LINCOLN, NEB. (April 24, 2007)—Mix one part science awareness and promotion campaign with three parts eager middle school students and you have the winning formula that earned the Bio Nebraska and FutureForce Nebraska partnership a prestigious $25,000 national Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) legislative challenge grant.

BIO conducted the grant competition in consultation with the Biotechnology Institute, an independent educational organization. Supported by an unrestricted grant from Merck & Co., Inc., these legislative challenge grants encourage BIO affiliates, members of the Council of State Bioscience Associations to advocate to their state legislatures to secure passage of legislation that increases attention to, and provides funding for K-12 science education.

Bio Nebraska and FutureForce Nebraska will apply the grant toward implementing a critical-thinking, science-based activity in 25 middle school science and agri-science classrooms statewide to fuel students’ interest in the biotechnology industry and potential related careers. Once the process is in place, applications will be accepted from schools this summer. As part of the project, the partnership has enlisted Senator Bill Avery, District 28, to propose the resolution that the Nebraska Legislature designate one week in February to be annually observed as Nebraska Science Week to educate the public about the critical need for science and related careers.

A major component of the weeklong celebration will be an interactive middle school biotechnology contest that challenges classrooms to identify a problem to be solved through the biosciences processes, perform a bioscience experiment, and identify bioscience careers related to the project. All projects will be judged on the quality of the scientific method and creativeness that is used to solve the problem, as well as the scope and variety of biotechnology careers that are identified. The top scoring classes will subsequently be invited to demonstrate their respective projects at a biotechnology career fair in Lincoln during Nebraska Science Week.

Bio Nebraska, which consists of nearly 60 member organizations representing bioscience companies, suppliers and institutions, and FutureForce Nebraska, a business-driven, collaboration of leading businesses, industries, state government agencies, schools, colleges, workforce development offices and economic development agencies, have secured in-kind donations from several educational institutions and privately-held companies.

The following organizations have pledged support to Nebraska Science Week and connecting activities: Southeast Community College, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, LI-COR, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, and the Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center. There is still time for other interested organizations to participate as well.

The primary purpose of the grant campaign is to address the growing problem of fewer students pursuing scientific studies in the U.S., particularly in the biosciences. Countries, including India and China have surpassed the U.S. in the number of students with advanced bioscience degrees, a growing concern for U.S. bioscience companies seeking qualified workers.

“The future of Nebraska’s bioscience industry is bright, with 5,260 jobs in 2004 and more than 7,000 this year,” said Julie Karavas, president of Bio Nebraska. “However, because it is such a rapidly growing industry, the need for employees is rapidly outstripping the availability of workers. Our biotechnology employers eagerly seek skilled workers to continue filling positions ranging from entry-level to highly advanced.”

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Julie Karavas at 402-742-7427, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it