. and Jo Carole Lauder building entrance (MoMA Film entrance) east of the main entrance on W 53rd St.)
PRESENTATION GUIDELINES
Students must submit their final presentations in Keynote or Powerpoint format in 16:9 aspect ratio by June 3rd at 11:59 EST via this Google Form. Please submit any embedded video files separately as MP4 files. THIS IS A HARD DEADLINE: Updated versions of your presentation will not be accepted after June 3rd.
Each team will have 15 minutes total on stage (10 minutes to present and 5 minutes to answer questions from judges, but presentations may be shorter to allow for more Q&A time).
***All teams must be ready to present on June 14 (Summit Day 2)***
During opening remarks on the morning of the 14th, we will announce the 8 contenders for the overall prize. These teams must be in the Titus 2 theater and ready to present at their allotted time. If they miss their allotted time they will be disqualified. All teams at the Summit are still eligible to win special prizes and must attend the award ceremony.
EVENT LOGISTICS
Lunch will be provided both days of the Summit. There will be vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available.
Family and friends are permitted to attend student presentations and can purchase tickets through Eventbrite. All events on the 14th will be livestreamed on our Youtube Channel.
GALLERY SHOW LOGISTICS
Opening and Reception: June 13th from (TBA), open to the public
Gallery Show Location:
The New School, Arnhold Hall 55 W 13th Street, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10011
Gallery Show Installation
Installation will take place on June 11th from (TBA) and June 12th from (TBA) at The New School Arnhold Hall.
Each team will have (TBA) wall space for a 24x36” poster and (TBA) of display space on a table for objects.
If teams have a video they would like to show, they must bring their own laptop or tablet for display. If your gallery display requires electricity, please let us know ahead of time so we can ensure your team is placed near an outlet.
We will be sending a layout with space assignments soon.
Gallery Show De-Installation
June 14th - 15th: All teams must return to the gallery to collect their exhibition pieces. All pieces that are not picked up after 2:00 PM ET on June 15th will be discarded. BDC takes no responsibility for returning items left at the gallery show. Students are welcome to take projects from gallery prior to June 15th.
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PROCESS & RUBRIC
Please see this page for more detailed information about the judging process and rubric. Each year, judging occurs in three rounds:
In the classroom, where the instructor will decide on a finalist team to attend the Summit
On the first day of the Summit, all teams will present and each of the four judging panels will select two teams to progress to Day 2.
The top teams present to the full judging panel who will choose prize winners.
The projects are judged based on the following four criteria:
Concept
Narrative
Reflection
Context
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This year, we have the following prizes:
Overall Winner/Grand Prize
Runner-Up
Outstanding Art
Outstanding Exhibit
Outstanding Field Research
Outstanding High Schoolers
Outstanding Narrative
Outstanding Science
Outstanding Social Critique
Outstanding Video
Outstanding Instructor
All teams that present in-person at the Summit are eligible for the Outstanding Prizes (except for Outstanding Video and Outstanding Instructor). Teams that are not able to attend the Summit in-person are only eligible for the Outstanding Video prize. The top teams are eligible for the Grand Prize and Runner-Up Prize along with the Outstanding Prizes (except Outstanding Video and Outstanding Instructor). The Outstanding Instructor prize is awarded based on a call for nominations from students.
Please see the Prizes page for more details about each prize.