Amgen and European Schoolnet launch teacher training scheme

Amgen will be allying with educational body European Schoolnet to launch a new initiative aimed at improving standards of life science teaching across Europe.

The Amgen Science Teacher Training Initiative is being introduced in France, Germany, Ireland and Poland and will offer professional development for secondary school science teachers working with students aged between 12 and 18.

Focusing primarily on biology and chemistry, the aim of the project is to help educators incorporate hands-on enquiry-based science teaching into lesson plans, with around 500 teachers set to take part in training programmes during 2012.

Amgen and European Schoolnet will be working with a number of training institute partners on this project, including the Centre for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Teaching and Learning in Ireland and the French National Museum of Natural History.

Jean Lim Terra, president of the Amgen Foundation, said: "Amgen, as a science-based company, has the privilege and the responsibility to support European teachers who are inspiring the next generation of citizens and scientists."

According to its most recent fiscal report in January 2012, Amgen generated sales of $3.97 billion (2.49 billion pounds) in the final quarter of 2011, up by three percent year over year.