Features / Stories

Science@Work at Year One

Baxter initiative continues to boost science education for Chicago’s students and teachers

The first-year report card for Baxter’s Science@Work initiative is in, and the results are outstanding.

On October 28, Corporate Vice President, Human Resources Jeanne Mason helped launch Muchin College Prep in downtown Chicago. Muchin College Prep – part of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's Renaissance 2010 Initiative – will serve 500-600 students at capacity and feature many educational innovations, including an extended school day and year, smaller classes and more professional development for teachers.

Launched in October 2008, Science@Work is a five year, three-part program – in partnership with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Renaissance Schools Fund (RSF) and Illinois Institute of Technology – aimed at providing enhanced biotechnology science education opportunities for CPS students and teachers.

During the 2008-2009 school year, Baxter’s partners provided biotechnology education support to more than 24,000 CPS students via 352 teachers in 109 schools. Baxter also hosted 23 volunteer-based activities that provided access to the company’s experts and scientific innovations. As a result, CPS named Baxter an “Outstanding Partner” in October 2009.

The cornerstone of Baxter’s support is its partnership with Lindblom Math and Science Academy in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. Baxter adopted Lindblom and established the Biotechnology Center of Excellence to provide critical teacher training to enrich biotechnology curricula throughout CPS. Baxter is also helping provide lab supplies and hands-on, real-world experiences for teachers and students. In the past year, Lindblom students toured Baxter’s Round Lake, Ill facility, attended a career day at the company’s headquarters in Deerfield, Ill and worked with Baxter employees on a group project to develop a prototype home dialysis machine for teen patients.

“This program forced me to rethink my approach and the possible link between the classroom and industry,” said Mitch Arsenie, a science teacher at Chicago’s Shurz High School, who attended a professional development series this past year. “This partnership bridges the gap between classroom training and future employees”

Baxter employee volunteers have also earned top marks supporting the program, contributing nearly 700 hours through Science@Work.

"I think one of the most amazing things about this program is the success I've witnessed in just this first year,” said Aaron Bowling, a research associate with Baxter’s Global Regulatory Affairs division and guest lecturer at the Biotechnology Center of Excellence. “The gratitude of the faculty and their overwhelming excitement for the opportunities that Science@Work provides for students is remarkable.”

Bowling said his passion for the program comes from knowing that Science@Work provides students clear examples of the real-world applications of biotechnology and encourages them to think about career planning and goal-setting in science or any career.

In 2010, Baxter plans to expand the Science@Work program with additional real-world experiences including exclusive opportunities for low-income students to work side by side with scientists at Chicago’s Field Museum and The Chicago Botanic Garden as well as Baxter scientists. Through these initiatives, Science@Work expects to reach an additional 5,000 CPS students.

On September 16, 2009, eighty Lindblom Math & Science Academy seniors visited Baxter headquarters to learn about healthcare careers and the importance of college internships and resume building.