Arizona Bioscience Week:
Exploring Pathways to Life and Bioscience Careers

Did you know Arizona is at the forefront of the biomedical and technology industry? As the profession continues to grow, so will the job opportunities for your students!

We partnered with the Flinn Foundation to offer you and your classrooms opportunities to engage and learn from Arizona Life and Bioscience career professionals during Arizona Bioscience Week and in our Educator Pro Connect Platform.

Introductions

Join Superintendent Watson and Mary O'Reilly, Ph.D., Vice President, Bioscience Research Programs at the Flinn Foundation, as they guide students through this year's AZ Bioscience Week.

Your classrooms will journey through the innovation of Life and Biosciences in Arizona and learn about Bioscience Entrepreneurs by exploring the Flinn Foundation's Bioscience Entrepreneur List. 

For this Solve-It Challenge, you and your students will create a prosthetic hand that can perform a desired task. More details are in the download.

AZ K-12 teachers who facilitate this Solve-It Challenge from October through November may be eligible to win a $100 gift card.

To be considered eligible, you must complete the following tasks:

1. Facilitate the Solve-It Challenge with your students

2. Take photos or videos of your students going through the Engineering Design Process.

3. Take a photo or video of your final design.

4. Share your photo and videos on your social media platform of choice and tag/mention our account.

   • If you don't have social media, email your submission at STEM@maricopa.gov

   • If you use Facebook: Make your post public and mention our FB Page @Maricopa County School Superintendent's Office

   • If you use Twitter: Mention us at our Twitter handle @mcschoolsup

   • If you use Instagram: Mention us at our IG Handle @mcschoolsup

5. Email us at STEM@maricopa.gov with a photo or video of your final design.

We will announce the winners in December. If you have any questions, you can email us at STEM@maricopa.gov

The AZ Bioscience Career Student Toolkit is an excellent opportunity to familiarize your students with our local life and bioscience organizations.

Use the Flinn Foundation: Bioscience Entrepreneur List as a companion for your students to explore.

This is an interactive PDF, so we encourage you to click the links in "Reflect," "Explore," and "Connect."

Industry Spotlight

Are you interested in learning about the exciting innovations in medical technology? 

In this Industry Spotlight, Nathan Brent, RN, MSN/Ed., the Senior Program Coordinator for the Center for Simulation and Innovation at U of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix, will share how he combines his nursing career with technology to train students for medical careers! 

Nathan Brent is available to engage with your students through our Educator Pro Connect Platform.

Industry Spotlight

Significant advances in modern technology related to optical detection and imaging systems have helped medical professionals unveil novel means of diagnoses down to the cellular level! 

In this Industry Spotlight, Dr. Raj Chakraborty, General Manager for Laser Components Detector Group: Life Sciences/Medicine, will share how his career combines engineering and optical detection technology to develop diagnostic solutions for Biosciences!

Dr. Raj Chakraborty is available to engage with your students through our Educator Pro Connect Platform.

Industry Spotlight

Who doesn't love a nice slobbery kiss from your dog? The only gross part is dealing with the bad breath! 

In this Industry Spotlight, Dr. Eric Lyons, Chief Science Officer and co-founder of uPetsia, will share the wonderful world of Microbial biology. Learn how his entrepreneurial spirit led him on a quest to turn smelly dog breath into Happy Dog Breath! 

Dr. Eric Lyons is available to engage with your students through our Educator Pro Connect Platform.

Dr. Mario Blanco, President, and CEO of Nanopec, will share the world of Synthetic Biotechnology and how his company uses DNA and RNA automation platforms to protect, heal and rejuvenate the human body. 

Dr. Rebecca Cook, Research Scientist for INanoBio, will share her cutting-edge research that combines biology with nanotechnology to help diagnose cancer and other diseases. 

Bridget Gessel, Registered Nurse and Case Manager at the Mayo Clinic, will walk students through the steps in her career to become an RN and the vast array of career opportunities as an RN. 

Dr. Asya Rudikoff, Physical Therapist and Director of Strategy and Innovation for Team Select Home Care, will share her passion for working as a Physical Therapist and transitioning to the Home Care System.