Mash-Up Practice Sessions 2026: Building Skills for Biomanufacturing

Students from Sutton High School, Bartlett High School, Nipmuc Regional High School, and B.M.C. Durfee High School participated in the 2026 Mash-Up Practice Sessions to prepare for this year’s event, which focuses on biomanufacturing.

Through hands-on activities, students practiced foundational laboratory and production skills, including accurate measurement, liquid handling, micropipetting, documentation, and teamwork. They also worked on communicating their findings and defending their results.

Students had varying levels of experience with the equipment they will use during the Mash-Up. While some were using it for the first time, others had prior experience. Most students quickly grasped the techniques and drew sound conclusions from the practice activities.

Introducing Good Manufacturing Practices

As part of this year’s biomanufacturing theme, students are being introduced to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). GMP encompasses the standards, procedures, and controls used to help ensure that products such as medicines, food, and medical devices are manufactured safely and consistently.

During the practice sessions and the Mash-Up, students will explore key GMP principles:

• Accuracy: Measuring specific volumes and using equipment correctly.

• Consistency: Repeating measurements and comparing results.

• Verification: Using weight to independently check a measured volume.

• Documentation: Recording actual measurements rather than expected results.

• Following Procedures: Using specified equipment and techniques.

• Quality Awareness: Recognizing when a result needs to be checked.
  

These practices reflect the importance of precision, reliable documentation, and quality control in real-world manufacturing. Students are learning not only how to perform technical tasks, but also how to evaluate their results and communicate their conclusions—skills that are essential in biomanufacturing and other scientific fields.