The Lemelson-MIT Program (LMIT) announced the launch of Biogen-MIT Biotech in Action: Virtual Summer Lab — a new online learning lab for high school students underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The collaboration pairs Biogen’s established Community Lab science learning program with LMIT’s 25 years of experience preparing students to be the next generation of creative and inventive problem solvers. The summer virtual lab will offer 400 Massachusetts and North Carolina high school students from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM the opportunity to learn directly from, and be mentored by, leading scientists at Biogen and MIT.

The five sessions of the weeklong online summer program will teach students about biotechnology, and the unique ways neuroscientists and inventors use STEM knowledge to solve problems that matter. These problems include diseases of the brain like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

“Lemelson-MIT research has validated our beliefs about the importance of teaching STEM through hands-on, real-world projects and opportunities to engage with STEM professionals and other adults.” says Michael Cima, Lemelson-MIT Program faculty director and associate dean of innovation for MIT’s School of Engineering. “We also know that hands-on doesn’t have to mean in-person, and mentoring can happen effectively using web-based collaboration tools. We are excited to join forces with Biogen and their unique expertise, combined with ours, to help another generation of students discover their passion for invention in biotechnology and neuroscience.”

“Today, more than ever, we need to encourage, support and inspire young people to better understand and appreciate…

You can read the article in its entirety, on the official website of Massachusetts Institute of Technology