The future of Biogen Idec, like the future of all companies, depends on the drive, dedication, creativity and educational excellence of the generations to come. One way that Biogen Idec invests in the future is with our Community Lab program.
The vision of Community Lab is to engage young people with science and biotechnology by participating in the actual experiments and scientific processes that are part of everyday life in the Biogen Idec labs.
Located within the company's research buildings, the Biogen Idec Community Lab helps transform today's young students into the discoverers and scientific leaders of tomorrow. The Community Lab, open to local middle and high school students and teachers, operates teaching laboratories at Biogen Idec's campuses in Cambridge, MA, and San Diego, CA. All programs are offered at no cost to the community.
Since 2002, more than 20,000 students have worked with the Community Labs. In late 2009, Biogen Idec announced that it would expand the program to help promote science and technology with youth in China by sponsoring the China Community Lab at Northwest University in Xi'an.
Scientists and teachers lead the instruction and offer insights on working at one of the world's leading biotechnology companies. Biogen Idec employees also volunteer as lab assistants, speakers and mentors. Throughout the academic school year, the Community Lab hosts class visits, professional-development seminars for teachers and student mentoring.
The Community Lab program takes students out of the classroom and brings them into a working environment where science is applied every day. By giving students a chance to interact with scientists and perform experiments with sophisticated equipment, the Community Lab has a profound impact on participating students.
