In October 2012, Johnson & Johnson, in partnership with Cordis, Bay Area Biotechnology Education Consortium (BABEC), Newark Memorial High School, Mission Valley ROP, Ohlone College, and Santa Clara University, kicked-off the BTE-Fremont, California. Core program activities – centered on Academic Enrichment, Career Readiness & Exploration, and Higher Education Exploration and Preparation experiences – included:
- Academic Tutoring / Peer Mentoring by students enrolled at Santa Clara University or Ohlone College.
- Company Tours showcased various careers in the health care and STEM fields; industry volunteers provided students with opportunities to discuss different career options.
- Field Trips: Informal enrichment opportunities, such as visiting local science museums, helped bridge the socio-economic and ethnic gap of access to STEM programming outside of the classroom.
- Biotech Boot Camp: A week long, skill-building science camp. The Camp is focused on “everyday” science and its linkages to STEM and health careers.
- Summer Internships. Up to five students per year participated in a six-week summer internship program; students worked with an intern supervisor to complete a science-based project; students will be required to complete a poster / PowerPoint presentation of their work.
- College Tours with university undergrads as tour guides gave BTE students opportunities to sit in on a science lecture and lab class, and discuss the keys to succeeding in college.
- College Prep Lectures brought experts to the Newark community with free public lectures such as Road to College, Selecting the Right College for You, College Financial Aid, and Completing the FAFSA Form.
- College Prep Workshops included SAT Prep Course, college selection, college entrance testing, financial aid and writing workshops for college application essays; All workshops were delivered by a “college prep” professional and complement what the school counselors provide.
