ROCKVILLE, MD — (Marketwire) — 03/26/12 — The , a private charitable organization that is an affiliate of the Tech Council of Maryland (TCM), today announced that it has received an unrestricted donation of $75,000 from , the Gaithersburg, Md.-based global biologics arm of AstraZeneca.
MdBio Foundation will use the donation to support operation of the MdBioLab, its popular mobile bioscience laboratory that travels to schools across Maryland, and development of MdBioSphere, an innovative interactive digital game that is being designed to enhance high school biology education and awareness.
“MedImmune is a great member of the life sciences and Maryland communities, and we are honored to accept this generous donation,” said J.J. Finkelstein, chairman of the MdBio Foundation Board and president and CEO of “MedImmune-s financial support will enable the Foundation to continue providing novel and exciting educational opportunities for students around the state to learn more about bioscience and gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology that cannot be found in the average high school lab.”
MdBio Foundation-s flagship education program is the MdBioLab, which visits high schools and allows students to participate in science activities and experiments designed to increase their interest in science and make them aware of career opportunities in the biosciences field. During the 2011-2012 alone, nearly 5,000 students from Baltimore City, and Baltimore, Frederick, Howard, and Prince George-s counties have worked in the MdBioLab. Since its launch in January 2003, MdBioLab has visited schools in all of Maryland-s school districts, and worked with more than 90,000 students and 1,500 teachers.
MdBioLab-s impact on students is measurable, and each year an external evaluation of the program using student and teacher surveys, student focus groups, and teacher interviews is conducted. All demonstrate a statistically significant increase in student knowledge of science after participating in activities on the MdBioLab. Teachers have found the MdBioLab offers an exciting experience in a unique venue for increasing students- awareness and interest in bioscience.
The donation from MedImmune also will support the development of MdBioSphere, an immersive learning environment in the form of an interactive computer game created to enhance bioscience literacy. In development now, and slated for launch in 2013, MdBioSphere is being designed to advance comprehension and curiosity of science topics, increase interest in science-related careers and provide educators with an innovative instruction tool utilizing serious and fun game play.
“The work of the MdBio Foundation is critical to inspiring and educating Maryland-s next generation of scientists,” said Max Donley, Executive Vice President of Human Resources & Corporate Affairs at MedImmune. “Their unique and innovative programs reach thousands of students across the state, helping to ensure that we will have a strong local workforce to draw from in the future.”
is a private charitable organization that supports bioscience awareness, education and workforce development in the state of Maryland. The Foundation has been providing bioscience education through various programs since 1997. These programs include MdBioLab, a custom-built tractor-trailer that serves as a mobile bioscience laboratory for Maryland high schools to increase knowledge and awareness of bioscience technologies and careers, and the Young Science Explorers Program (YSEP), a weeklong bioscience career exploration program for middle school students. MdBio Foundation is an affiliate of the (TCM).
Brad Wills
Wills & Associates Public Relations
(240) 752-7171
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