Design Alive: Growing the Future with Microbes, Biomaterials, and Making

Can students grow leather from bacteria? What happens when biology becomes a building material? In this interdisciplinary session, learn how a biology teacher and a design technology/engineering teacher co-created a course where students work at the intersection of biotech, sustainability, and fabrication. You’ll see how students isolate microbes, grow materials, and design sustainable products using biomaking techniques. Then, try a micro-ideation challenge and walk away with a complete project map to grow your own bio-design unit.