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Texas Bioscience Institute
An Award Winning Model for Biotechnology Workforce Development
A Texas STEM Early Innovator
As a T-STEM Early Innovator, Texas Bioscience Institute Middle College (TBI), fills a local need - preparing Central Texans to work in the bioscience/medical professions. Located on Scott and White Hospital’s West Campus, students take college courses that will enable them to graduate from high school with an Associate of Arts or Applied Science in biotechnology degree or substantial college credit hours. Barely two years old, the Texas Bioscience Institute graduated 42 students from the program this year, with ten receiving an Associate of Arts degree prior to high school graduation. All students graduated with at least 14 transferable college credits and most with over 50 credits. TBI’s model has earned recognition from the Bayer Foundation as a STEM K-12 Best Practices organization, as well as the Bellwether Award for workforce development in 2007.
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Meeting a Local Challenge Facing a local concern over declining postsecondary enrollment in science and math and with biotechnology emerging as a targeted industry in the state, Temple College, in cooperation with the local healthcare community, initiated the Texas Bioscience Institute and opened for enrollment in 2007. Major partners, along with Temple College, include Scott and White Hospital, Texas A & M University College of Medicine, the Temple Health and Bioscience District, the City of Temple, and surrounding school districts. |
| These partners provide mission-critical internships, instructors, students, jobs, and current research. “The vision is to develop scientists as well as the whole student,” College Director, Nelda Howton says, “…a community need being filled.” |
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World Class Experience
The curriculum concentrates on science, math, and biotechnology. Students attending TBI engage in real world project-based curriculum, attend seminars led by world-class scientists and physicians, and are truly introduced to the worlds of science and medicine. TBI also provides opportunities for students to engage in reflective discussions, as well as research projects with faculty and scientists. “I really enjoy doing the lab work in biology and microbiology,” TBI Junior Laura Hernandez states. “So much of this we would have just seen pictures of in a book in high school. Being able to actually participate is really cool.” |
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Contribution to the Community
In two years, the Texas Bio Science Institute has made a significant contribution to the community by preparing under-represented students for a career in a medical field. TBI did this by raising the level of math and science education through exposure to advanced college courses in a medical setting. Consistently, TBI students have met and exceeded regional averages in test performance. Statistics indicate that while the students taking a full load of 14 credits were more successful than those taking only one or two courses, juniors were typically more successful than seniors and minority students performed slightly better than non-minority students – a reverse in trend. Not only do TBI graduates leave the Institute with a broader range of knowledge in biotechnology and research, but with an understanding and commitment to the broader community. |
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Related Links |
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 Incoming Students Receive Lab Coats at TBI's White Coat Ceremony
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