Amgen Foundation funds STEM learning opportunity for BBBSOS

BIG BROTHERS Big Sisters of the Ocean State Big, Charles, and Little, Devyn, show attendees the science of polymers and slime. / COURTESY AMGEN FOUNDATION

WARWICK – Funding for Beyond School Walls, a $35,000 grant, was re-upped by Amgen Foundation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State for the third consecutive year earlier this month.

“The impact of a grant can be far-reaching,” said Tara Urban, senior manager, corporate affairs of Amgen Rhode Island, in a statement. “BSW allows ‘littles’ to be exposed to scientific concepts in a professional setting, where they interact with dozens of positive adult role models, participate in exciting scientific experiments and open their minds to a whole new world of STEM-based opportunities that they may not have known about before participating.”

Most recently, 25 BBBSOS matches participated in Beyond School Walls from October 2017 through June 2018.

In the 15-week program, bigs and littles learn about science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, at Amgen’s Exeter campus from the company’s employees. Hands-on topics of discovery include DNA and forensic science, growing bacteria and electrolysis of water. A showcase, similar to a science fair, concludes the program and allows participants to display to friends and family members what they’ve learned working with Amgen.

- Advertisement -

“Research shows that young adults with a mentor are 130 percent more likely to hold leadership positions, and the consensus among experts is that exposure to the STEM fields provides a critical foundation for opportunity later in life,” said Katje Afonseca, executive director of BBBSOS.

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. The foundation awards grants to local, regional and international nonprofit organizations that are replicable, scalable and designed to have a lasting and meaningful effect in their communities.

Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.

No posts to display