TORONTO, /CNW/ - The University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), in collaboration with the Amgen Foundation and Amgen Canada, is helping transform local science education and ignite a life-long love of science in students in schools across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
|
TORONTO, /CNW/ - The University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), in collaboration with the Amgen Foundation and Amgen Canada, is helping transform local science education and ignite a life-long love of science in students in schools across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE), an international program funded by the Amgen Foundation and led by UTM in Canada, helps empower high school science teachers to implement real-world biotechnology labs in their classrooms, inspiring scientific curiosity. "The scientific literacy that students gain from this program is helping strengthen their understanding of the growing role that science plays in today's society and shape new career possibilities," explains Voula Kanelis, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga. Today, professors from UTM, in conjunction with teachers and students from John Polanyi Collegiate Institute (JPCI), one of 28 schools in Ontario to participate in ABE, hosted an interactive ABE Canada Open House, demonstrating a number of experiments included in the program. Both JPCI teachers and UTM professors were on hand to discuss the impact of ABE. "As a result of ABE, I not only have the opportunity to watch my students explore science and biotechnology in new ways," says Nicole Anthony, teacher, John Polanyi Collegiate Institute. "I also see their increased excitement and confidence. Many of them can now imagine themselves tackling complex scientific questions in the future and making a real difference in areas such as disease and human health." ABE Canada complements the current Ontario curriculum for Grades 11 and 12 Biology. The program provides curriculum material, research-grade equipment and supplies, and professional development to secondary school teachers. "The Amgen Foundation's partnership with UTM has been a vital part of the Amgen Biotech Experience's proven impact in boosting students' interest and confidence in doing science and biotechnology," says Leann Sweeney, Director at Amgen Canada. "The Foundation and UTM are excited to build on this program's proven success and bring hands-on science education to even more students, educators and communities." Quick Facts:
About the Amgen Foundation About Amgen Canada About University of Toronto Mississauga Links: SOURCE Amgen Canada |
