Manchester STEM Teachers Explore Regenerative Medicine and Biofabrication at UNH Manchester

Over the coming year, seven middle school STEM teachers from the Manchester School District are participating in an innovative professional development program at UNH Manchester focused on regenerative medicine and biofabrication.

The series is part of the Manchester CREATES workforce development initiative, which aims to connect local educators with cutting-edge research and emerging technologies in this rapidly expanding field. Teachers will bring what they learn back to their classrooms, inspiring students to explore future careers in science, technology, and advanced manufacturing.

The most recent session took place on November 4 at UNH Manchester and featured hands-on classroom activities that teachers can easily replicate with their students. Using simple, affordable kitchen-grade materials, participants will explore experiments ranging from chromatography to exothermic reactions—demonstrating that science can be both accessible and engaging.

This past summer, participating teachers also attended the Manchester Tech for Teachers Institute at UNH Manchester—a two-week, paid professional development program designed to deepen understanding of emerging technologies and strengthen project-based learning skills. The affiliated Manchester Tech Camp for middle and high school students aims to spark curiosity and improve STEM/STEAM literacy and identity across the district.

“Manchester is home to a growing number of bioscience companies that will benefit from students skilled in biofabrication, regenerative medicine, and the latest technologies,” says Shannon McCracken-Barber, Director of Manchester CREATES. “By engaging teachers and students in these emerging fields, we’re serving as a conduit between education and industry to ensure Manchester remains at the forefront of scientific innovation and workforce development.”

Manchester CREATES was started in 2023 and is part of NH CREATES, an initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health and launched at UNH Durham in 2020. Funding for Manchester CREATES is provided by the U.S. Economic Development Administration through the Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant awarded to the City of Manchester in September 2022.

The next session will take place January 8, 2026 at UNH Manchester.