Hands-on Learning

Amgen Biotech Experience Program Expands to Pittsburgh

The program will equip teachers from Pittsburgh school districts and charter schools with resources for their students to explore biotechnology concepts and engage with research-grade lab equipment.

• By Sara Friedman
• 10/10/19

The Amgen Foundation wants to get Pittsburgh high school students interested in biotechnology. The Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) program will give teachers from Pittsburgh Public Schools, City Charter High School, Propel Charter Schools, Upper St. Clair School District and Bethel Park School District resources to get their students excited about the biotechnology field.

The Citizen Sciences Lab, a local nonprofit, will serve as a hub for the ABE program where high schools teachers can complete four training sessions to learn how implement the program's biotech curriculum in their classrooms.  After the training, teachers will receive a "kit" with lab equipment, supplies and ongoing support.

ABE is a global program with 10 program sites in the U.S. and 20 worldwide. The ABE Pittsburgh program aims to reach 6,000 students in the first school year and 12,000 in the second year.

"Our goal is to create classroom experiences that will inspire students and ignite their interest in careers in science," said Scott Heimlich, vice president of the Amgen Foundation. "The solutions to humanity's biggest challenges—from healthcare to the environment— will be tackled by future scientists, some who may have their passion sparked through the Amgen Biotech Experience."

The ABE Pittsburgh program is supported through a grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation.

Teachers can register for ABE program trainings at two Citizen Science Lab locations here.