Director of Outreach: Becky Gonda, Ph.D.
Assistant Director of Outreach: Jess Robertson
The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh extends its teaching mission beyond the walls of the Clapp / Langley / Crawford complex to bring understanding of science to the greater Pittsburgh area. The goal of the Outreach program is to bridge the gap between the science community and K-12 teachers and students. In past years this has been accomplished through several successful programs, and now more than ever we are finding new ways to effectively translate current science into the classroom. Our programs support teachers, students and classrooms by providing cutting-edge technology and developing new techniques for incorporating that technology into the classroom.
There are several programs targeted to different facets of the Outreach program goals. Explore our links for more information about these programs, which include workshops for High School teachers, field trips to University facilities, and on-site visits to Elementary, Middle, and High Schools - all made possible by funding from The Grable Foundation and the National Science Foundation.
Workshops for Teachers
Biology is a rapidly changing field and scientists make discoveries daily that alter our understanding of biological principles and shape the direction of our future investigations. The High School Teachers' Workshops are intended to update topic knowledge and to facilitate the introduction of contemporary topics and techniques in the classroom.
Summer 2026: We will be offering 3 exciting workshops!
Workshops for returning teachers:
Pervasive Polyploidy
June 17th and 18th, 9am-3pm
Investigate how changes in genome number affect the cell cycle and organismal function, connecting structure and function from DNA to populations. Explore cause-and-effect relationships and system-level consequences of polyploidy across biological scales.
Mitochondrial Mayhem
July 23rd and 24th, 9am-3pm
Bring cellular respiration to life with hands-on yeast experiments that make energy metabolism tangible and engaging for students. Learn practical, classroom-tested activities developed in collaboration with Pitt researchers.
Apply here! Applications due March 20th, 2026
Workshop for teachers new to Pitt Bio Outreach:
Exploring Pitt Kits
July 29th and 30th, 9am-3pm
Designed for teachers new to Pitt Bio Outreach, this workshop introduces our Pitt Kit curriculum and materials that support standards-aligned biology instruction. Explore hands-on investigations, learn how to implement kits in your classroom, and connect with a community of Pitt educators and researchers.
Apply here! Applications due March 20th, 2026
Benefits for teachers:
For each workshop, the teachers selected for this program will receive:
- A $200 honorarium
- Parking and meals
- Access to the Pitt Kits program, which provides all of the reagents, supplies and equipment necessary to incorporate the new topics and concepts into their curriculum at no cost to the teacher or to the school district
For more information, contact the Director of Outreach, Becky Gonda, Ph.D.