Biogen and MIT Launch New Virtual Learning Lab for High School Students Historically Underrepresented in Science

• The online learning program combines lab simulations and mentoring experiences focused on biotechnology and neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis
• Four hundred students from Massachusetts and North Carolina are enrolling in this no-fee program that also provides students with computers and other technology resources
• The initiative builds upon Biogen’s Community Lab, which has enrolled more than 55,000 students to date, and the Lemelson-MIT Program in inspiring the next generation of creative and inventive problem-solvers

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 28, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) is bringing its well-recognized Community Lab science learning program together with the Lemelson-MIT Program (LMIT) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to launch the new online Biogen-MIT Biotech in Action: Virtual Summer Lab. This virtual lab will offer 400 Massachusetts and North Carolina high school students a first-hand experience in biotechnology and provide the opportunity to learn directly from, and be mentored by, leading scientists at Biogen and MIT. Most of the students are from low-income households and groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

“Today, more than ever, we need to encourage, support and inspire young people to better understand and appreciate the link between biotechnology and health outcomes, hopefully igniting curiosity and a spark to learn more,” said Alfred Sandrock, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Research and Development at Biogen. “While we have always believed that science can be done anywhere, the current public health crisis has pushed us all to consider new ways of learning and to think differently about how we collaborate with others. Lemelson-MIT is allowing us to enrich our Community Lab program so we can continue to foster an appreciation for science, and reinforce the point that science is accessible, even if you’re not physically in a lab.”

“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,” said Michael Cima, Lemelson-MIT Program’s Faculty Director and Associate Dean of Innovation for MIT 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.”