Online Resources for STEM Education

Spurred by recognizing the challenges parents, teachers, and students faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, life science companies and their partners innovated new, creative ways to deliver STEM education and greater flexibility directly to people’s homes.

Companies stepped up during the pandemic by applying the latest scientific expertise to diagnose, treat and prevent COVID-19 while providing students with online learning opportunities that have been shown to help the entire education community stay scientifically engaged.

The following initiatives are a snapshot of programs and free resources that teachers, schools, districts, parents and students can use to expand their STEM knowledge. Many of these programs are California-based or have operations located in the state.

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Biocom Institute

Taking students from science projects
to science careers

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Amgen Foundation

Advancing excellence
in science education

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Illumina

Bringing genomics to
educators and families

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Bayer

Educational resources
for educators AND parents

 

Taking students from science projects
to science careers

Advancing excellence
in science education

Bringing genomics to
educators and families

Educational resources
for educators AND parents

Distance Learning Resources

LabXchange: The Amgen Foundation partnered with Harvard University to launch LabXchange, a free online science education platform that provides educators anywhere access to instruction and virtual lab experiences that they can not only personalize but combine and incorporate with their lesson. By simulating key in-person labs and teaching techniques that were previously only available by being in the classroom, like using the latest technology to correct genetic defects, students can explore a wide range of scientific methods and continue to build their acumen in the sciences as if they were still in the classroom.

Khan Academy: The Amgen Foundation is also the founding biology partner of the Khan Academy, a leading, innovative educational technology platform with demonstrated power to shape and transform how students learn science for kindergarten through early college. The Khan Academy’s free biology lessons offer more than 300 videos, 80 exercise sets and 195 articles, reaching more than three million users each month.

Amgen Biotech Experience: This science education program provides research-grade equipment, supplies, curriculum, and professional development to middle and high schools at no cost. On behalf of Amgen, the Biocom Institute partners with the Southern California Biotechnology Center at Miramar College (SCBC) to administer the program.

The Amgen Foundation will be celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) and announced renewed three year funding for the program of $16.4 million. To date, the ABE program has reached nearly 850,000 students. With this additional funding, Amgen expects the program to exceed 1 million.

Life ScienceXP provides online experiences that exposes, encourages, and deepens K-12 students’ interest and understanding of life science and life science-related careers. Life ScienceXP offers hands-on learning kits for each student, coupled with virtual lessons, and connections to industry professionals.

Illumina Genomic Discoveries empowers teachers and inspires students to unlock the power of genomics through genomics-focused professional development, real-world curriculum and industry connections. Using Illumina’s latest technologies, this comprehensive program allows teachers and students the opportunity to learn and connect with the world of genomics. Teachers can apply for the program HERE.

Virtual High School Internship Program creates or increases awareness of life science careers for high school students by providing industry experience, mentorship, and real, meaningful projects. The internships bring new ideas, technologies, and skills to assist students with their education and increase their exposure and understanding of career pathways in life science.

Genomics 101: At Home is a YouTube channel developed by the Illumina Foundation that shares a variety of topics like what DNA is, how does DNA make us different, where you can see genomics in the world around us, and hands on experiments that can be done at home. Videos can be used for a wide range of grades.

DNA Decoded: Illumina Foundation partnered with Discovery Education to bring teachers DNA Decoded, genomics focused lesson plans aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. These lesson plans are an easy way for teachers to feel supported in bringing the topic of genomics into their classrooms and share the various real-life applications of today’s problems. Modifications have been made to accommodate various types of learning environments.

Exploring Careers in Genomics is a series of career videos highlighting the diverse career opportunities in the field of genomics. These videos and career conversation cards provide a snapshot of in-demand roles at biotechnology companies, including Illumina, including education requirements, average starting salary, and essential job skills teachers can share with their students.

Science at Home: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bayer launched Science at Home, a weekly series that features STEM educational resources for educators and parents to keep kids learning while staying at home.

Bayer Magazine: Bayer also offers the Bayer Magazine, featuring some fun science education content that can be used at home. It will feature weekly themed packages of articles, videos, activities, and experiments parents and your kids can do together.

Internship Program: Bayer is also providing an online high school student internship programs, shifting their annual summer internship program for high school students from an in-person, on-site professional development experience to an all on-line program that involves collaboration between their educational non-profit partner and Bayer industry experts.