Biogen Idec Foundation Funds Teacher Interns

The Biogen Idec Foundation has donated $25,000 to support three teachers from San Diego public schools in The Scripps Research Institute's Summer Internship Program for Teachers. During the eight-week internship, each teacher intern will conduct basic biomedical research in a laboratory under the supervision of a Scripps Research scientist.

"Study after study has found that American schools fall short in helping students achieve scientific literacy," said Jeffrey Kelly, the institute's vice president for Academic Affairs. "A critical element in improving science education is effective teacher training. We want to express our deep appreciation to the Biogen Idec Foundation for awarding a $25,000 grant for the first time to the Scripps Research summer internship program for middle and high school teachers."

The Scripps Research program emphasizes the scientific process, research planning, bench experience, experimental design, data analysis, and interaction with laboratory personnel. In addition to their day-to-day responsibilities, summer interns will attend specially designed programs and field trips, and will present their work at a final program attended by faculty, family, friends, donors, and school officials.

In addition to an intensive, hands-on, eight-week summer experience, teachers are expected to use the laboratory experience as a springboard to create and enhance their curriculum for their students and to become resources for other educators.

"Our mission is to improve the quality of people's lives and contribute to the vitality of the communities where we operate, with a special emphasis on innovative ways to promote science literacy and encourage young people to consider science careers," said Kathryn R. Bloom, director of the Biogen Idec Foundation.  

"Providing teachers with up-to-date, real-world science learning experiences fits nicely with this mission and we're pleased to be partnering with a first-rate program and world-class institution like Scripps Research—it seemed a logical fit."

"Local initiatives, such as this one, help develop and train the workforce of the future to help us achieve our mission of pioneering therapeutics for patients in need," said Jim Mullen, president and CEO of Biogen Idec.

Biogen Idec focuses on neurology, oncology, and immunology. It is a leader in the area of multiple sclerosis; discovered and co-market the leading therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; and is developing much-needed treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other inflammatory diseases. Biogen Idec has operations in Cambridge, Massachusetts; San Diego; and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The Biogen Idec Foundation was established in 2004.

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

"A critical element in improving science education is effective teacher training."

—Jeffrey Kelly