With more than $3 million in funding from H-E-B and Valero, Texas Biomedical Research Institute is launching new science education initiatives that will allow San Antonio high school students to gain hands-on experience in biomedical research and create a new space on its campus where students can learn.
Texas Biomed this week announced two major gifts — $2 million from H-E-B and more than $1 million from Valero — that are aimed at expanding the institute’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in San Antonio.
H-E-B’s gift will go toward supporting existing Texas Biomed education initiatives such as summer internships for college students and for the construction of the institute’s future Center for Science Education. H-E-B’s funding helps support up to 20 interns, Texas Biomed said.
The Center for Science Education is planned as part of the future Global Center for Bioscience, which will be the new “front door” of Texas Biomed, a nonprofit research institute that specializes in infectious diseases and genetics. The new complex will host classrooms and laboratories dedicated to student training and workshops as well as new, state-of-the-art Texas Biomed laboratories and offices. The design process for the Global Center for Bioscience is currently underway, the institute said in a media release.
“Texas Biomed is doing critical work to protect us from infectious diseases and to educate the next generation of scientists, right here in our own community,” said H-E-B President Craig Boyan, who is also vice chair of Texas Biomed’s board of trustees.
“H-E-B is pleased to support student experiences at Texas Biomed and help make the Center for Science Education a reality.”
The $1 million from Valero will help create a four-week summer program that will allow high school students to interact with researchers, graduate students and teachers at Texas Biomed. Called the Valero Young Scientist Program, it is intended to inspire local students to be part of the next generation of scientists.
“We are thrilled to launch this program and set students up for success as they explore the many diverse careers available in the biosciences,” said Texas Biomed Director of Education Outreach Programs Rose Riggs.
Applications for the first summer scholar program are open and the deadline to apply is Feb. 29. Applicants must be rising juniors or seniors living in San Antonio and at least 16 years old when the program begins on June 24. Texas Biomed will be accepting 40 students for this program each summer.
Texas Biomed said its 10-year strategic plan, set in 2018, aims to expand its overall commitment to STEM education and workforce opportunities. The institute’s various educational initiatives currently serve nearly 10,000 K-12 students from all 17 San Antonio public school districts, according to Texas Biomed.
“We have an over 80-year history in this community, and we take our mission seriously to help educate the next generation of bioscience leaders and advocates,” said Texas Biomed President and CEO Larry Schlesinger.
Texas Biomedical Research Institute, H-E-B and Valero are financial supporters of the San Antonio Report. For a full list of business members, click here.
