In Cambridge, United Kingdom, Illumina champions STEM education opportunities with local students
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 29, 2024 / Illumina Originally published on Illumina News Center
On April 25, Illumina opened its doors in Granta Park, Cambridge, to celebrate DNA Day. This annual event marks a significant milestone in the history of science: the successful completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 and the groundbreaking discovery of DNA's double helix structure by James Watson and Francis Crick, along with Rosalind Franklin, in 1953.
This year's DNA Day festivities at Illumina were joined by 150 enthusiastic children from schools in underserved areas of Cambridgeshire. The learners engaged in hands-on science activities, including extracting DNA from strawberries, and toured one of Illumina's state-of-the-art laboratories. This behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of genomic research was designed to inspire young scientists who may one day play pioneering roles in research and innovation at companies like Illumina.
During the event, the Illumina team was honored to welcome Anne, The Princess Royal, to Illumina's Europe regional headquarters in Cambridge. The visit gave the students a unique opportunity to interact with King Charles's sister as well as learn about the importance of genomics firsthand. The Princess Royal champions STEM education, encouraging kids to explore the world of science and increasing the presence of women in the field.
In keeping with the spirit of DNA Day, Illumina hosted their annual global genomic literacy initiative, The Future Is Bright, which exemplifies the company's commitment to promoting equitable access to STEM education and inspiring the next generation of scientists. Throughout April, Illumina partners with schools and nonprofit organizations, such as Form the Future and Cambridge Science Centre, to provide educational programs and activities for learners of all ages.
Anne Bailey, CEO of Form the Future, says, "We are immensely grateful for Illumina's support as our corporate partner, enabling us to engage primary school students in stimulating STEM activities. Their funding and dedication to releasing staff to work alongside us are instrumental in inspiring young minds and fostering a belief that a future in STEM is within reach, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Together, we're bridging the gap in our local economy, empowering a diverse array of students to pursue rewarding careers in the life sciences and beyond."
In 2024, an expected 100,000 learners globally will participate in The Future Is Bright; in the UK alone, some 10,000 pupils benefited from the campaign and its spirit of collaboration and service. Watch the video below to see the highlights of the day.
Last year, The Future Is Bright hosted 130 events, reaching students in six countries and every US state. The program was powered by 1500 employee volunteer hours and 2300 donated strawberry DNA extraction kits. More than 1600 community partners and schools participated, and 71% of the American classrooms were part of Title 1 schools where low-income families make up at least 40% of enrollment. As of December 2023, Illumina has reached a total of 1.6 million STEM learners, as part of its target to reach 5 million by 2030. The Future Is Bright campaign is a key program in achieving this goal.
Through hands-on activities, engaging interactions, and valuable partnerships, Illumina continues its commitment to empowering young scientists and paving the way for a brighter future fueled by science and innovation.
View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Illumina on 3blmedia.com.
DNAの日のスピリットに則り、イルミナは年次グローバルゲノムリテラシーイニシアチブ「Future Is Bright」を開催し、社会に貢献することにコミットしています。4月中旬、イルミナは「Future Is Bright」という、Form the FutureやCambridge Science Centreといった学校やNPO団体と提携して、年齢を問わずに学習者のための教育プログラムやアクティビティを提供することが目的です。
Form the FutureのCEOであるアン・ベイリー氏は、「イルミナのサポートには本当に感謝しています。イルミナは私たちのコーポレートパートナーとして活躍し、小学校の生徒たちに刺激的なSTEM活動に参加する機会を提供してくれました。彼らの資金提供やスタッフを派遣するための献身は、特に恵まれない背景を持つ若い人々に、将来的にはライフサイエンスやその他の分野で報酬の高いキャリアを追求することが可能であるという信念を促進するために重要な役割を果たしていると感じます。一緒に、地域経済のギャップを埋め、多様な生徒たちがライフサイエンスやその他の分野で報酬の高いキャリアを追求できるようにしましょう。」と語っています。
2024年には、世界中に10万人の学習者が「Future Is Bright」に参加する予定であり、イギリスだけでも1万人の生徒がキャンペーンの恩恵を受け、サービスと協力のスピリットに基づく活動が展開されています。下の動画を見れば、その日のハイライトをご覧いただけます。
昨年、Future Is Brightは6カ国の生徒に参加してもらい、米国の全都道府県の生徒に到達することができました。130以上のイベントを開催し、1500人の従業員が自発的に協力し、2300人の寄付したイチゴのDNA抽出キットを提供しました。1600を超えるコミュニティパートナーや学校が参加し、アメリカの教室の71%が低所得家庭の40%以上で構成されるタイトル1の学校でした。2023年12月現在、イルミナは、2030年までに5百万人のSTEM学習者に到達するという目標の一環として、計160万人のSTEM学習者に到達しています。Future Is Brightキャンペーンは、この目標を達成するための重要なプログラムの1つです。
