Keck Graduate Institute has received a grant to host a NIIMBL eXperience Educator Program this summer designed to immerse STEM educators in the biopharmaceutical industry. This two-day program will take place on KGI’s campus in Claremont, CA, on June 17-18, 2026, and will engage 20 local high school teachers in the scientific, operational, and career-building areas of biopharmaceutical manufacturing, further strengthening KGI’s commitment to develop inclusive pathways into the biopharmaceutical workforce.
The program focuses on equipping high school STEM teachers from areas surrounding KGI, including Claremont, Pomona, Montclair, and Ontario, with the knowledge, tools, and real-world context needed to guide students toward careers in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Participants will gain exposure to the scientific and operational sides of the industry, including upstream and downstream bioprocessing, while building connections with industry professionals and learning about pathways supporting student entry into the workforce.
“Many high school students are unaware of the great careers available in biomanufacturing,” said George B. and Joy Rathmann Professor and Associate Vice Provost of Research, Innovation, and Strategic Engagement Loren Martin. “By exposing high school STEM teachers to these careers and educational pathways, they will be equipped to transfer this knowledge to their students.”
The two-day program will include an industry overview workshop led by KGI faculty, introducing educators to the business and science of biomanufacturing. Within the workshop, the teachers will receive a toolkit to support classroom instruction. The educators will also be able to interact directly with professionals from across the biopharma sector through panel discussions and networking lunches to learn about collaboration opportunities for their school and career insights for students.
Participants also will take part in immersive laboratory training in KGI’s Amgen Bioprocessing Center, gaining hands-on experience with industry-relevant techniques. Led by KGI bioprocessing faculty, these sessions are designed to mirror real manufacturing environments and help educators translate complex concepts into accessible classroom learning.
If you are an interested high school STEM teachers, you can apply here.