Trinity Prep is introducing 12 new curriculum offerings into the 2026-2027 school year. One of these is Honors Seminar Biotechnology I & II, a two-semester honors course offered to students after taking AP Biology. This exciting project-based course will prepare and inspire future STEM students.
“The 1st semester Honors Biotech I will primarily focus on basic biotech techniques and lab skills,” AP Biology teacher Bryan Moretz said. “We’re going to be building upon some of the things that we do in the AP Bio. Then, in Honors Biotech II, we go into more advanced skills.”
Some of the projects in the course include gel-electrophoresis, primary chain reaction (PCR), and western blots.
“At the end of the second semester, they have the opportunity to take the biotechnology aptitude certification exam, which is a nationwide industry-recognized exam,” Moretz said. “That is going to be a great thing to put on their college resumes and a show off that they have these skill sets, so they can be really productive in a biotech career.”
Many of the students taking the course are looking to study in the field of STEM. And they are excited for the opportunity that taking the course will give them.
“It’s gonna teach me a lot of skills necessary as a foundation that I could have for when I go to college,” sophomore Leonardo Nina said. “I could actually use these things, since my goal is to become a scientist. Also, it’s gonna be a good start since I’m a sophomore, and I will be taking it in my senior year.”
This course has been about 3 years in the making — Moretz and the science department chair Dr. Romina Jannotti worked tirelessly to perfect the course. Moretz holds a degree in Biotechnology, and last summer, he took a course on how to use his biotechnology skills in a classroom setting. Moretz is eager to start the class and excited to see what the year has in store.
“(I am most excited for) the CRISPR gene editing (unit),” Moretz said. “We are going to be doing some transformations where we’ll put genes from one organism into another, and I think that’s really exciting to do. This will all be under very safe and monitored conditions. But it’s a great opportunity to try new things.”
