Biotechnology Institute (BTI)

CAF Partner Program – BTI

Carlmont High School launched the Biotechnology Institute, a three-year cross-curricular small-learning community that serves 150 students per year, in the fall of 2015.  Students apply to the Biotechnology Institute (BTI) program in the spring of their freshman year and throughout their three years (10th thru 12th), students take science-themed English and social studies classes as well as a series of courses in biotechnology. Special benefits include access to state-of-the-art lab equipment and facilities; field trips to both start-ups and pioneering companies in the biotechnology industry; and the opportunity to build relationships with professionals in the scientific community through on-campus symposiums, and a year-long mentor program.

In 2018, the unique financial needs of BTI extended beyond the resources provided by Carlmont and the district (even with CAF’s contributions prior to 2018), and BTI families needed a way to raise essential funds to keep BTI alive and vibrant. Recognizing the special, small academic learning community that BTI provides to Carlmont students, CAF and BTI worked together to develop a partnership that, starting with the 2019-2020 school year, allows BTI families to allocate a portion of their CAF donation to BTI.  BTI families are encouraged to give generously to both BTI and CAF – ensuring that their children benefit both in the BTI classroom, as well as throughout their day outside of BTI classes, and that Carlmont continues to be the stellar academic institution it is today.

BTI students are given unique opportunities to expand their learning environment beyond the classroom, such as attending a professional symposium on campus where they learn from professionals in the biotech industry. They also visit biotech companies, attend science-based field trips, experience a year long one-on-one mentorship with a professional, as well as develop their own unique biotech product in a dual credit college course during their senior year.

CLICK HERE to learn more about BTI!