Amgen Teach Meets with Teachers

Biotechnology company Amgen has launched the "Amgen Teach: Hand in Hand for Science" project under the leadership of the Amgen Foundation in partnership with Kalkınma Atölyesi to increase the interest of the new generation in science and technology. The project continues in Turkey with Research Inquiry-Based Science Education Applications. The "Amgen Teach: Hand in Hand for Science" project, carried out with the support of European Schoolnet, which is headquartered in Brussels, provides research and inquiry-based professional training to teachers from various secondary and high schools. The 2020 training held under this scope took place between 27 May – 1 June 2020, following opening remarks by Amgen Turkey and Gensenta Research and Development, Market Access, Health Policy and Corporate Relations Director Dr. Bilgen Dölek, Kalkınma Atölyesi Project Manager Dr. Elif Adıbelli Şahin, Koç School General Director Prof. Dr. Murat Günel and METU Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Education Application and Research Center Director Prof. Dr. Erdinç Çakıroğlu. The training, conducted over 6 days, included sessions on Thinking and Learning, Research-Inquiry Based Implementation, Pedagogical Discussion on Implementation, Experience Sharing, Review of Experiences, Return to Class, Measurement and Assessment, and Preparation of Action Plans. The training was attended by 60 teachers from 16 provinces. The program, aimed at contributing to the development of future scientists, has reached over 4,000 teachers and more than 530,000 students worldwide since 2011. Since the project was launched in Turkey in 2014, more than 400 teachers and nearly 60,000 students have participated in the program.

Through training provided to science teachers, focusing on teachers understanding, loving and questioning science, thousands of students have been encouraged to take an interest in science through teacher training.

In the first three years of the project, Turkey was selected by European Schoolnet as the "best implementing country" among 10 countries. The "Amgen Teach: Hand in Hand for Science" project strengthens science teachers' skills in using inquiry and research-based teaching strategies in the classroom, deepening students' science achievement. Amgen Turkey and Gensenta General Manager Güldem Berkman, expressing satisfaction with the continuation of the program in Turkey, stated: "The value of these online trainings is quite significant, especially during the COVID-19 struggle we are currently facing. Teachers from all parts of Turkey show great interest in the program. With the Amgen Teach: Hand in Hand for Science program, we are progressing with confidence toward our goal of fostering a love of science."