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:
- Bridging the Gap conference: bridgingthegapnc.com
- NCABR: ncabr.org
- Biogen Idec Foundation: biogenidec.com/biogen_idec_foundation.aspx?ID=11587
- 2014 North Carolina County Tier Designations: nccommerce.com/research-publications/incentive-reports/county-tier-designations
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
919.785.1304 x 206
Biogen Idec Foundation media contact
Gena Renfrow
RTP Representative
919.993.6023
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