The Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) is celebrating a milestone that speaks volumes—not just a number, but a clear message of growth and enthusiasm in the science community. Welcoming its one-millionth student, ABE isn't just counting participants in 16 countries: it's celebrating a movement towards a more inclusive and engaging science education across the globe.
Transforming Classrooms into Hubs of Discovery
By turning schools into vibrant labs, ABE has democratized biotechnology by bringing the real work of science out of professional labs and into classrooms. It’s giving students from various backgrounds the tools and confidence to dive into biotech, often for the first time. These hands-on experiences have opened eyes and minds to the possibilities that science holds, from curing diseases to solving environmental challenges.
This achievement isn’t just about teaching kids how to use micropipettes or understand DNA. It’s about showing them that science is for everyone and that their ideas and experiments can contribute to our world in meaningful ways. Importantly, teachers are at the core of the Amgen Biotech Experience, as each student reached is a result of their engagement.
"Reaching the one million student mark with the Amgen Biotech Experience is a milestone we're really proud of," Scott Heimlich, President of the Amgen Foundation, shares. "It's about partnering with teachers to show a million young minds that science is exciting and within their reach. We've always believed in the power of hands-on learning to spark curiosity and passion for science. I'm grateful to be a part of this journey and excited about the future possibilities ABE opens up for students."
Real Stories, Real Impact
Originating with Amgen scientists outreaching to local high school science teachers in the company’s headquarters community in Thousand Oaks California, the ABE program has grown since 1990 to become a global program available at 27 selected locations in 16 countries. Its growth reflects a shift in how science is taught and learned, moving towards an approach that’s more inclusive, interactive, and impactful through its incorporation of research-grade equipment and a curriculum based on real-world science.
Take Sarah, for example, a student who once thought science was just memorizing facts from a textbook. Through ABE, she discovered a passion for biotechnology that led her to a science fair win and dreams of a career in genetic research. Or Michael, a teacher who saw his classroom transform from a place of passive learning to a vibrant lab where students tackle experiments with enthusiasm and curiosity.
What Comes Next
Crossing the one-million mark is an incredible milestone, but for ABE and the Amgen Foundation, it's just the beginning. The Foundation has committed an additional $7 million to continue the work of the ABE program, bringing its overall commitment to more than $60 million to date. The mission ahead is to continuously improve the program’s impact, reaching more students, and igniting more sparks of scientific curiosity. The ABE labs are also available online on abe.labxchange.org in many languages, complementing the in-person experience and allowing this content to reach far beyond its current communities.
Join the Movement
As we celebrate this significant moment, we invite you to learn more about the Amgen Biotech Experience and the other free science education programs provided by the Amgen Foundation at www.amgenfoundation.org, because everyone needs science and science needs everyone.
A student in California participating in the ABE program in 2024.
