Our Commitment to STEAM Education
Supporting science, technology, engineering, art and math opportunities for students in our local communities
“Our STEAM education programs are not just about the facts students might learn or the experiments they might do. It’s about helping them connect with a teacher; it’s about introducing them to the scientists who work here. And I think it makes it real for them, that they could do it too—and that’s hope. That’s opportunity.”
In our Learning Labs, we bring classroom concepts to life and give students access to resources and technologies that aren’t available in school.
We partner with local educators and organizations to bring hands-on learning opportunities to more students in our communities.
We equip students with the tools they need to succeed in a STEAM career, including scholarships, mentorships and internships.
In 2012, we established a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Boston Public Schools to enhance STEAM education for under-resourced students. We continue to work with BPS and other partners to provide students the opportunities and support they need to succeed.
Opened in 2014, the Thomas M. Menino Learning Lab is a 3,000-square-foot classroom and laboratory space where Boston Public School teachers bring their students to meet our scientists and conduct hands-on experiments.
Vertex and the Vertex Foundation support nonprofit organizations that help us expand STEAM opportunities to more students in Boston, such as:
We established the Vertex Science Leaders Scholarship in 2014 as a fully funded four-year scholarship, plus mentorship with a Vertex scientist and access to a college internship.
The scholarship is offered to students pursuing a STEAM degree at any University of Massachusetts campus.
Our partners at Bottom Line provide additional mentorship and support to scholars.
Hear from our scholarship recipients
For aspiring STEAM professionals, real-world lab experience is crucial—but can be hard to come by.
We’re proud to offer hands-on internships for eligible Boston high schoolers through our partnerships with the Private Industry Council and the Mayor's Summer Jobs Program.
Giving back to the San Diego community has always been in our DNA. We’re actively expanding our STEAM activities in the region.
Established in 2018, the San Diego Learning Lab is a 1,500-square-foot lab where students from the San Diego Unified School District can meet our scientists and conduct hands-on experiments.
Vertex and the Vertex Foundation support nonprofit organizations that help us expand STEAM opportunities to more students in San Diego, such as:
Our scientists in Oxford love welcoming students to the research site and are thrilled to expand their reach.
Coming soon! In 2020, we plan to establish a dedicated space to host our STEAM programs.
Vertex and the Vertex Foundation support nonprofit organizations that help us expand STEAM opportunities to more students in the region, such as:
We partner with STEM learning to support their ENTHUSE program, a two-year program combining teacher development with student activities to provide ongoing support to local schools.
Our support of Science Oxford enables students to explore their love of science and appreciate its positive influence on society.
Several of our scientists are SIP Ambassadors, part of a network of industry professionals who are trained to engage and inspire students to pursue careers in STEM.
Approximately 20 students from local schools join us onsite for a week in July to learn about the entire drug discovery process.
About a dozen university students join us for a full year, working alongside our scientists on real drug discovery projects.