The Life Science Learning Lab “Gläsernes Labor” on the Berlin-Buch campus opened in 1999 and was one of the first learning labs for high school students in Germany. Nationwide, it is now regarded as a prototype for the establishment, focus and sustainability of extracurricular teaching facilities within science and biotechnology parks. According to the motto “experience – comprehension – understanding”, the Life Science Learning Lab offers more than 400 hands-on lab courses for more than 9.300 middle and secondary students in two modern gene labs every year. The courses focus on method competence, motivation and career guidance in life sciences.
The selection of twelve genetic and cell biological experiments is firmly integrated into the biology lessons of almost half of Berlin’s high schools. So students become DNA detectives, meet glowing bacteria or isolate the complete DNA of a tomato. Assistance in career choice and planning is given through further offers, such as a week-long intensive course in molecular biology and a summer academy. In collaboration with the Berlin education board, certified advanced training courses for teachers are also offered.

The Life Science Learning Lab offers an extensive range of further education programmes for the occupational field of life sciences. It is our aim to react quickly to the ever changing requirements in this field. With the development of new advanced training courses for scientists and lab personnel, the Life Science Learning Lab makes an essential contribution to the improvement of life science education. We so provide course participants with a smoother career entry or open up improved career opportunities.    
Our professional competence is rooted in a team of five people, including three scientific coordinators, who are continuously developing new lab courses. Furthermore, a network of 35 didactically trained scientific tutors supports the team and modern laboratory and seminar rooms are on disposal on the Berlin-Buch campus. Because of the close collaboration with the TÜV Akademie and with renowned federal associations, such as the Bundesverband der Pharmazeutischen Industrie (BPI) or the VBIO – Verband Biologie, Biowissenschaften und Biomedizin training courses conclude with certified degrees.

The public is invited to learn more about the latest developments in gene technology at the Learning Lab. The Life Science Learning Lab participates in events such as the Wissenschaftssommer (science summer), Open Houses and thematic science years of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as well as the ScienceFair Berlin and the EURAC Festival in Bolzano/Italy. Every year, we organise the Long Night of the Sciences on the Berlin-Buch campus and draw thousands of visitors. Especially on week-ends, the public can take part in hands-on lab courses and carry out simple genetic experiments.

The Life Science Learning Lab is part of the BBB Management GmbH Campus Berlin-Buch – the management and development company of the science, health and biotechnology park Berlin-Buch.