Biosciences & Engineering Institute
Experimentation. Exploration. Innovation. The building blocks of science – hands-on.
The frontier of science and technology has rarely been as exciting as it is today. Students will have the opportunity to work with esteemed faculty in the Wake Forest science departments, research mentors, and industry professionals who have taken cutting-edge research and seen it materialize in the real-world. Investigate the pathway from basic science research to tissue engineering, with hands-on workshops, experiments and tours of cutting edge facilities. Students explore how the Biosciences and Engineering fields have evolved through physical sciences to innovative research, industry products, and procedures. Close collaboration and deeper engagement in the world of Biosciences and Engineering will allow students to see their futures – right now.
At a Glance
Dates: July 12-17, 2020 or July 19-24, 2020
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school and incoming college freshmen
Program Length: 1-week sessions
Program Tuition: $2,600
Location: Winston-Salem, NC – Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus
Day or Overnight Program: Overnight
*Courses carry no secondary school or college credit. Upon completion of the program, an official Wake Forest University certificate of achievement will be awarded to all Biosciences and Engineering Institute participants.
What You’ll Experience
Topics Covered
- Basic Sciences (Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Engineering)
- Regenerative Medicine
- Careers in Biosciences
- Clinical/Foundational Research
- BioMedical Engineering
- Progression of Scientific Research to Industry
Hands-On Experience:
- Laboratory experiments in chemistry, biochemistry, and engineering
- Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine tour and simulations
- CAD and 3-D modeling demonstrations
- 3D printing technologies
- Cook Medical excursion
*Hands-on experiences are subject to change.
Biosciences and Engineering Institute Costs:
Reynolda Campus (Residential Program) | $2,600
A Day in the Life
- 8:00 – 9:00 am- Arrive and breakfast
- 9:00-9:30 am – Welcome and pre-lab discussion – technique and protocol
- 9:30 – 11:30 am – Synthesis of Aspirin and Wintergreen lab experiment
- 11:30 am – 12:00 pm – Post lab discussion and wrap-op
- 12:00 – 1:00 pm – Lunch with Wake Forest undergraduate and graduate researchers
- 1:00 – 1:30 pm – Introduction to biomedical engineering
- 1:30 – 2:00 pm – Engineering activity: creating a bionic arm
- 2:00 – 4:00 pm – Building and testing bionic arm
- 4:00 – 5:00 pm – Bionic arm competition
- 5:00 – 5:30 pm – Debrief for next day
- 5:30 – 6:30 pm – Dinner
- 6:30 – 7:30 pm – Evening activities
- 7:30 – 9:00 pm – Free time
- 9:00 – 10:00 pm – Prepare for bed
- 10:00 pm – Lights out
*This “A Day in the Life” sample schedule is based upon the 2018 curriculum and is subject to change.
Dr. Megan Rudock
Academic Leader, Biosciences and Engineering Institute
Dr. Megan Rudock earned her B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Georgia, with research focused in biochemistry and molecular biology. Megan then earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics and Genomics at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where her doctoral research focused on population genetics and the biochemical and molecular pathways leading to subclinical atherosclerosis and insulin resistance.
As a member of the teaching faculty in the Chemistry Department, Dr. Rudock is interested in comparing the effectiveness of discovery-based teaching methods, such as Process-Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) and Flipped Classroom models, with more traditional teaching methods in general chemistry courses. Current research indicates that teaching-by-telling does not work for many students. In many cases, students enjoy learning more and develop a greater ownership of material when they are given the opportunity to construct their own understanding.
Summer Immersion Program
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program is a hands-on learning experience. Students dive deep into a field of study with access to world-class faculty, researchers, and industry professionals.