In 2016, the Amgen Foundation and Change the Equation conducted a national (U.S.) survey showing that the majority (81%) of high-school students are interested in science. To keep that interest alive, research and practical experience in the U.S. and here in Canada shows that methods such as two-way, hands-on learning  are most likely to engage teenage students in biology. Then we need to add in some tools that help kids relate biology to real life.

However, the survey also found that most teenagers lack access to additional resources and opportunities to learn more about scientific careers and engage with science professionals that will help take the students to the next level.

Eduardo Cetlin, Amgen Foundation President at the classroom Biotech Experience event held during the BIO 2018 conference in Boston.

As part of BIO this week the Amgen Foundation showed off its Biotech Experience at the John D. O’Bryant School of Math and Science in Boston. My schedule did not make it possible to attend but I was able to talk with Eduardo Cetlin, President of the Amgen Foundation who was at the school event earlier in the day. It was one of those interviews where things fell into place nicely. It turns out he spent part of his school years in Canada and because he is so passionate about making science interesting to school kids, he was easy to talk with.

Listen to our conversation and check back on these blog pages later, because I also had an excellent conversation with Women in Bio who are working to make the life sciences a more important part of young people's lives.