Counter Culture Labs

Counter Culture Labs (CCL) is a pioneering nonprofit, open community lab where scientists, technologists, engineers, artists, educators, and citizen science enthusiasts collaborate on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) activities. We are an all volunteer organization with no employees. Our board and officers are elected from and by CCL members. CCL is built on the principles of free and open exchange of information. We aim to harness the power of diversity and peer-to-peer learning for the advancement of STEAM literacy. Our activities originate from our members, and all members are welcome to participate in as many activities as they wish. The mission of CCL is to demystify and democratize technology and science by putting the tools, skills, and knowledge into the hands and minds of those who want to learn. 

Activities at CCL are organized by workshops and projects. DIY (Do It Yourself) workshops include making art, soap, cheese, and fermented foods and drinks. Educational workshops grow member and community knowledge of technical or scientific topics and are developed and presented by members as they want. Projects in the lab include Kombucha Genomics (genomic analysis of complex microbial communities in fermented black tea), Lab Robotics (development of laboratory automation and liquid handling technology), Mycology Projects (identification and phenotypic characterization of fungi), Open Insulin Project (development of an innovative open protocol for insulin production and distribution), Plant Biology (experimentation with conventional and molecular plant and rhizosphere genetics, physiology, and engineering) and Real Vegan Cheese (genetic engineering for vegan production of cheese).

We seek general operational support for the core budgetary requirements to sustain CCL ($50,000 per year). We also seek funding to support individual projects. Project funding needs vary by project and often project development scales with support. All contributions are welcome and prior support for individual projects ranged from in-kind donations to $10,000+.