Community Connections

BSU CityLab operates as a partnership among many groups and individuals in the Southeastern Massachusetts region.  BSU faculty and CityLab staff collaborate with teachers and administrators from partner school districts to develop innovative programs that meet their specific needs.  The CityLab faculty and staff members teach professional development workshops and graduate-level courses for classroom teachers.  Once trained, these teachers are qualified to borrow equipment from CityLab’s lending laboratories for use at their schools.  In turn, teachers from partner schools test and evaluate materials with their students and help BSU CityLab staff develop relevant and user-friendly curriculum guides and classroom resources. 

Summer time offerings for teachers and middle school students at BSU CityLab include fast-paced classes that span several days, thereby ensuring an in-depth learning experience for participants.  The Whale of a Mystery summer enrichment program for middle school students draws many applicants from the region and provides an interdisciplinary mix of science, math and language arts.

Through Bridgewater State University’s Center for the Advancement of Science Exploration (CASE), BSU CityLab has forged strong community connections in the science, health, business and education arenas.  The annual DNA and Health Conference hosted by CASE gathers together professionals from many diverse backgrounds, including educators from both the higher education and the K-12 sectors, scientists and business people from the biotechnology industry, administrators and educators from the public health fields, and members of civic and public interest groups.

The exchange of ideas and information continues throughout the year as BSU CityLab personnel attend and present workshops at national and regional meetings and conferences sponsored by various science education and biotechnology groups.  These opportunities lead to expanded outreach for BSU CityLab and often result in the recruitment of new school districts into the on-site program.