Amgen launches science education programmes involving DCU
Leading biotechnology company Amgen and its philanthropic arm, the Amgen Foundation, have announced two complementary science education programmes involving Dublin City University–the Amgen Biotech Experience and Amgen Teach.
The programmes support the Irish science school curriculum, providing teachers with the skills and confidence to transform the student experience in learning science.
The Amgen Biotech Experience provides teacher training, molecular biology resources and research grade lab equipment for loan to participating schools. The programme is coordinated by the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute at DCU and Systems Biology Ireland at University College Dublin. It commenced in October 2014 and has reached 19 teachers and over 950 students in its pilot year.
Mr. Joseph McManus, Director of the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, said, “The Amgen Biotech Experience is an excellent initiative that will strengthen our links with schools in the community and bring cutting-edge Irish research to classrooms.”
The Amgen Teach programme was developed in collaboration with CASTeL, DCU and is delivered by an appointed training partner, the Professional Development Service for Teachers. It emphasises hands-on, enquiry-based learning, providing teachers with practical tools they can replicate in the classroom and lab to motivate students.
Over the full three year commitment of the programmes, the Amgen Biotech Experience and Amgen Teach are expected to positively impact approximately 53,000 students and nearly 500 teachers in Ireland.
The Amgen Foundation also supports the Amgen Scholars Programme, which advances science education by providing undergraduates with a cutting-edge summer research experience at world-class third level educational institutions.
Both programmes, together with details of the Amgen Scholars 2015 Ireland recipients, were launched by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, at an event to mark the opening of the new $300 million Amgen facility in Dun Laoghaire yesterday.
Commenting on the programmes, Kerry Ingalls, Amgen Vice President of Regional Manufacturing said, “All three programmes remind us that innovation to improve the lives of patients’ demands partnership between industry, government, public services and academia.”