Genzyme Corporation today announced that it awarded more than $345,000 in community grants in the first half of this year to support non-profit organizations located in areas throughout the United States where Genzyme has operations. In alignment with Genzyme's commitment to innovation in science and areas of unmet medical need, the grants are designed to further access to science education and health programs.
"We invest in science education to provide teachers with the knowledge and tools they need to empower students so they may better understand the world around them," said Judy Ozbun, associate director of community affairs at Genzyme. "Teachers are the gatekeepers who will bring science to life for their students, help them become educated consumers, and perhaps inspire some of them to pursue life science careers."
Boston Area Teacher Professional Development Programs
Genzyme forged a new partnership with the Massachusetts High Technology Council by donating $50,000 to the Massachusetts K-12 Education Initiative. This statewide initiative is designed to establish a dynamic teacher recruitment and retention model and implement a statewide professional development plan. The education initiative will focus on the training and development of math and science teachers.
Genzyme expanded its sponsorship of the Boston Children's Museum Free Kits for Teachers program with a $25,000 donation. Genzyme's support has doubled the size of the Kits for Teachers program which has now spread to 40 new schools across 30 communities reaching more than 50 teachers. The Kits for Teachers program sends free boxes of hands-on materials including artifacts, photos, maps and a teacher’s guide from the Boston Children's Museum to elementary and after-school teachers to enhance student learning in science and social studies. The Kits provide students with greater exposure to a wide variety of subjects and activities, helping them to develop a high level of science and technical knowledge while building their creativity, interpersonal skills and global view. Communities that have benefited from the Free Kits for Teachers include Boston, Cambridge, Westborough, Framingham and Waltham.
Genzyme donated $20,000 to the Museum Institute for Teaching Science, Inc. (MITS) for its work improving the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at the K-8 grade levels.
Specifically, Genzyme's funding will support the development of Science is Elementary (SIE) booklets, which outline inquiry-based, hands-on activities for K-6 linked to the National Benchmarks and the National Science Education standards Half of the grant will go towards professional development efforts for teachers at the 2007 Summer Institute, a two week seminar where teachers hone their skills in inquiry-base methodology.
Genzyme continues its ongoing support of the Museum of Science through the Genzyme Biotechnology Education Initiative. Borne out of Genzyme's $2 million pledge to the Museum in April 2006, this initiative will include interactive exhibits and educational forums, professional development workshops for teachers, presentations for school groups, lectures, web-based resources, K-12 science and technology curricula, and other programs.
Genzyme also is a lead supporter of the Massachusetts State Science Fair at the middle school and high school levels. At the high school fair, held at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA, Genzyme annually presents the Genzyme Science Award. The winning student is awarded a $5,000 cash prize, his or her teacher receives a $5,000 independent study grant and their school receives $5,000 toward science education resources. At the middle school level, Genzyme awards a total of $4,500 in prize money.
Health Programs and Services
Genzyme is a strong supporter of health programs and services throughout Massachusetts. Some of the programs that received Genzyme’s support in the first half of 2007 include:
# The Cambridge College Medical Interpreter Training Program received $10,000 from Genzyme to support the development of the American Sign Language module to help meet the tremendous need for qualified ASL medical interpreters. With this grant, Cambridge College plans to offer formal medical interpreter training for students already qualified as ASL interpreters or deaf interpreters.
# D.E.A.F., Inc. headquartered in Allston MA, received $5,000 from Genzyme in support of its linguistically and culturally accessible programs and services that help deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind and late-deafened individuals lead independent and productive lives through its support.
# SCM Transportation received $5,000 from Genzyme for its Medical Dial-a-Ride transportation services that help senior citizens in Somerville, Cambridge and Medford get to the doctors office or hospital to get the medical attention or services they need.
# The Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Framingham received $10,000 from Genzyme toward its four week Summer Activities in Learning Health Initiative (SAIL-HI) that teaches health, nutrition and hygiene to approximately 125 students through interactive projects, field trips and in-house presentations.
# The Bridge to Healthcare program at Mount Auburn Hospital received $5,000 in support from Genzyme for the health information sessions and screenings for Allston, Brighton, Cambridge and Waltham residents for whom English is a second language.
Employee-Directed Volunteer Efforts
In addition to the community grants, Genzyme awarded more than $57,000 in the first and second quarter of this year to 24 organizations globally as part of its G.I.V.E (Genzyme Invests in Volunteer Efforts) program. G.I.V.E. was created in 2000 to encourage employee-directed volunteer efforts. The unrestricted grants range between $1,000 and $10,000, and are awarded to eligible charitable organizations with which a team of Genzyme employees volunteer.
Charitable organizations located in towns and cities worldwide in which Genzyme has operations are encouraged to apply for financial assistance through Genzyme Community Relations. More information about Genzyme's community investments, including how to apply for funding or request volunteers, is available on the website at www.genzyme.com/commitment/commitment_home.asp
About Genzyme
One of the world's leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme is dedicated to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases. Since 1981, the company has grown from a small start-up to a diversified enterprise with more than 9,000 employees in locations spanning the globe and 2006 revenues of $3.2 billion. Genzyme has been selected by FORTUNE as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" in the United States.
With many established products and services helping patients in nearly 90 countries, Genzyme is a leader in the effort to develop and apply the most advanced technologies in the life sciences. The company's products and services are focused on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease, orthopedics, cancer, transplant, and diagnostic testing. Genzyme's commitment to innovation continues today with a substantial development program focused on these fields, as well as immune disease, infectious disease, and other areas of unmet medical need.Labels: career training, financial aid, free education, high school, scholarship, student loans |
