Gloucester High School Selected for MassBioEd BioTeach Program

The Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd) has selected Gloucester High School (GHS) as one of 10 schools awarded a BioTeach program grant in the 2015-2016 school year.

GHS was also awarded a BioTeach grant in 2009 and was recognized with MassBioEd’s prestigious Joshua Boger Innovative School of the Year Award in 2013 for inspiring students to explore life sciences careers through progressive biotechnology education and exemplary science career programming.  

Through this year’s BioTeach grant, MassBioEd will provide GHS with professional development and mentoring for teachers; updated, inquiry-based biotechnology curricula; access to student career exploration experiences; and up to $12,000 for materials and equipment for school labs.

“We are honored at Gloucester High School to have MassBioEd’s support through equipment and training and look forward to providing exciting, inquiry-based lab exercises,” said Eric Leigh, Biology Teacher and BioTeach Coordinator at GHS.

“Gloucester High School is honored and enthusiastic about being awarded a BioTeach grant, said Robert Gallinelli, Dean of Students at GHS. “This grant will assist us in inspiring our students to pursue careers and educational opportunities in life sciences and biotechnology. Our teachers are eager to enrich our student’s lab experience with modern equipment and training.”

Funding for this year’s BioTeach cohort comes from a $139,999 grant awarded through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) STEM Equipment and Supplies Grant Program.

“We are thrilled to bring our BioTeach program into additional schools for the 2015-2016 school year,” said Lance Hartford, Executive Director of MassBioEd. “By providing Massachusetts students with lab experiences in high schools across the state, we hope to inspire students to pursue educational opportunities and careers in the life sciences and biotechnology industry.”

“Investing in training the next generation of life sciences workers is a critical part of the Center’s mission,” said Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President & CEO of the MLSC. “We want to create an interest in STEM careers among students all across the state, and at all levels. The Center’s investments in equipment and supplies for training at high schools, both directly and through our partnership with the MassBioEd Foundation, are increasing interest in STEM among all of our students – regardless of socio-demographics or zip code.”

The 10 schools for the 2015-2016 cohort are:

•  Avon Middle-High School, Avon

•  Claremont Academy, Worcester

•  Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, South Yarmouth

•  Gloucester High School, Gloucester

•  Lee Middle and High School, Lee

•  Palmer High School, Palmer

•  Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, Northampton

•  South High Community School, Worcester

•  Springfield High School of Science and Technology, Springfield

•  Weymouth High School, Weymouth

With the addition of these schools, the BioTeach program, recognized by the Massachusetts State STEM Council as a premier @Scale initiative, now reaches 204 schools in the Commonwealth. Learn more about the MassBioEd Foundation and BioTeach at www.MassBioEd.org.