As the leading algal-based education nonprofit, the Algae Foundation plays a critical role in workforce development by delivering industry-aligned STEM education that prepares students and educators to meet the growing demands of the bioeconomy, comparable in scope and impact to national laboratory initiatives.
The Algae Foundation (AF) was established by a group of dedicated algal academics, national laboratory scientists, and algal industry leaders.
The Algae Academy and Algae Technology Educational Consortium ATEC) programs were launched, formalizing national education and workforce development efforts.
The Algae Cultivation Extension Shortcourses (ACES) program launched with Part 1: Seaweeds. AF has served: 800+ students
8 K–12 teachers
2 ATEC schools
The Summer Algae Science Institute (SASI) program and ACES Part 2 Microalgae were established. AF has served:
37,000+ students
231 K–12 teachers
7 ATEC schools
The Foundation released its first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), Introduction to Algae. AF has served:
12,000+ students
58 K–12 teachers
5 ATEC schools
The second MOOC, Algae Biotechnology, and the Cultivate program were launched. AF has served:
127,000+ students
925 K–12 teachers
21 ATEC schools
Algae Academy creates virtual curriculum to serve students through COVID. ATEC begins Digital Badging. AF has served:
83,000+ students
541 K–12 teachers
11 ATEC schools
The third MOOC, Introduction to Seaweeds, and the second AlgaePrize (2023-2025) competition were launched. AF has served:
228,000+ students
1,863 K–12 teachers
41 ATEC schools
The new Biology of Algae Laboratory and Seaweed Biology courses were launched. AF has served:
360,000 students
3,191 K–12 teachers
48 ATEC schools
The inaugural AlgaePrize Student Competition (2022–2023) was launched. AF has served:
172,000+ students
1,365 K–12 teachers
31 ATEC schools
The fourth MOOC, Algal Blooms & Proliferations, was launched, and the educational board game Phycoverse was released. AF has served:
6
290,000+ students
2,489 K–12 teachers
46 ATEC schools
