Welcome to SynBio & Me—a community-led research project where families in El Paso and Baltimore co-create culturally responsive STEM activities. We're exploring synthetic biology together to build more equitable futures for youth.
WHY IT MATTERS
Science Co-Designed with Our Families
SynBio & Me creates opportunities for families to explore biology as a creative tool for solving problems and expressing ideas. Through hands-on BioMaker experiences, participants discover how science can help them design, build, and imagine solutions that matter in everyday life — together.
OUR RESEARCH
The Three Goals of SynBio & Me
Co-Designing with Families
We bridge the gap between science labs and living rooms. We invite families to help us create BioMaker activities that use their unique cultural stories and traditions.
Belonging in Science
We explore how using culturally-rich activities helps youth see themselves as world-changers and true scientists.
Supporting Local Hubs
We study how community centers in El Paso and Baltimore can become welcoming hubs for 'BioMaker' learning—where everyone has the gear to explore life science.
Community-based Collaborators
El Paso, Texas
Partners: Insights El Paso & YWCA
Our El Paso hub focuses on co-designing culturally responsive STEM activities with families. By integrating local traditions and language with bio-making, we create a learning environment where youth see their identity reflected in scientific exploration.
Baltimore, Maryland
Partners: BUGSS, STEMcx, & LEAF
Working with communities in Baltimore, we investigate how bio-maker activities can promote STEM equity for youth. These informal sessions transform complex science into accessible, hands-on community learning.
University Partners
SynBio & Me collaborates with leading academic institutions to co-create culturally responsive STEM activities and explore equitable futures for our youth.
Baltimore Underground Science Space, BUGSS
BUGSS is a non-profit public laboratory offering classes, seminars, and lab access so that anyone can safely and affordably investigate the living world. By democratizing these technologies we hope to facilitate more nuanced dialogue and exploration of the incredible potential, as well as limitations and ethical issues.
TATA Institute of Social Sciences
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Community-based Organization Partners
Our community-based organization partners are trusted local groups who work directly with families and youth in El Paso and Baltimore.
MN Associates, Inc.
MNA is a NASA’s Science Activation (SciAct) award winning evaluation firm. We are an independent research and program evaluation company working to improve public education since 2004. Through high-quality research and evaluation, we provide actionable insights for our clients to improve their programs and services.
La Nube STEAM Discovery Center
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Latino Education Advancement Fund
The Latino Education Advancement Fund (LEAF) is a non-profit startup organization established in 2016 by its founder president & CEO, Dinorah Olmos. LEAF focuses on providing Spanish-speaking Latino parents with information, knowledge, and skills to navigate their local educational systems.
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YWCA El Paso del Norte Region
STEMcx
STEMcx is the education arm of Transforming Lives Community Development Corporation, a non-profit organization in Baltimore dedicated to improving the lives of others in our community and world.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY • CO-DESIGN WITH US • STEM • FAMILY ENGAGEMENT