Workshops, Courses, & Events at SoundBio Lab
Explore hands-on biotech and life science STEAM classes at Seattle’s community biology makerspace! All of our offerings are suitable for total beginners unless clearly stated in the description. Participants must be at least 12 years old.
SoundBio Lab members get 50% off all courses and workshops! Our fees go to keeping our community science space open and operational. But we don’t want anyone to miss out due to their financial situation - If our fees pose a significant barrier to your participation, request a fee waiver.
If you purchase a ticket and are unable to attend, please email workshops@sound.bio or courses@sound.bio to receive a credit reimbursement that you can apply to a future event. Similarly, if workshop or course is cancelled, we’ll issue a credit you can exchange for a future event.
Click on any event in the calendar to learn more and register!
Workshops
Our 2-3 hour workshops let you practice pipetting skills, extract DNA, run PCR and gel electrophoresis, learn microscopy, culture bacteria, and experiment with real molecular biology techniques used in research, medicine, and ecology, perfect for beginners, adults, and youth science learners. Workshops typically cost $30 per person.
Strawberry DNA extracted!
Students preparing gel for electrophoresis at the Intro to PCR workshop
Courses
Our multi-week courses provide deeper training in biotechnology, genetic engineering, molecular biology, CRISPR, synthetic biology, microbial ecology, and DNA analysis. Whether you're building hands-on lab skills or transitioning into biotech, our expert-led science classes give you practical experience with real-world workflows. Courses meet weekly for 2-3 hour sessions over 4-6 weeks and range from $150-$400.
2025 Biomanufacturing Course
2026 Synthetic Biology Course
Example Workshops and Courses
Pipetting
Have you ever wondered how a micropipette works or why it is essential for all molecular biologists? In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the essentials of pipetting and become master micropipettors.
Skill level: Beginner Time: 1 hour
PAINTING WITH BACTERIA
Come merge your artistic and scientific sides! In this workshop, we will explore how we can use fluorescent proteins to make art and understand how they are used across science. We will discuss the steps of bacterial transformation and its importance in biotechnology.
Skill level: Beginner Time: 1.5-2 hours
polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Learn about the structure and function of DNA and explore the process that allows scientists to turn one DNA molecule into billions inside a tiny tube (PCR). Use electricity and porous gels to separate DNA molecules by size (electrophoresis).
Skill level: Beginner Time: 2-2.5 hours
STRAWBERRY DNA EXTRACTION
Learn the basics of DNA structure and function. You will apply your knowledge to extract DNA from strawberries, following the same principles scientists use to extract DNA from their samples.
Skill level: Beginner Time: 2 hours
minipreps
In this workshop, you will discuss plasmids (small circular pieces of DNA in bacteria), why bacteria use them, and how scientists use them in the lab. Learn how plasmid DNA differs from genomic DNA, and extract plasmid DNA.
Skill level: Beginner Time: 1.5-2 hours
Thank you to 4Culture for sponsoring free access to workshops, courses, and seminars!