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Mayor Jon Mitchell and Superintendent of New Bedford Public Schools Dr. Pia Durkin announced today that the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) has awarded a $92,000 grant to the district for the purchase of life science training equipment and supplies for biology and bioscience classrooms at New Bedford High School.
“Getting more resources to New Bedford High School is a top priority for my administration, so I want to thank Mass Life Sciences Center for its help in enhancing biology and biotechnology courses for our students. This investment in supplies and materials will go a long way toward teaching and learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math in New Bedford High School classrooms,” said Mayor Mitchell.
Superintendent of New Bedford Public Schools Dr. Pia Durkin said, “This grant helps move forward the district’s ambitious teaching and learning agenda and prepare our students for the demands of 21st century learning.”
MLSC awarded grant funding to New Bedford High School and several other public high schools and training programs throughout the Commonwealth that are implementing innovative Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum and training. The program aims to develop Massachusetts’ life sciences workforce through investment in equipment and supplies used in classrooms and training programs.
New Bedford’s grant application was written in partnership with New Bedford High School teachers and the funding will be used at the high school to offer a more defined sequence of biology and biotechnology courses that will better prepare students for higher education and life sciences jobs.
“Training students to enter the life sciences workforce is a critical part of the Center’s mission,” said Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President & CEO of the MLSC. “We want to make those opportunities available to all students across the state, which is why we are focusing resources in this round of grant awards on our voc-tech schools, Title 1 high schools and public high schools in our Gateway Cities. These investments will both strengthen and diversify our life sciences workforce in Massachusetts.”
