This document presents a generic modular framework for implementing innovation and commercialization-oriented curricula through scenario-based and experiential learning. The framework is adaptable and scalable, covering topics like opportunity recognition, intellectual property, finance, and business strategy. Assessment includes feasibility reports, presentations, research tasks, and reflective logs. The School of Bioscience applies this framework through student "company teams" that invent marketable biotech products addressing global issues. External speakers provide discipline-relevant content, and weekly plans guide students through a scenario culminating in a feasibility report and company pitch. Feedback indicates the innovative methodology develops students' commercial awareness and employability skills.

1. A scenario based framework for implementing
innovation and commercialisation oriented
curricula embedded learning
Mr. Stuart Abbott, Dr. Zoë Prytherch & Dr.
Kelly BéruBé
Bioscience Dragons with TetraTek – winners of 2013 Bioscience Dragon’s Den

2. Generic module
framework
• Adaptable and scalable generic framework designed to be tailored to the
needs of specific disciplinary or multidisciplinary delivery.
• 12 weeks – loosely grouped into the following (commercialisation process)
topic areas: opportunity recognition and product generation;
intellectual property; financial considerations; business strategy;
marketing.
• Content underpinned and aligned with scenario developments, decision
making, assessment components and external speakers.
• Adaptable framework assessment tasks include: Feasibility report;
Presentation / Pitch; Research tasks and presentations; Reflective
logs and report.

3. Intended transitions
Case studies Emerging situations
Abstract problems Innovation
Passive learning Active learning
Objective analysis Subjective experience
Neutrality Personal perspective
Formal activities Authentic activities
Fearing failure Learning from failure
Dependency Self-reliance & resilience
Work related Work based
For discussion of transitions see: QAA. (September 2012). Enterprise and
entrepreneurship educations guidance for UK higher education providers.

4. School of Bioscience
• Scenario – 3 company teams
‘invent’ a marketable biotech
product solution which
addressed various global
issues.
• Pseudo science allowed –
emphasis on value/benefits of
product and its
commercialisation process.
• ‘Ownership’ instilled via
generation of own product /
solution e.g. cooperation,
competition, industrial secrecy.

5. Pedagogies
Experiential and active learning
• Group based collaborative learning
• Personal responsibility encouraging independent and autonomous learning
Scenario based learning
• Discipline relevant enterprise learning context
• Authentic, immersive, engaging and rich learning content
Problem based learning
• Real world problems, challenges, issues and decisions making
• Extend the scenario – prompt moments of clarity (stakeholder analysis)
Reflective practice
• Learner awareness of the processes involved in developing both the skills
and their understanding of them

6. Kelly’s experience
• Lack of business expertise did not hinder delivery of content due to
generic framework.
• Small chunked content to provide context followed by facilitation of
practical activities designed to develop applied skills.
• External speakers provide the critical discipline relevant content.
• Weekly learning plans and prompts guide staff and students – tied in to
the scenario development culminating in feasibility report and company pitch.
• Task specific marking criteria and prompts + e-submission & feedback allowed
for efficient turn around of coursework.
• Now creating final year BIOSI business course which consolidates this
learning.
• Transitioning to other disciplines will be easy!

7. School of Bioscience
BI2256 Biotechnology and Business
• 2nd year students as part of 4 yr. Biotechnology degree programme.
• Mandatory prior to students entering PTY at a biotech company.
• Two sessions week (1hr company meeting, 2hr presentations/speaker).
• Cohort of 13 students (2012/13) 1st year; rose to 19 in 2nd Year.
• Portfolio (100% coursework) evidences commercial awareness.
• High module evaluations, class averages 71% and 65% (2013/14).
• Module feedback demonstrated strong recognition of the intent, value and
innovative methodology involved in the module delivery and assessment.
• Assessed reflective reports demonstrated clear learning progression.
• Integrated skills and knowledge – Pre & post skills audit showed
improvement.

8. Contribution to Student
Employability
• Weekly research tasks/presentation – “peer-to-peer learning” of content to
develop “independent” and teamwork skills”.
• Students developed understanding of own “professional identities” .
• Company meetings – practical activities to “engendered skills” (analytical
discussion and decision-making, posters, games, self-directed learning).
• Portfolios (feasibility study, reflective reports, research tasks) – evidence of
understanding “commercial awareness” related to biotechnology industry
• Dragon’s Den – Teams “pitching for investment” from returning speakers
• External speakers – Experts within Bioscience industry (Cardiff alumni) –
students identified with and valued enterprise process from “UGs to
successful Entrepreneurs”
• Online submission and feedback – Learning Central key resource (e.g.
reading, multi-media) embedded “IT multi-tasking skills”

9. Contact details
Mr. Stuart Abbott – sabbott@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Dr. Zoë Prytherch – prytherchzc@cf.ac.uk
Dr. Kelly Bérubé – berube@cardiff.ac.uk
Thank you for listening