Amgen Foundation Announces New Grant to Bring Hands-on Labs to Thousands of Rhode Island High School Students

The Amgen Foundation will invest more than $4 million to strengthen the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) program across the United States, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom and Ireland over the next two years. This includes awarding $100,000 to the University of Rhode Island (URI) to continue empowering Rhode Island teachers to inspire the next generations of scientists by giving their high school students access to the same lab equipment used by research scientists in the field today. Nearly 14,000 students and hundreds of science educators across Rhode Island have participated in the Amgen program since 2007.

The new funds will provide these resources to over 60 classrooms across 40 Rhode Island schools. Angie Marcks, a junior at URI, said ABE gave her the confidence to pursue science in college. “The hands-on components of ABE were much better than what was offered in other science courses I had taken. They are really what turned me on to science as a potential career.”

“The Amgen Biotech Experience is the result of a collaboration between Amgen scientists and science teachers,” said Eduardo Cetlin, president, Amgen Foundation. “Over the past 25 years, that vision has evolved into a cutting-edge scientific experience that will not only open students’ eyes to biotechnology, but also help them discover what it takes to be a real scientist.”

The University of Rhode Island, which oversees the operation of ABE in Rhode Island, said the program has ignited a passion for science in many students. “This program gives students that ‘aha’ experience, showing them that science can be cool and exciting,” said Gregory Paquette, director, ABE-Rhode Island.

This innovative, hands-on approach to science is catching the eye of Rhode Island House Speaker, Nick Mattiello. On Oct. 22, Speaker Mattiello, will visit Cranston West High School to see first-hand how ABE is demystifying science for students and inspiring many to consider pursuing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degrees in college.

"We must ensure all students in Rhode Island have access to the quality education they need to succeed in the 21st century,” said Speaker Mattiello. “Innovative programs like ABE are key to creating a pipeline of well-trained, well-educated workers that will ultimately attract companies and jobs to the area.”

Visit www.amgeninspires.com to read more about how this new funding will strengthen ABE across all its regions, and watch this short video to hear what teachers and students are saying about ABE.

About the Amgen Foundation

The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance excellence in science education to inspire the next generation of innovators, and invest in strengthening communities where Amgen staff members live and work. To date, the Foundation has donated over $200 million to local, regional, and international nonprofit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. . The Amgen Foundation brings the excitement of discovery to the scientists of tomorrow through several signature programs, including Amgen Scholars, Amgen Biotech Experience, and Amgen Teach. For more information, visit www.amgeninspires.com and follow us on Twitter @AmgenFoundation.

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Megan Fleming

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