AMGEN Biotech Experience

Biotechnology provides the tools and techniques for modern pharmaceutical research and drug development. Students following the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) programme explore the steps involved in creating biotechnology therapies. The programme is designed to inspire interest and develop skills in biotechnology. It provides professional learning opportunities and resources to support teachers, technicians and students in the use of ABE practical kit, resources and curriculum. It includes, free to schools:

CPD for school and college teachers and science technicians
loan of research-grade lab equipment so that students can explore methods that scientists use to create biotechnology medicines
detailed teacher and student guides
hands-on molecular biology student activities matched with key stage 4 and post-16 specifications including GCSE, A level, T level and BTec
practical activities suitable for key stage 3 students
teaching approaches that can help students to understand how biotechnology impacts on people's lives.

The ABE programme is international. Each year more than 90,000 students participate. The University of Hertfordshire coordinates the UK programme. The four UK hubs for professional development and kit loan are located in Cambridge, Hatfield, Hull and Norwich.

Keep up to date about the ABE programme through our regular newsletter.

Find out what the ABE programme offers for teaching molecular biology and biotechnology, inc free kit loans to participating schools.

The Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) provides free to schools and colleges: CPD for biology teachers and technicians; loan of research grade lab equipment so that students can carry out practical biotechnology activities; and teaching and learning resources. It is relevent to A level, T level and key stage 4, and is used in some schools with key stage 3 students to introduce molecular biology and practical techniques. This taster session, hosted by the new ABE hub in Kent, is an opportunity to learn more about ABE and ways that it can benefit your school by enriching the biology curriculum. You will learn about the local programme, see equipment that schools can borrow from the hub, and carry out practical techniques using the kit.

Try our taster session at MidKent College on 1 May 2024 - Book via Eventbrite

Explore our resources

View our AMGEN resources

New $12.4M commitment to ABE

ABE is expanding to reach an additional 180,000 students across 27 Amgen communities around the world over the next two years, bringing the Amgen Foundation's commitment to the program to $50M+ to date, and the cumulative program reach to 1.2M students globally.

The UK ABE programme is part of a global initiative that provides research-grade equipment loans, curriculum frameworks and training for teachers and technicians that enable students to engage in hands-on biotech experiments that would otherwise remain beyond reach for many schools. The renewed funding commitment also supports new ABE program sites in Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa.

AMGEN Biotech Experience website

Find out about ABE CPD

Our CPD develops participants’ knowledge of biotechnology theory, technical and practical skills, including restriction enzyme digestion, ligation reactions and agarose gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, DNA profiling and PCR [polymerase chain reaction]. It is practical – offering first-hand experience of activities that students will undertake, including producing a functional protein from genetically modified bacteria.

Course 1 Introduction to DNA manipulation for the classroom

Run over two full days (09:30 - 15:30): for teachers and technicians new to ABE. Day 1 is for teachers and technicians. Day 2 is for technicians only.
The course introduces the ABE programme; practical techniques including micro-pipetting, restriction digestion, ligation and gel electrophoresis; and ABE labs and teaching techniques.

For schools new to ABE, a contribution of £300 for supply cover is available, when both teacher and technician attend course 1

Dates of further CPD will be published as soon as scheduled. In the meantime, please contact stem@herts.ac.uk to request that CPD details and dates are sent to you directly.

Location	Course date	Booking link
Hertfordshire (AL10 9AB)	Day 1: 26 June	Book via Eventbrite
	Day 2: 27 June
Cambridge (CB2 8PQ)	Day 1: 24 June	Book via Eventbrite
	Day 2: 25 June
Norwich (NR4 7UH)	Day 1: 5 July	Book via Eventbrite
	Day 2: 12 July
MidKent (ME7 1FN)	Day 1: 10 July	Book via Eventbrite
	Day 2: 11 July

Course 2 - Extending practical work - course for teachers and technicians who have attended course 1 previously

Run over one full-day face to face session with a follow-up 1 hour session online for teachers and technicians who have previously attended our introductory course, Manipulating DNA in the classroom (course 1).

This lab based practical day extends teaching and learning through additional and extension ABE labs; new practical techniques including DNA profiling, transformation and analytical PCR; and new activities and teaching techniques.

Location	Date	Booking link
Hertfordshire (AL10 9AB)	25 June	Book via Eventbrite
Cambridge (CB2 8PQ)	27 June	Book via Eventbrite
Norwich (NR4 7UH)	15 July	Book via Eventbrite

Course 3 - Enriching DNA teaching in the classroom through bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is an evolving field which is essential for analysis, interpretation and management of data in modern biology and medicine. It is interdisciplinary, drawing on computer science, mathematics, physics, and biology and applying tools of computation and analysis to the capture and interpretation of data.

An unprecedented wealth of biological data has been generated by the human genome project and sequencing projects in other organisms. Our online session will utilise freely available online tools to explore how you can easily engage students with bioinformatics activities closely linked to our ABE curriculum. Suitable for 'experienced teachers and technicians' who have attended Course 1 and 2 previously.

The course will also include updates about the 2024-25 ABE programme.

Book via Eventbrite

Dates of further CPD will be published as soon as scheduled. In the meantime, please contact stem@herts.ac.uk to request that CPD details and dates are sent to you directly.

Network meetings
Our termly online network meetings are a chance to keep updated about programme developments and share practice and are held via Zoom.
ABE kit loan
Kit loan from the 4 hubs will continue in the 2023-24 academic year for schools where staff have attended ABE training in 2023.
All schools that borrow kit must complete a risk assessment in advance of the loan. Please check current CLEAPSS guidance for updates.
Schools that wish to borrow kit, subject to the above, please complete the school planning form for 2023-24
A signed Health & Safety and Insurance advice form will need to be returned prior to borrowing the kit: H&S and Insurance advice form.
An important reminder that the kit comprises the equipment to run the labs with 12 pairs of students - we assume that your students will work in pairs. We can provide reagents and consumables for you to run the labs multiple times to accommodate more students, however the amount of equipment in the kit does not change.
Find out about LabXchange
LabXchange is a free science education platform, created at Harvard University with support from the Amgen Foundation, that provides a wealth of teaching and learning resources including information, video material, interactive content and lab simulations on topics that include genetics, biochemistry, biotechnology; evaluation; current research; scientific method; and STEM careers.
LabXchange.org
Case studies from our ABE school network
Schools implement the Amgen Biotech Experience in different ways. We are always delighted to hear about your experiences of ABE and its impact at your school or college.
If you would be willing to share a short case study (500 words and a photograph) of an ABE activity at your school for use on our website, in a future newsletter, or as a basis for discussion then we’d love to hear from you.
Please email stem@herts.ac.uk. It’s really helpful for our centre staff and other schools to hear real-life feedback.
Highlighting ABE impact - about the series, filming guidelines and requirements
What is the series?
The series comprises short films where ABE teachers/students explain their experiences of working with the ABE programme
Filming guidelines
- Content should be filmed portrait, using a phone (as you would expect to see content for TikTok & Instagram Reels filmed)
- Ensure you are in the middle of the frame and leave space round the edge, in case of needing to crop or zoom in later
- Ensure you have good lighting (light comes from behind the camera, directly onto your face)
- Ensure the background is quiet and neutral, but it does not have to be plain
- Videos should answer the questions using full sentences i.e. “I’ve enjoyed my experience with the Amgen Biotech Experience program because…”
- Video responses can be done in multiple takes as we can edit them together. However, please ensure that the whole answer stays under 1 minute
- Do not add any graphics to the video or special effects
- If language in the video is NOT English, please send an English transcript for captions
- Send as an mp4 file to amgenfoundation@substanceglobal.com with a cc to ABEInfo@edc.org
Requirements
- Self-film a video responding to the following prompts:
  - (ALL) Please describe the value you've received by being involved in the ABE program
  - (Teachers) How has the ABE program impacted your students?
  - (Teachers) How has the ABE program contributed to fostering a more engaging and inclusive learning environment?
  - (Students) How did ABE impact your studies?
  - (Students) Can you share a story or experience with the ABE program that highlights the impact it has had on you?
- Extra (if you are keen / able): What does a day in the life using the ABE program look like?

Need more details?

Email Centre for STEM Education