Selected high school students can build technical knowledge, lab techniques, research-based thinking and professional skills over eight weeks to prepare them for post-secondary academic pursuits and careers in life science companies. Students who complete this program earn a $500 stipend.
This program meets online on Thursdays from 4 to 6 pm and in person on Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm. In person lab sessions will be held at the BioBuilder Learning Lab @Ginkgo Bioworks (27 Drydock Ave, Boston). Lunch is provided on Saturdays.
To be eligible for our program, you must be:
* at least 16 years old by June 1st, 2025
* a Massachusetts public high school student
* from historically underrepresented groups or economically disadvantaged
* committed to pursuing a career in the life sciences
Students who complete this program will earn a $500 stipend and will be evaluated at no cost for lab-skills and micro-credentials.
Want more information?
Download our Spring 2025 Expectations and Class Schedule – BOSTON >>
Preview the 2025 application >>
In 2016, BioBuilder launched the High School Apprenticeship Challenge in the Boston area with funding from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC). This after-school program was designed as an on-ramp to life science careers for students from populations who are traditionally under-represented in STEM. Through a hands-on 8-week lab training class, high school students are prepared for micro-credential testing, internship placements, and academic pursuits.
In 2017 BioBuilder expanded the Apprenticeship to Worcester, where it enrolled, trained, and placed 19 students from the comprehensive schools in the area. Since its beginning, the High School Apprenticeship Challenge in Boston and Worcester has graduated 216 students from 63 high schools, resulting in 100 STEM summer job placements and more than 160 micro-credentials awarded.
From mid-October through mid-December, students attend our online and in person Lab Training Program to work in lab research teams.
Our class schedule from Spring 2025 can be downloaded for here
We’ve spent time listening to what companies and research labs want students to know … and we’ve partnered with teachers to build on what students are already learning in school.
We leverage our BioBuilder curriculum and our expert teachers to mentor students in a laboratory setting so they can confidently pursue their college and career goals.
Success depends on more than textbook knowledge and a good pair of hands. We use team-based learning to build strong communication skills, responsibility, and resiliency in our students.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about High School Apprenticeship Program here. If you can’t find the answers here please feel free to contact us at info@biobuilder.org.
Applications for the Fall cohort will open in September and for the Spring cohort open in January. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Applications are accepted from students who:
Students who will be extensively engaged in other activities on Saturdays should not apply.
Students interested in participating must apply online and identify a teacher who can serve as a reference to support the student application. The BioBuilder Educational Foundation will review applications. Students must be from underrepresented backgrounds, identify as economically disadvantaged, or go to school in under-served communities. Participants are accepted on a rolling basis. We regret that we cannot respond to all student inquiries.
There is a $500 stipend for the program. The stipend is awarded to students who successfully complete BioBuilder’s Apprenticeship Challenge.
All students are then encouraged to test for micro-credentials, and/or pursue one of the job interviews or paid summer internships that the Apprenticeship Challenge may help arrange. Results on the credentialling exams, and summer placement opportunities and compensation amounts will vary.
Yes there are. Students who complete the program will receive a $500 stipend. Thursday absences will result in a $50 deduction and Saturday absences will result in a $100 deduction. Late arrivals of 15 minutes or more on Thursdays will result in a $25 deduction and 30 minutes or more on Saturdays will result in a $50 deduction. Anyone who misses more than two Thursday sessions, misses more than one Saturday session, or fails to notify instructors of absences or tardiness will not receive a stipend. Failure to pay attention and engage with the program will result in dismissal and loss of stipend.
We are grateful for funding from individual donors and charitable foundations. Without this support, we would not be able to run the Apprenticeship.
We also rely on significant in-kind support from companies and individuals who provide materials and who volunteer their expertise to the program.
Finally, the hiring companies and academic labs are vital partners in this Apprenticeship Challenge. Together we help change the career trajectory of our wonderful students.
Contact us if you can help in any of these ways: info@biobuilder.org
We sure do! Download our 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023 Outcome Reports!
And please watch our 2025 highlights video linked here.