Organization: MASSACHUSETTS BIOTECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
Mission: MASSBIOED'S MISSION IS TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE LIFE SCIENCES WORKFORCE IN THE REGION THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ENGAGE AND EXCITE TEACHERS, INSPIRE, AND PROPEL STUDENTS, AND ILLUMINATE THE PATHWAY FROM THE CLASSROOM TO CAREERS.
Activities: THE BIOTEACH PROGRAM FOCUSES ON STRENGTHENING THE ABILITY OF TEACHERS TO DELIVER LAB-CENTERED, INQUIRY-BASED LESSONS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THEIR CLASSROOMS. THE PROGRAM INTRODUCES TEACHERS TO BASIC CONCEPTS IN BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY WITH SPECIFIC LABORATORY-BASED CURRICULA DESIGNED FOR TEACHING CONCEPTS. THE PROGRAM OFFERS FREE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS FOR EDUCATORS; TRAINING, CURRICULA, AND ON AND OFF-SITE MENTORING TO NEWLY TRAINED TEACHERS; AND, ASSISTANCE TO TEACHERS WITH CONTENT ACQUISITION, AND PREPARATION AND EXECUTION OF CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES. THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS GRANTS FOR LAB EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS. STUDENTS ARE INTRODUCED TO CAREERS THROUGH CAREER AMBASSADOR VOLUNTEERS WHO VISIT SCHOOLS, AND ENGAGEMENT EVENTS HELD AT COLLEGES AND COMPANIES.IN THE 2018-19 SCHOOL YEAR, BIOTEACH PROVIDED 20 WORKSHOPS FOR 210 TEACHERS FROM 112 SCHOOLS. OVER THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR, 99% OF THESE TEACHERS INCORPORATED NEW BIOTEACH LABS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS. IN ADDITION, 1,082 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN COLLEGE AND CAREER EXPLORATION EVENTS. BIOTEACH HAD EXPENSES OF $674,410 IN 2019. OUR ACCESS (ALIGNED CURRICULAR & CAREER EXPERIENCES FOR SECONDARY SCIENCE) PROGRAM REACHED 520 STUDENTS, AND OUR TOTE (TAKE OUT TRAINING & EQUIPMENT) LENDING PROGRAM REACHED OVER 350 STUDENTS.
BIOTALENT INCLUDED SEVERAL DIFFERENT PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON UNDERSTANDING, BUILDING, AND SUPPORTING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER AWARENESS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:A. JOB TRENDS INITIATIVES PROVIDE JOB TREND ANALYSIS AND A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE INDUSTRY'S WORKFORCE NEEDS IN TERMS OF SKILLS TO EDUCATORS AND THOSE IN INDUSTRY. IN 2019, MASSBIOED PUBLISHED ONE JOB TRENDS REPORT, THE 2019 MASSACHUSETTS LIFE SCIENCES EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK, AND CONVENED THE LIFE SCIENCES WORKFORCE 2019 CONFERENCE IN MAY, WHICH ATTRACTED OVER 220 PARTICIPANTS. B. OUR PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COURSES PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND SOFT SKILLS TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT TO INDIVIDUALS IN THE INDUSTRY. THE COURSES ARE DEVELOPED IN CONJUNCTION WITH INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND INCLUDE BIOTECH 101, BIOTECHNOLOGY PROJECT MANAGEMENT, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. IN 2019, 220 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COURSES.WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES HAD EXPENSES OF $205,344 IN 2019.
THE HENRI A. TERMEER COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED TO MANAGE THE AFFAIRS OF THE PROJECT TO COMMISSION PABLO EDUARDO TO CREATE A SCULPTURE OF HENRI TERMEER FOR PUBLIC VIEWING AND EDUCATION IN TERMEER SQUARE, THE SCULPTURE WILL, AMONG OTHER THINGS, FURTHER THE GREATER PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF BIOTECHNOLOGY AND FOSTER OTHER EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. THE ESTABLISHED HENRI A. TERMEER AWARD HAS TWO COMPONENTS IN THE SPIRIT OF INSPIRING DECADES OF FUTURE DISCOVERIES, DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS, NEW THERAPIES FOR PATIENTS IN NEED AND ETHICAL, ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP IN BIOTECH - STARTING AT THE GRASS ROOTS WITH TEACHERS AND STUDENTS. FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS, THERE IS $50,000 CURRENTLY EARMARKED TO AWARD $5,000 PER YEAR TO 2 AWARDS: (1) THE HENRI A. TERMEER AWARD FOR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS AND (2) THE HENRI A. TERMEER AWARD FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS PURSUING FURTHER EDUCATION IN STEM.
NTEE category: Education
Secondary category: Medical Research