BioQUEST's 35th Anniversary

"My favorite part about the BQ community is that I know I can call someone for resources, ideas, interview preps etc. and they will be there in a heartbeat to help. They are really dedicated to helping everyone succeed in whatever way they can."

"I met amazing people who influenced my thinking not only about biological inquiry but about history, art, anthropology, and much more. For me, that was one of the wonders of BioQUEST, there were no limits to what could be explored or to how such explorations could inform biology teaching."

"I wanted to become a better teacher, use case studies, and learn from others. I was looking for sources of inspiration for lessons, sound pedagogy... and mentorship. I was walking the hallway of this beautiful building after checking in. As I turned the corner, I crashed into Pat Marsteller! [...] By the end of that day, I was playing bumper cars on awesome green chairs in an amazing active learning room. Importantly, I was invited into this welcoming community. Years later, we reconnect and it always feels the same: like we have been away for just a couple of days."

"BioQUEST has never been afraid to change, to really serve the community in meaningful ways and in particular to explore what’s possible. I told people that BioQUEST was aptly named, as I envisioned us as exploring the possible pathways for science education reform, reporting back to the community about likely pathways, and building bridges to help anyone try new approaches [...] A BioQUEST summer workshop 'only' lasted 5-10 days, but the presentations, resources and philosophical discussions provided fodder for a year’s worth of rumination."

"Mid-way through the workshop, when we were all huddled inside a bathroom (yes, you read it right) taking shelter from a tornado “whizzing by,” and the project ideas were coming together in the working groups, I realized that I have found my professional tribe! I have grown to be a better educator because of my collaborations with many passionate colleagues that I met in the BioQUEST summer workshops since then!"

"BioQUEST helped me form my identity as a teacher in important ways. It took me a while to get my feet underneath me before I started going to BioQUEST workshops, before I was ready for them, because they challenge you in a lot of ways. Over the years, it’s been good to be challenged, and to feel I’m in a comfortable space and community to be challenged and make improvements and to offer some reflection, as well. People who come back year after year are capable of doing that."

"Every BioQUEST meeting, whether summer institute, workshops at all kinds of societies, or board meetings was a bit like a family reunion. You discover long lost cousins, new in-laws and lots of people from the past. Excitement bubbles as everyone finds new friends and hugs old ones. BioQUEST became my family for making change happen and for staring revolutions in biology education. Every year there were old friends and new people who really wanted to make a difference! NEW PROJECTS EMERGED FROM EVERY MEETING. I LOVE THESE PEOPLE!"

"I owe my professional growth to the BioQUEST community. I have worn many hats as a staff member largely because BioQUEST encouraged me into new roles, to develop new skills, and then provided support while I learned."

"Once upon a time, a young(ish) PhD student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison stumbled blindly from her Geoscience department ... She found the Crow Institute for the Study of Evolution, and not only that, but they had an Outreach and Education committee! Kristin Jenkins, head of that committee...asked for volunteers to assist with a 5-day K-12 teacher workshop. Deb raised her hand and the rest is history.."

"Being part of the 35th anniversary BioQUEST Celebration yesterday brought back a lot of beautiful memories of BioQUEST. My first BioQUEST was in 2014 at the insistence of my colleague Dan Ward. I have attended many meetings since then - spanning North Carolina to Michigan to Pittsburgh.."