Unlocking the Potential of Science Education: A Journey with BioBuilder

"I want BioBuilder in every High School in America. Our programs are designed to foster the love of science in students and teachers while training tomorrow's workforce."  

- Natalie Kuldell
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Science education has long been a cornerstone of academic curriculum, but is it truly fulfilling its potential? In a recent conversation with the Founder and Executive Director of BioBuilder Educational Foundation, Natalie Kuldell, we delved into the transformative power of science education and its ability to shape young minds and the future of our workforce.

How did your journey begin?

My love and passion for science were piqued after a summer internship at the National Institutes of Health while in high school. It was there that I discovered the creative, collaborative nature of science. My experience with science up to that point in a traditional school setting didn’t have the same impact. In school, they give you a book and ask you to memorize it. They show you how to dissect a frog and ask you if you can identify its parts. The education system is selling science short. They are hiding the best parts!

Is this what led you to BioBuilder? It is so rare to find such a direct path to your calling!

Yes and no. I took a detour before starting the foundation. I studied chemistry in college and went on to get my PhD in cell biology at Harvard. But it wasn’t all science for me. I did take a year off to dance professionally in Boston. That was a fun year, but I knew where I needed to be.

After graduation, I was on track to run my research lab, and then life happens. I had my daughter – who is about to become a veterinarian, and I’m very proud – and after a decade of pursuing science and being an academic scientist, I wanted to be home. This is an essential part of my story because I see women in the professional world trying so hard to do it all. Many struggle to find that balance, and others think that once they take that step into motherhood, they won’t be able to fulfill all their professional dreams. I am here to say you can! It may not look exactly as you pictured it before starting a family, but I would have it no other way.

That is so inspiring. Being in a female-dominated profession, I see the hustle and the drive to do it all, and it is so admirable! Is this what led you to teach?

Yes! As much as I love research – and I truly do – I was fortunate to have an opportunity to apply my science background in another direction at Wellesley College and teach their lab classes. Later, I was a faculty member at MIT, where I made amazing relationships that helped me catapult BioBuilder to new heights.  

The founders of Ginkgo Bioworks were students at MIT at the time and have since been great supporters of BioBuilder, even sharing their space at the Design Center in Boston, so we have a state-of-the-art classroom and lab to host afterschool and summer programs. We are so lucky and grateful for their continued support and belief in the foundation.

What was the tipping point that led you to start BioBuilder?

It was a culmination of three things:

1. My first-hand experience in working with and teaching students in a lab setting.

2. My experience at the NIH inspired me to see science differently.

3. The changing world views of science and what is needed in the field to ensure it continues to move forward.  

While the foundation has been around for 12 years, the mission remains the same and only grows in importance with advancements from AI to vaccines.

Can you tell me a bit about BioBuilder and how it is different from other programs?

BioBuilder has been in over 2,000 schools across 49 states and 55 different countries, impacting 63,000 students. I’m hoping North Dakota will give us a call after this blog is published!

We bring opportunities to underserved communities that allow the best talent to enter the industry, regardless of background or connections. Through in-classroom, after-school, and dedicated cohort programs, we provide exposure to real-world STEM applications to students in urban, rural, and underserved communities, helping expand the future STEM workforce.

Our differentiator is that we seek to inspire both the students and educators to learn and love science. 

Is BioBuilder only available inside of a high school setting?

Our impact doesn't stop at the classroom door. Recognizing the evolving landscape of the biotech industry, we have expanded our reach to include workforce training programs. By equipping students with practical skills and industry-recognized credentials, we are opening doors to many career opportunities, including those that do not require a traditional four-year degree.

Central to BioBuilder's philosophy is accessibility. The BioBuilder curriculum is openly accessible, with resources available for download on our website. Through partnerships with distributors and credential providers, we are working to ensure that our programs reach every corner of the country, transcending barriers of geography and socioeconomic status.

We also provide our curriculum in several different languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, Mandarin, and more. Teachers and supporters from all over the world who love the program have stepped up to help us translate these materials. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated community behind us.

What else should we know about BioBuilder?

I recently read a report from Deloitte that cites Generation Alpha as the first generation in U.S. history in which the white demographic is not the majority. Today's youngest generation is roughly 48% white —making it the most diverse generation ever. 

From demographics to a rise in skills-based hiring, the workforce will look drastically different in five years. The freshmen and sophomores we are working with today will be better equipped to enter that new world, and we are proud of that.

Thank you for taking the time to meet with us, Natalie! We could not be more excited to work with such a powerful, mission-critical organization. BioBuilder is not just an educational initiative – it is a movement. We love being part of it and empowering the next generation of scientists, innovators, and problem-solvers. 

For those interested in learning more, please visit: https://biobuilder.org/.

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