The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) and the North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research (NCABR) have collaborated to release an updated edition of its widely used Rx for Science Literacy: K-12 curriculum now featuring an enriched focus on regenerative medicine designed to inspire students and strengthen North Carolina’s future biomedical workforce.
The regenerative medicine content was developed through a collaboration between NCABR and WFIRM and informed by input from WFIRM scientists under guidance of Joan F. Schanck, MPA, chief educational program officer at WFIRM. The resource continues to play a central role in supporting North Carolina’s high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) course, BH 11 Biomedical Technology, where the manual comprises approximately 40% of the required curriculum.
“Our goal with this expanded content and collaboration with WFIRM is to implement the regenerative medicine package straight to the classroom, where we can engage younger minds with biomedical research,” explained Suzanne W. Wilkison, president of NCABR.
As regenerative medicine continues to transform how diseases and injuries are treated, introducing students to this field at the high school level plays a critical role in workforce development. The updated curriculum provides educators with hands-on learning opportunities, case examples and insights into technologies that support career pathways for technicians, researchers, clinicians and biomanufacturing professionals — many of whom will be trained and employed within North Carolina.