Amgen Canada expands its support for STEM learning initiatives for Canadian youth

Amgen Foundation bringing Amgen Biotech Experience to Canada and providing exclusive sponsorship of Khan Academy's biology lessons

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 6, 2017 /CNW/ - Amgen Canada reinforced its commitment to raising the value of science learning in Canada at the Canada 2067 National Leadership Conference, held today in Toronto, ON. During his remarks to an audience of more than 270 business leaders, government officials, non-government organizations, educators and youth, Amgen Canada General Manager, Dr. Francesco Di Marco announced the continued support of nine Canadian, science-based community initiatives.

At the same event, the Amgen Foundation (principal channel for Amgen's corporate philanthropy) shared updates on the impact of three of its global programs on teachers and students in Canada demonstrating the Foundation's longstanding commitment to innovative science education.

Amgen Canada committed to supporting important science programs

Since 2010, Amgen Canada has collaborated with Let's Talk Science (the presenting partner of Canada 2067) to spark a national discussion on science learning through the Spotlight on Science Learning program. Canada 2067 – an initiative to shape science learning for Canada's five million youth by creating a national vision and action plan for youth science learning – is an evolution of this program.

"We know that in order to foster a STEM culture in Canada we need a new vision for education," said Dr. Di Marco. "We believe strongly in the development and implementation of the Canada 2067 learning framework and have always, and will continue to invest in organizations and programs across Canada that directly support this framework."

Programs Amgen Canada will continue to support in 2018 include Let's Talk Science (Canada 2067), Visions of Science Network for Learning, Scientists in School, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel, University of Toronto Mississauga, Animations Scientifiques Prof Dino, Simon Fraser University, Start2Finish and the Advanced Coronary Treatment (ACT) Foundation. All of these programs provide hands-on and experiential learning opportunities for youth – a key component of the framework. Amgen Canada will also continue to support programs that focus on teacher training and professional development through Let's Talk Science.

Canadian youth and teachers benefit from Amgen Foundation programs

Two Amgen Foundation global programs are now reaching teachers and students in Canada: Amgen Biotech Experience, and a three-year commitment as exclusive biology content funder of Khan Academy, a free, online learning website.

The Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) – which already operates in the United States, Puerto Rico, England and Ireland – empowers high-school science teachers to implement real-world biotechnology labs in their classrooms, helping their students better understand science and how it influences their daily lives. The three-week, in-class lab initiative provides teachers with professional development, teaching materials, and research-grade equipment to classrooms to immerse students in the concepts and techniques scientists use to discover and develop medicines. ABE Canada will be run by the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) campus and, in 2018, will involve 20 schools.

Khan Academy is a non-profit organization with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. With the Amgen Foundation's support, Khan Academy is creating new biology lessons for students and teachers, with videos, articles and practice exercises for ninth-grade biology through Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) biology for students around the globe.

In addition to the Amgen Biotech Experience and Khan Academy, the Amgen Scholars Program continues to inspire scientists of tomorrow by providing Canadian undergraduate students with the opportunity to engage in a compelling, 10-week scientific research experience at two world-leading universities in Japan over the summer. 2017 Amgen Scholar Hlib Razumkov was a participant this past summer from the University of Toronto. He says his summer in Japan "taught me one very crucial thing: how to work. I saw people putting their soul into their projects and generating new ideas every single day. Their work ethic helped me realize there is no limit for what I can do."

"The Amgen Foundation is deeply committed to helping students get access to a world-class science education," said Eduardo Cetlin, president, Amgen Foundation. "By instilling a love of science in Canadian youth, we are able to increase scientific literacy across society and build the next generation's capacity for innovation." 

As he concluded his remarks today, Amgen Canada's General Manager called on other businesses to join Amgen Canada in supporting the goals of Canada 2067 and shaping science learning for youth in this country.

"As a science-based company, Amgen Canada knows first-hand the benefits of science literacy in building knowledge, skills and capabilities among Canada`s youth," said Dr. Di Marco. "Only by working together can we inspire and nurture the innovators, entrepreneurs, discoverers and citizens needed to power Canada's future."

Additional information about Canada 2067 is available at www.canada2067.ca.

About Amgen Canada

As a leader in innovation, Amgen Canada understands the value of science. With main operations located in Mississauga, Ont.'s vibrant biomedical cluster, and its research facility in Burnaby, B.C., Amgen Canada has been an important contributor to advancements in science and innovation in Canada since 1991. The company contributes to the development of new therapies and new uses for existing medicines in partnership with many of Canada's leading health-care, academic, research, government and patient organizations. To learn more about Amgen Canada, visit www.amgen.ca.

About the Amgen Foundation

The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance excellence in science education to inspire the next generation of innovators, and invest in strengthening communities where Amgen staff members live and work. To date, the Foundation has donated over $250 million to local, regional, and international nonprofit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. The Amgen Foundation brings the excitement of discovery to the scientists of tomorrow through several signature programs, including Amgen Scholars, Amgen Biotech Experience, and Amgen Teach. For more information, visit www.AmgenInspires.com and follow us on Twitter @AmgenFoundation.

SOURCE Amgen Canada

Sara Frank, [email protected], 416-413-4646