Morris County School of Technology Unveils New Lab for The Academy for Biotechnology 

Students, faculty, parents, and industry partners recently gathered to celebrate the opening of a brand-new, state-of-the-art biotechnology lab at the Morris County School of Technology in Denville. The lab, designed in collaboration with industry professionals, will serve as the primary learning space for students in the Academy for Biotechnology.

According to the Morris County Economic Development Corporation, Morris County is the epicenter of New Jersey’s biotechnology industry and has emerged as a nationally recognized life sciences hub. The presence of global companies such as Novartis, Bayer, Alvogen, Allergan, Euroimmun US, Pfizer, LEO Pharma, and Ferring Pharmaceuticals make the region attractive for additional investment. In addition, the regional job concentration for the biotechnology industry is 3.42 times the national job concentration and jobs are projected to grow by 9.4% from 2020-2025. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, such as the Academy for Biotechnology, prepare students for these career opportunities while still in high school and, in doing so, help to grow a skilled workforce.

What is biotechnology? According to the Academy for Biotechnology Teacher, Alessandro Pizzo, biotechnology is the process of using microorganisms to produce products that are useful to society.  In the four-year program, students in the Academy develop research and laboratory skills through learning in a hands-on, project-based model guided by real-world applications. “Our students will have full use of this lab space in order to grow microorganisms and analyze DNA sequences and proteins that they harvest from the organisms,” said Pizzo.

“As you can see, this is not your typical high school science lab. It represents what our students will see in the biotechnology field,” said Kerry Eberhardt, Director of Programs at the Morris County Vocational School District. “This result was only possible with the guidance and support of post-secondary and industry partners who sit on the Academy Advisory Council and we are very grateful for their partnership.”

To learn more, middle school students and parents are encouraged to attend an Information Session on November 18 at 6:30pm at the Morris County School of Technology.  Learn about a unique high school experience combining comprehensive academics with career and technical education (academy) classes.

To register for an Information Session or to complete an online application, visit  www.mcvts.org/apply. The application deadline for an eighth-grade student to apply is December 3, 2021.

The Morris County Vocational School District values industry partnerships and welcomes organizations to reach out with opportunities to partner and/or provide student internships. Organizations may use this link to submit information if interested.

The Morris County Vocational School District (MCVSD) offers Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs for Morris County high school students. The academies are public programs of choice for Morris County residents. Students apply to an Academy program during the fall of their 8th-grade year.

The Morris County School of Technology (MCST) houses eleven full-time academies, including the Academy for Biotechnology. MCST students experience all that CTE offers, including work-based learning, mentorship from business and industry partners, access to Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), dual credit college programs, and hands-on/project-based learning.

For additional information, contact Gina DiDomenico, Student Recruitment & Community Relations at (973) 627-4600 ext. 277 or email [email protected]