Start Date
November 2025
End Date
November 2025
Keywords
entrepreneurial pedagogy, experiential learning, student innovation, active learning strategies, curriculum design, human-centered education, higher education transformation, creativity in teaching, interdisciplinary teaching, real-world problem solving, classroom innovation
Abstract
This session explores an innovative, evidence-based approach to integrating entrepreneurial thinking into undergraduate neuroscience education through hands-on gene editing experiences. Using the commercially available Bio-Rad CRISPR/Cas9-based “Out of the Blue” kit for bacterial LacZ gene editing, students are guided not only through the scientific principles underlying modern gene editing technologies but also through the entrepreneurial challenge of replicating and manufacturing the kit using existing lab resources. This model empowers students to extend their learning beyond the classroom by engaging in cost-effective, scalable biotechnology practices—particularly valuable for institutions with limited funding. Classroom-based research demonstrates increased student engagement, deeper conceptual understanding, and enhanced problem-solving skills. Furthermore, students are oriented toward understanding the concepts of intellectual property and bioethics in scientific research and application. The session will share data on student outcomes and reflections, and provide a framework for integrating similar entrepreneurial experiences into STEM curricula. Intended for faculty in the biological sciences and interdisciplinary educators interested in experiential learning, this session offers practical strategies to foster innovation, resourcefulness, and real-world readiness in a digital and artificial intelligence age.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify core scientific principles behind CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing using the commercially available “Out of the Blue” kit.
- Apply entrepreneurial thinking to replicate and scale biotechnology tools using lab resources.
- Evaluate the impact of hands-on gene editing on student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Discuss ethical considerations and intellectual property issues in biotechnology innovation.
- Design classroom strategies that integrate cost-effective, experiential STEM learning.
Track
Evidence-Based Practice
Session Type
50-Minute Session
Included in
Bacteriology Commons, Biotechnology Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Educational Technology Commons, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Commons, Molecular Genetics Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons, Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons
Fostering Entrepreneurial Thinking and Practice Through Teaching and Learning Integration
This session explores an innovative, evidence-based approach to integrating entrepreneurial thinking into undergraduate neuroscience education through hands-on gene editing experiences. Using the commercially available Bio-Rad CRISPR/Cas9-based “Out of the Blue” kit for bacterial LacZ gene editing, students are guided not only through the scientific principles underlying modern gene editing technologies but also through the entrepreneurial challenge of replicating and manufacturing the kit using existing lab resources. This model empowers students to extend their learning beyond the classroom by engaging in cost-effective, scalable biotechnology practices—particularly valuable for institutions with limited funding. Classroom-based research demonstrates increased student engagement, deeper conceptual understanding, and enhanced problem-solving skills. Furthermore, students are oriented toward understanding the concepts of intellectual property and bioethics in scientific research and application. The session will share data on student outcomes and reflections, and provide a framework for integrating similar entrepreneurial experiences into STEM curricula. Intended for faculty in the biological sciences and interdisciplinary educators interested in experiential learning, this session offers practical strategies to foster innovation, resourcefulness, and real-world readiness in a digital and artificial intelligence age.