Are You Teaching The Future?
Support your students through a flexible 6-week innovation challenge that builds teamwork, STEM confidence, and real-world problem-solving skills.
The Program
A Guided Innovation Experience
BIOTech Futures is centred around our 6-week challenge: a guided innovation experience where students work in teams, guided by a mentor, to solve real-world problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Delivered primarily online for accessibility and scalability, the program is enhanced by meaningful in-person touchpoints through our chapter network.
The Challenge Experience
Students progress through structured challenge stages that develop critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Along the way, they engage with contemporary industry themes and learn how innovation moves from idea to impact.
For Teachers
Flexible Delivery for Schools
In-curricular
Run the Challenge within class time as part of subject learning, project-based learning, enrichment, or assessment activities. BIOTech Futures provides structured submissions, marking, and feedback for each stage, reducing teacher workload while supporting student progress.
Introduce the challenge during class time
Students form teams and define a problem
Teams develop ideas with mentor support
Submissions, marking, and feedback are provided
Finalist teams progress to the symposium
Registration & Team
Formation
Getting started is simple and flexible for schools. There are multiple pathways to participation:
Teacher Registration
Teachers can register on behalf of their students or coordinate whole-class participation.
Student Registration
Students may also register independently, making it easy for keen individuals to join.
Team Structure
Students work in groups of 2–5 students per team, with mentor guidance throughout.
Flexible Grouping
Students can register as an existing group, or individually — BIOTech Futures will help place them into teams.
In-Person Chapter Touchpoints
Through local BIOTech Futures chapters, schools can access optional in-person experiences that enrich the online challenge journey:
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Outreach workshops hosted at schools or partner venues
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Skills sessions and mentoring opportunities
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Networking with university students, researchers, and professionals
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Community-building events connecting participating students across the network
End-of-Challenge Symposium
The program culminates in a flagship symposium where finalist teams showcase their ideas, hear from inspiring speakers, and connect with peers from across the network. This event celebrates student achievement while giving participants exposure to future study and career pathways.
Why Teachers Choose BIOTech Futures
Flexible Delivery
Flexible in-curricular or extracurricular implementation
Structured Support
Structured submissions with marking and feedback provided
Accessible Program
Accessible online core program with scalable participation
Local Engagement
Valuable face-to-face engagement through local chapters
Skill Development
Strong focus on teamwork, innovation, and presentation skills
STEM Inspiration
Inspires student interest in STEM and health careers