Integrating Biomaking into the Classroom: Enhancing Biology Education with the Biomaking Guide
In today’s education landscape, where technology and sustainable practices meet, the Brilliant Labs Biomaking Guide stands as a vital tool for educators looking to bring a new dimension to biology teaching. Developed by Alisha Collins, the Director of Creative Learning at Brilliant Labs, this guide facilitates an interdisciplinary approach to learning, combining biology with technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, known as STEAM. This article outlines the practical benefits of incorporating the Biomaking Guide and its supplementary kits into educational settings, highlighting Alisha Collins’ contributions to this innovative field.
Combining Biology with STEAM
Biomaking encourages students to interact directly with biological systems, using non-harmful microbes like fungi and bacteria for hands-on projects that reflect real-world scientific processes. Authored by Alisha Collins, the Biomaking Guide offers educators a path to blend biology with STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics – enriching students’ learning experiences by connecting diverse disciplines.
Enhancing the Educational Journey
Adopting the Biomaking Guide and its supplementary kits in the classroom can meaningfully alter the educational experience in several ways:
Hands-On Learning: The guide introduces a variety of interactive experiments and projects, promoting active learning. This approach helps deepen students’ understanding of biological concepts and their real-world applications.
Developing Creativity and Critical Thinking: Biomaking stimulates creativity and critical thinking, pushing students to explore innovative solutions to environmental and sustainability issues through the design and manipulation of living materials.
Broadening STEAM Education: Biomaking seamlessly complements STEAM education, providing a practical context for abstract concepts across science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. This holistic approach makes STEAM subjects more engaging and understandable.
Fostering Sustainability and Environmental Awareness: The guide underscores sustainability principles, teaching students about resource efficiency and environmental care. By connecting biological projects with broader ecological concerns, it prepares students to think critically about their impact on the planet.
About Alisha Collins
Alisha Collins, serving as Brilliant Labs’ Director of Creative Learning, is a dedicated designer and educator with a keen interest in merging storytelling, craft, wellness, play, and new technologies into engaging learning experiences. Her approach focuses on building children’s confidence in using new technologies and fostering a sense of creative contribution in their communities.
Collins’ educational background includes a tenure at the MIT Media Lab, where she collaborated with the Lifelong Kindergarten group. With twelve years of teaching experience across diverse international settings, including India, the USA, Canada, and Brazil, she has developed curricula and led professional development workshops aimed at innovating education. Collins is a co-author of “StartMaking!: A Guide to Engaging Young People in Maker Activities,” a co-founder of the Duct Tape Network, and the initiator of SEEDS – an interdisciplinary StudioLab aimed at fostering creative exploration among youth. In her current role at Brilliant Labs, she spearheads the Biomaking initiative.
Empowering Educators and Students
The Biomaking Guide and its kits are crafted to empower educators by equipping them with the necessary resources to introduce innovative biology education into their classrooms. These materials offer a structured yet adaptable framework that can be tailored to suit various teaching styles and student needs, ensuring inclusivity across different educational levels.
Learn More!
The Biomaking Guide invites educators to consider a STEAM-based approach to biology education, promising a more engaging, comprehensive learning experience. Through hands-on projects and an emphasis on sustainability, it prepares students to approach the challenges of the future with informed creativity and critical thinking. By integrating the Biomaking Guide into the curriculum, educators can contribute to nurturing a generation ready to innovate for a sustainable world, inspired by Alisha Collins’ vision and dedication. Find a sample here or purchase your copy on Amazon.
Learn more about Alisha here!
