The BioBus Educational Programs reached 81 percent of Connecticut's Priority School Districts in 2007-08, surpassing the previous year by almost 20 percent. That and other recently released data shows the programs' increased effectiveness in promoting science and technology education throughout the state. 

"Our goal is to be a key resource for students and teachers," said Sarah Berke, Ph.D., director of the programs. "Every year, we assess our programs' effectiveness and ask the questions: Are we meeting the needs of the state's students? Are we helping address underserved communities? Are we helping teachers improve science and technology education in the classroom? Are we an important resource?"

Data from the 2007-08 annual report shows the BioBus and BioConnection programs served every District Reference Group (DRG) in Connecticut, with the state's Priority School Districts, the most needy, receiving the largest numbers of visits.

Berke said the organization took additional steps to measure program effectiveness by developing pre-and post-laboratory assessments for students and teachers.

Those assessments showed that participation in BioBus and BioConnection programs increased student science content knowledge by 21 percent, and increased student interest in science by 34 percent.

Of the 186 teachers who attended professional development workshops led by BioBus Educational Programs staff, evaluations showed a 36 percent increase in their bioscience content knowledge. Confidence in teaching the subject increased on average by 30 percent, while teachers said their confidence using biotechnology in the classroom increased an average of 36 percent.

In other news from the BioBus annual report, Berke said 84 percent of the budget went directly to educational program delivery, while only two percent was spent on administration.

Click here for a complete copy of the 2007-08 annual report or visit the BioBus web site under News and Special Events.