# Archived Information

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# GlaxoSmithKline

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# **GlaxoSmithKline's Science Education Strategy**

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a world leading research-based pharmaceutical
company with a powerful combination of skills and resources. Our mission
is to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more,
feel better and live longer. One way that GSK contributes to improving
the quality of human life is through our commitment to excellence in
science education.

**GOAL AREAS**

The GSK Science Education Strategy addresses two goals areas of the U.S.
Department of Education's Mathematics and Science Initiative: Engaging
the Public and Improving Teacher Knowledge.

**SUMMARY**

The GSK Science Education Strategy is a portfolio of activities with two
purposes:

-   To provide science context to students and teachers

-   To enhance science teaching

The activities in the portfolio are balanced to meet the needs of a
particular geographic area of implementation. The programs in the
portfolio are a mixture of student participation, professional
development of science teachers and interactions with scientists, in
both formal and informal science settings. GSK may provide leadership,
scientist's time, in kind support and/or financial contribution, as
appropriate for each program. The portfolio undergoes periodic
evaluation.

**PURPOSE**

**Giving Science Context:**

Through the involvement of GSK scientists with students and teachers and
by supporting student-participation programs, GSK contributes to the
development of student knowledge, understanding and
technical/interpersonal skills in science. Students are motivated to
become aware of and to choose science careers. Student contact with
scientists in science settings helps put science into context. Gaining
science context in real world settings and through the integration of
science with other curriculum areas such as, math, language arts and
social studies, adds relevance to student learning.

**Enhancing Science Teaching:**

High quality science instruction is a key to increasing student
achievement in science and for closing the minority achievement gap, as
intended by the Science for All Children model developed by the National
Science Resources Center (NSRC) with support from National Science
Foundation and other sources. The interaction of GSK scientists with
teachers boosts the relevance of science to science teaching. GKS
contributes funding support and leadership to the science-related
professional development of teachers.

**ACCOMPLISHMENTS/RESULTS**

By managing activities as a portfolio, GSK can ensure that local needs
are considered and that we are supporting science education in a
coherent manner. Implementation of this strategy has resulted in more
efficient use of time and resources. Specific accomplishments and
results are shared in the descriptions of individual programs.

## PLANS FOR NEXT 12 MONTHS

GSK will continue to evaluate and refine our portfolio of science
education activities. We will continue to develop our communication plan
around the importance of high quality science education. We will
participate in local, state, regional and national conversations on
achieving high quality science and mathematics instruction for our
students.