Regeneron scientists inspire next generation in Science News Learning classrooms

The Society’s Science News Learning program works to support educators in increasing science literacy for middle and high school students across the United States. Through this program,  schools receive equitable access to Science News Media Group online and print journalism and teachers are supported with professional development and access to hundreds of lesson plans to integrate the news articles into classroom curricula. Last school year, Science News Learning enrolled over 17,000 educators and gave journalism access to up to 5.7 million students in 5,630 schools nationwide.

Alongside its core mission of increasing student STEM literacy, the program is offering an additional opportunity to create dynamic connections between classrooms and inspiring STEM role models. This exciting initiative opens up new avenues for students to engage with real-world science and fosters meaningful interactions that spark curiosity and passion for learning!

Partnering with Regeneron, Science News Learning has launched a pilot program to facilitate visits by Regeneron’s professional scientists and engineers directly into SN Learning classrooms. By meeting and learning from Regeneron employees, the pilot program’s goal is to provide students with the chance to learn directly from real-life scientists and engineers from diverse fields and backgrounds, while deepening understandings of the concepts and skills they’re already learning in class.

In the last year, sixteen Regeneron scientists visited thirteen different schools. During nine in-person visits to middle and high schools in New York, along with three virtual classroom visits with middle and high schools in Minnesota and Maine, a total of about 600 students met with Regeneron scientists.

Meeting with students in their classrooms or in larger assembly spaces, the scientists explained their research and engineering design processes, while also relating concepts students have learned in class to their real-world applications. Visit preparation included identifying one relevant Science News Learning resource so students could review relevant curricular content or a recent research application to better engage with the scientist’s area of work. During the visits, the scientists also connected with students by sharing their education and career journeys, discussing the challenges of their research and answering many student questions.

Here are some reflections from participating teachers about the unique experience, as well as some photos from the scientists’ visits:

“I think the visit exceeded my expectations. Athena was a wonderful, engaging speaker who really connected with the students.  She covered tips about the college process, looking at what field of science to focus on and what she loves about her job and research!  You can tell that Regeneron attracts the most talented scientists!” – Talia Dardis, Edgemont Junior Senior High School

“Dr. Woods was very helpful and interactive with the students that were there. She provided students with insight into the research field and had great energy. The students came away with an amazing experience with a scientific and professional mentor.” – Sarah Loew, Townsend Harris High School

“Mike did a great job shedding light on himself, his work and his contributions at Regeneron in a way that I think my students really saw a clear pathway to accomplishing their goals.” – James Dowd, Ardsley High School

Whether in school, our careers, or daily lives, science isn’t just a subject we learn—it’s an active part of all we do. The Science News Learning program looks forward to continuing to impart that insight in the 2024–25 school year by facilitating visits between professional scientists from Regeneron and students across the country in the next phase of the pilot program. The program will expand to include new cities for in-person visits in February 2025.