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Developing tomorrow's scientists

A smiling man with glasses and a beard sits at a wooden table with a young girl in a purple jacket, guiding her as they build an electronic circuit set together using an instruction booklet.

The Fralin Life Sciences Institute at Virginia Tech provides educational and outreach programs designed to engage learners of all ages—from elementary students to undergraduates—in life science and environmental research fields like bioinformatics and biotechnology.

During the 2024-25 academic year, close to 3,500 students across the Commonwealth of Virginia were served by 60+ educational and outreach programs, including the ones listed below, as well as high-engagement touchpoints such as elementary school science fairs and STEM nights, International Street Fair, and the Virginia Tech Science Festival and Hokies for a Day programs, sponsored by the Center for Education Networks and Impacts:

K–12 Outreach Programs

  • Biotech in a Box™: For over 30 years, this signature loan program has provided middle schools, high schools, and community colleges across Virginia with free laboratory kits containing necessary supplies and equipment. Kits cover topics including DNA biotechnology, protein electrophoresis, column chromatography, studying slime mold behavior, and immunology, reaching over 10,000 students annually.

  • Kids' Tech University (KTU) & KTU Graduate School: Designed for children ages 9–12 and 13–16 respectively, these programs bring students and parents to Virginia Tech's campus to participate in interactive sessions with scientists, conduct hands-on activities, and explore emerging STEM topics.

    In 2023, Kids' Tech University partnered with the College Access Collaborative to bring select middle school students to campus to attend Kids' Tech University at no charge. Funding from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s Early College Exposure: Getting Middle School Students onto College Campuses grant supported this initiative.

  • Spanish Kids' Tech University (¡en Español!): Established in fall 2024, the April session of Kids' Tech University is dedicated to providing broader accessibility to the Spanish-speaking community through tailored, fully Spanish-led sessions.

  • STEM Summer Camp & Homeschooling STEM Club: In partnership with 4-H, the one-week summer camp introduces ages 9–12 to subjects like geology, microscopy, horticulture, coding, and engineering.

    The Homeschooling STEM Club offers targeted hands-on science programming for homeschooled students.

  • Class Tours & Hands-on Activities: Offers school groups guided tours of Steger Hall and laboratory experiences centered around DNA activities on campus.