Bringing De-Extinction to the Classroom: How Colossal is Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists and Conservationists

When middle school teacher feedback reaches Colossal Biosciences about students who once dreamed of becoming influencers now aspiring to be genome engineers, it’s clear that something extraordinary is happening in classrooms across the country. This fall, Colossal brought the science of de-extinction directly to students through two groundbreaking educational webinars, reaching thousands of young minds eager to understand how ancient DNA and cutting-edge biotechnology are reshaping conservation.

Sparking Big Ideas: Beth Shapiro and the OER Project

On October 16, Dr. Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s Chief Science Officer and MacArthur Fellow, joined the OER Project for a conversation exploring the technical, ethical, and ecological dimensions of de-extinction. The webinar came at a meaningful moment—just days after Romulus and Remus, the world’s first dire wolves born in 12,500 years, celebrated their first birthday.

During the session, Shapiro walked educators and students through the seven-step process of bringing dire wolves back, from extracting DNA from ancient fossils to the final embryo transfer into surrogate mothers. But beyond the technical marvel, she addressed something deeper: the role of hope in science education.

Shapiro noted that many students had been disengaged with environmental challenges because “every headline out there is negative and there’s nothing that they can do.” The dire wolf announcement, however, provided a different narrative—one where cutting-edge tools offer agency in addressing the ongoing extinction crisis.

The webinar tackled complex ethical questions head-on. When asked about the “playing God” critique, Shapiro pointed out that humans have been influencing evolutionary outcomes since moving out of Africa, through domestication, agriculture, and conservation decisions about which species survive and where. What genome engineering tools provide, she explained, is the ability to make more informed, precise decisions to repair the damage humans have caused.

One striking example comes from Colossal’s thylacine de-extinction research: helping Australia’s endangered northern quoll survive the deadly cane toad toxin. In partnership with the University of Melbourne, Colossal is developing a genetically modified quoll with a single amino acid change—based on a protein found in mammals that can safely eat toxic amphibians. This work shows how de-extinction technology can protect living species facing urgent threats.

Live from the Field: Matt James and CNN’s Call to Earth Week

The educational momentum continued on November 5, when Matt James, Colossal’s Chief Animal Officer, joined Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants during CNN’s Call to Earth Week for a 45-minute live classroom event. Classrooms across North America tuned in to hear directly from the person responsible for the daily care and welfare of the dire wolves.

James brought the science to life with exclusive footage. Students watched the dire wolves experiencing their first snow at three months old, observed their social dynamics developing at five months, and saw them celebrate their first birthday with a special carnivore-appropriate cake made of beef and organic vegetables. Despite being clones of each other, Romulus and Remus displayed distinct personalities, with the smaller Remus establishing himself as the alpha.

James shared that the dire wolf work took approximately 18 months from project launch to birth, and from four embryo transfer attempts, three healthy pups were born. The pups grew remarkably fast, going from one pound at birth to over 120 pounds in just 13 months.

The session also highlighted Colossal’s broader conservation work. James introduced students to the Red “Ghost” Wolf cloning effort—four pups including Neka Kayda, Blaze, Cinder, and Ash—which will help restore genetic diversity to the world’s most endangered wolf population. Students learned how Colossal works across more than 45 endangered species, including the functionally extinct northern white rhino, where just two females, Najin and Fatu, exist today. 

When students asked about career paths, James emphasized the diverse disciplines at Colossal—from molecular biology and genetics for lab work to ecology for field-based conservation—and confirmed that the company offers summer internships, primarily for college students but occasionally for high schoolers.

The Ripple Effect: From Fantasy to Reality

Both webinars addressed the cultural phenomenon surrounding the dire wolves. The species, made famous by George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones,” captured public imagination in a way that few scientific achievements do. During the OER webinar, video footage of the ivory-furred pups—with their pointed snouts, golden eyes, and unmistakable wolf howls—demonstrated that these weren’t CGI creations or fantasy creatures, but living animals walking the Earth again after 12,500 years.

This blend of pop culture appeal and genuine scientific breakthrough proved powerful in classroom settings. Teachers reported that students who had been disinterested in environmental issues suddenly engaged with genetics, evolution, and ecology when the story involved bringing back a species they recognized from their favorite show.

Building Foundations for Tomorrow

The impact extends beyond momentary excitement. As one educator reported, students in their class shifted aspirations from becoming influencers to pursuing careers as genome engineers after learning about the dire wolf work. This represents exactly the kind of inspiration Colossal aims to generate: young people who see themselves as part of solving the extinction crisis rather than passive observers of environmental decline.

James captured this mission succinctly: Colossal not only works to prevent extinction but also inspires people to get involved in conservation. These webinars demonstrated that when students understand the science behind de-extinction—from sequencing ancient genomes to engineering specific traits to caring for newborn pups—they begin to see themselves as potential contributors to this work.

Looking Ahead

As Colossal continues advancing its work on woolly mammoths, Tasmanian tigers, dodos, moas and other species, educational outreach remains central to the mission. The fall webinars proved that students are hungry for this knowledge and ready to engage with both the exciting possibilities and complex ethical questions that de-extinction raises.

For educators interested in bringing these conversations into their classrooms, Shapiro emphasized the importance of giving students the tools to understand technologies like genetic engineering and GMOs, especially when doing “weird, sometimes controversial, but exciting things that are at the cutting edge of what’s possible”.

The next generation of conservation scientists, genome engineers, and wildlife biologists may well include students who first encountered Colossal through these webinars—inspired by the howl of a dire wolf, the story of the red wolf getting a second chance, or the simple realization that extinction doesn’t have to be forever.

For educators interested in staying informed about future educational opportunities, visit colossal.com/education and subscribe to our newsletter.