United Way, Life Sciences industry launch after-school effort

BOSTON -- The Life Sciences industry today joined with United Way of Massachusetts Bay to launch a new effort to develop and expand math, science and technology curriculum in after-school programs. United Way is partnering with the Life Sciences industry to foster a lifelong curiosity in the sciences and to prepare young people for rewarding careers in math, science and technology-based industries. The pilot program was unveiled this morning during an event at the Museum of Science featuring a “who’s who” of life sciences professionals. UWMB is collaborating with the Life Sciences industry as well as civic, academic and business partners to develop a replicable program model that integrates science education into the fabric of after-school programming.

“Together, we can be catalysts in our communities by addressing the need for more exposure to math, science and technology learning outside the classroom,” said Marian L. Heard, president and CEO of United Way of Massachusetts Bay. “This project will stimulate the interest and desire of young people to become active, able learners – helping them to develop the assets they need to become the workforce of the future.”

The multi-phased initiative will begin this fall with a focus on middle school youth in the Cambridge and Somerville school districts. EPIX Medical and Houghton Mifflin are the founding sponsors of this project. Other top sponsors include Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo P.C.,Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Palmer & Dodge. UWMB envisions the future expansion of this effort to include programs in additional communities, summer activities and roles for high school and post high-school young adults.

This initiative can also have an impact on the future of the industry,” said Michael D. Webb , President & CEO at EPIX. “Encouraging interest in the sciences through a formal, replicable curriculum and exposing young people to potential career opportunities in the Life Sciences field is an investment in the future workforce of our industry.”

“This effort will offer scientists and other life sciences professionals with more avenues to serve as mentors and role models for children,” said Edward J. Benz, Jr., M.D., President & CEO, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “Math, science and technology offer great opportunities for our youth, and yet this seems to be an overlooked path for many students.” Attendees heard from a real-life example of the power of such mentoring. 17-year old North Attleboro High School student, Mason Hedberg. Earlier this spring, Hedberg was awarded the top prize in the National Intel Science Talent Search – a $100,000 college scholarship for his discovery of a faster way to test whether a compound can be effective in killing cancer cells. He’s also about to start an internship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

“I have realized the importance of not only having an early interest in science, but also the resources to nurture it,” Hedberg told the life sciences business leaders this morning. “If high school researchers have ideas and goals, which they can explain and substantiate, scientists and corporations will generously help make them a reality.”

A key, strategic component to this work is curriculum development. United Way is partnering with TERC, a Cambridge-based non-profit education research and development organization whose mission is to improve mathematics, science and technology teaching and learning. TERC will work with United Way to develop and adapt a replicable after-school math and science curriculum that aligns with in-school standards.

Partners during the pilot phase of this initiative are the East End House, Cambridge Community Center and the Elizabeth Peabody House in Somerville’s Winter Hill neighborhood. These agencies were chosen based on their solid track records of achievement in after-school programming, their interest and commitment in developing a science education component to their programming, and their demonstrated flexibility and creativity.

The new pilot is part of UWMB’sfocus on developing the assets inherent in all youth by reinforcing and enriching academic learning and, providing crucial development of life skills so that kids are better prepared to graduate high school with opportunities to flourish.