What is CELLS?

CELLS stands for Community Enrichment Laboratory for Learning Sciences. We operate a BioMakerSpace (a community bio lab), at the Frederick Innovative Technology Center (FITCI) in Frederick, MD. We currently offer workshops to the public and mentoring. Most of our workshops are lab based. We offer interdisciplinary workshops that utilize the FITCI conference room as a classroom and the FITCI MakerSpace.

Can I do my own project or research in the CELLS BioMakerSpace?

We are working on options to allow personal projects or research at the BioMakerSpace. If you are interested in this option, please contact us.

Who comes to CELLS?

CELLS strives to nurture a community that includes people from all backgrounds: from those who are still in school or last took biology in high school to professional scientists, and even artists and citizen scientists.  Anyone from the public is welcome to participate. 

Can I visit?

Yes, you can visit us by contacting us to make an appointment. We are working on a schedule for consistent open lab hours. For group visits, please contact us to arrange a time. Currently we can host small groups in the lab (under 10).

CELLS Code of Conduct

CELLS is a safe place, where we encourage respectful discussions to promote productivity, strength, and collaboration. CELLS welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds and identities. The CELLS Code of Conduct outlines our expectations of visitors and members. By attending, you agree to act in good faith to maintain an environment of inclusion, safety, and open dialogue.

Visitors and Membership

How do I become a member?

Currently, you can visit the lab by appointment only and sign up for scheduled classes. We are working on setting a schedule of open lab hours. If you decide to work on an activity during your visit there will be a small day pass fee that covers the consumables and utilizing the lab space. We are working on our monthly and annual membership options and membership agreement and will update this section as soon as those are available.

To work independently during our open lab hours you will need to take our safety training and orientation. Contact us for more details and to arrange a time to complete the orientation and safety training.

Youth Guidelines (Under 18)

BioMakerSpace Lab: 6th grade and up

CELLS welcomes young scientists in middle school and up interested in using our lab space for science fair and mentorship projects. To ensure safety and proper supervision, we have specific requirements for members under 18:

• A parent, legal guardian, qualified mentor, or CELLS trained staff member must accompany and directly supervise minors at all time

• Both the minor and their supervising adult must pass our safety certification test

• All projects require approval before work can begin

• Qualified mentors and CELLS staff, who are not the parents or legal guardians of the minors they supervise, must pass a background check and training to work with minors. Please, contact us to make appropriate arrangements.

CELLS BioMakerSpace maintains a Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1) lab. These requirements ensure all members can safely participate in and contribute to our community.

Classes and Activities in the Conference Room:

Youth K-6th grade will have the opportunity to participate in age appropriate, safe activities and classes held in the large conference room. Please, keep an eye on our schedule for those offerings.

Safety

Isn’t allowing people to work in a biology lab dangerous?

Our main BioMakerSpace functions at a Biosafety Level – 1 (BSL-1), which is equivalent to what you would find in a high school biology lab. We require all our members to undergo safety orientation.

Community Projects

What is a Community Project?

Community projects are member led and participant driven group projects that meet regularly to collaborate. We are currently working on the logistics to enable community projects and will update this sections as soon as we are ready to host community projects.