What is Amgen Biotech Experience?

Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) bring critical hands-on biotechnology learning experiences into classrooms through four key areas: teaching equipment and resources, professional learning communities, connecting scientists to classrooms, and promoting equity and access in STEM. Here you can find a brief and informative slidedeck exploring the impact the ABE has had across 27 program sites around the globe!

So, what's so cool about ABE Massachusetts?

Since 2011, the ABE Massachusetts program site (ABE MA) has established itself as a leader in enhancing high school biotechnology education by offering opportunities for high school teachers and students to gain valuable experience with biotechnology laboratory protocols, generating familiarity with a variety of important molecular biology and biotechnology techniques.The program engages students in learning molecular biology using relevant curricula, tools, and techniques, including recombinant DNA, gel electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction, and many other biotechnology lab skills.

ABE MA maintains its signature three-tiered approach of "full kit,” "partial kit" and “reagent” partners. Participating teachers receive a loaned kit for a four-week period with research-grade equipment and supplies that allow students to participate in advanced science laboratories. Teachers receive this equipment and supplies for completely free! The only requirement is to attend an ABE MA-hosted Professional Development Institute. Dates for these can be found on our calendar OR you can contact us at abe.massachusetts@gmail.com. 

The other tenet of ABE MA is the variety of professional development opportunities, with a continued emphasis on fostering community and ensuring a high level of comfort with the laboratory procedures and equipment. These events enable us to keep pace with scientific advances and technologies and to introduce students to the latest scientific discoveries. Professional development includes expanded opportunities for teacher collaborative sessions exploring ABE inquiry-based activities and integration of LabXchange into the ABE experience.

The ABE Massachusetts Program is supported through the efforts of our amazing community of scientists of all ages, our science educators, ABE Program Office staff (through EDC), and our site coordinator and technicians at our several different distribution sites, including Northeastern University's Biopharmaceutical Analysis and Training Laboratory (BATL), Marine Biological Laboratory, and Springfield Technical Community College.

Click here for our ABE MA Quick Sheet, a brief infographic describing our program's impact!