Category Archives: Press Release

NCABR collaborates with Biogen Foundation to assist teachers from economically distressed counties

RALEIGH (Oct. 4, 2016) — The North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research (NCABR) is excited to announce a collaboration with the Biogen Foundation that will send teachers and administrators from some of North Carolina’s most economically distressed counties to this year’s Bridging the Gap STEM education conference for free.

Through the Biogen Scholars Program, the Biogen Foundation is covering registration fees for 30 K-12 teachers and 20 K-12 administrators who work in 16 Tier 1 counties across the state. Tier 1 counties have been deemed North Carolina’s most economically distressed by the state Department of Commerce.

The 30 K-12 teachers who are participating in the Biogen Scholars Program also will receive travel stipends and reimbursement for costs associated with substitute teachers needed during the two-day conference.

“The Biogen Foundation wants to spark a passion for science and STEM fields among students across North Carolina,” said Gena Renfrow, North Carolina administrator of the Biogen Foundation. “We know that investing in our teachers is one of the most important and effective ways to reach our future science leaders.”

Teachers and administrators from the following Tier 1 counties have been selected to participate in the 2016 Biogen Scholars Program: Beaufort; Bertie; Columbus; Edgecombe; Hertford; Jackson; Lenoir; Martin; McDowell; Nash; Pasquotank; Robeson; Rutherford; Scotland; Vance; and Warren.

K-12 teachers and administrators who attend Bridging the Gap also will be eligible to apply for funding for their schools through the Biogen Foundation’s Ignite the Power of STEM program, which provides grants to support STEM education programs and resources.

Bridging the Gap is an annual conference organized by NCABR. It brings together representatives from K-12 education, higher education, industry, state and local government, and other groups, such as museums and economic development nonprofits. Attendees share ideas and resources toward a common goal of strengthening science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, education throughout North Carolina at the K-12 and college levels.

The fifth annual edition of Bridging the Gap will be held Oct. 25-26, 2016, at the McKimmon Conference & Training Center in Raleigh. Since 2012, more than 1,440 educators, thought leaders, policymakers, industry representatives and others have attended from 81 North Carolina counties and 20 states. The Biogen Foundation is the presenting sponsor of this year’s conference.

NCABR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by the leaders in North Carolina’s bioscience research community. NCABR’s members and supporters include academia, industry, government, nonprofit research organizations and professional societies.

The mission of the Biogen Foundation is to provide access to science education and essential human services to children and their families in the communities in which Biogen operates. The Foundation is committed to sparking a passion for science and discovery, supporting effective science education initiatives, and strengthening efforts to make science education and science careers accessible to diverse populations. The Foundation seeks to inspire the next generation of scientists who will tackle the challenging issues of tomorrow. It wants young people to know that science is fun, science is for everyone, and that they can change the world through science.

More information about:

 

NCABR media contact

Suzanne Wilkison

NCABR President

swilkison@ncabr.org

919.785.1304 x 207

 

Biogen Foundation media contact

Gena Renfrow

North Carolina Administrator

gena.renfrow@biogen.com

919.993.6023

 

###

NCABR collaborates with Biogen Idec Foundation to assist teachers from economically distressed counties

RALEIGH (Aug. 6, 2014) — The North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research (NCABR) is excited to announce a collaboration with the Biogen Idec Foundation that will send teachers from North Carolina’s most economically distressed counties to this year’s Bridging the Gap STEM education conference for free.

Through the Biogen Idec Foundation Scholars program, the Biogen Idec Foundation will cover registration fees and travel costs for 40 K-12 teachers who work in Tier 1 counties. Tier 1 counties have been deemed North Carolina’s most economically distressed by the state Department of Commerce.

“Science is for everyone,” said Machelle Sanders, North Carolina trustee of the Biogen Idec Foundation. “The Biogen Idec Foundation wants to spark a passion for science and STEM fields among children across North Carolina. We know that investing in our teachers is one of the most important and effective ways to reach our future science leaders.”

K-12 teachers and administrators who attend Bridging the Gap also will be eligible to apply for special funding for their schools to support STEM education programs and resources.

Bridging the Gap is an annual conference organized by NCABR. It brings together representatives from K-12 education, higher education, industry, state and local government, and other groups, such as museums and economic development nonprofits. Attendees share ideas and resources toward a common goal of strengthening science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, education throughout North Carolina at the K-12 and college levels.

The third annual edition of Bridging the Gap will be held Oct. 28-29, 2014, at the McKimmon Conference & Training Center, in Raleigh. Over the past two years, more than 650 educators, thought leaders, policymakers, industry representatives and others have attended. The Biogen Idec Foundation is the presenting sponsor of this year’s conference.

NCABR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by the leaders in North Carolina’s bioscience research community. NCABR’s members and supporters include academia, industry, government, nonprofit research organizations and professional societies.

The Biogen Idec Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of peoples’ lives and contribute to the vitality of the communities in which Biogen Idec operates. The Foundation focuses on STEM education and is committed to sparking a passion for science and discovery, supporting innovative STEM initiatives, and strengthening efforts to make science accessible to diverse populations.

More information about:

List of Tier 1 North Carolina counties

Alleghany • Anson • Beaufort • Bertie • Bladen • Burke • Caldwell • Camden • Caswell • Chowan • Clay • Columbus • Edgecombe • Gates • Graham • Greene • Halifax • Hertford • Hoke • Hyde • Jackson • Jones • Lenoir • Martin • Mitchell • Montgomery • Northampton • Pasquotank • Perquimans • Richmond • Robeson • Rockingham • Rutherford • Scotland • Surry • Swain • Tyrrell • Vance • Warren • Washington • Wilson

 

NCABR media contact

Derek Howles

Director of Communications & Digital Media

dhowles@ncabr.org

919.785.1304 x 206

 

Biogen Idec Foundation media contact

Gena Renfrow

RTP Representative

gena.renfrow@biogenidec.com

919.993.6023

###

Science advocacy group partners with Novozymes to educate K–12 teachers

RALEIGH (June 26, 2012) — The North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research (NCABR) is excited to announce the expansion of its acclaimed science education workshop series to the North American headquarters of a leading biotechnology company.

On Thursday, June 28, the Franklinton, N.C., campus of Novozymes will host its first-ever workshop in NCABR’s Rx for Science Literacy series. Dozens of K–12 science educators from throughout North Carolina will attend the free workshop, titled Biotechnology Research & Careers, where they will go behind the scenes to get an up-close look at Novozymes’ groundbreaking biotech research.

The teachers also will receive hands-on instruction with two biotech curriculum resources developed by NCABR: the Mapping Your Future: Careers in Biomanufacturing manual and the “Heal, Feed, Sustain” short film teacher guide.

Since 1994, Rx for Science Literacy has helped more than 3,700 educators from 95 of North Carolina’s 100 counties prepare themselves and their students for the career opportunities, technologies and ethical issues that make up the ever-changing bioscience landscape.

NCABR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by the leaders in North Carolina’s bioscience research community. NCABR’s members and supporters include academia, industry, government, nonprofit research organizations and professional societies.

Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers across a broad array of industries the company creates tomorrow’s industrial biosolutions, improving its customers’ business and the use of our planet’s resources. With over 700 products used in 130 countries, Novozymes’ bioinnovations improve industrial performance and safeguard the world’s resources by offering superior and sustainable solutions for tomorrow’s ever-changing marketplace.

More information about:

###

NCABR Media Contact

Derek Howles, Director of Communications

dhowles@ncabr.org

919.785.1304 x 206