Cambridge Science Festival Announces Statewide Year-Round Science Outreach Initiative: Biogen Idec Foundation Science on the Street

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Cambridge Science Festival (CSF) today announced “Biogen Idec Foundation Science on the Street,” a new statewide, year-round outreach initiative to bring engaging science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) demonstrations and activities to thousands of people annually. Biogen Idec Foundation Science on the Street will make STEM more accessible and fun through inspiring researchers and innovators taking part in arts, cultural, and community events throughout Massachusetts.

“Biogen Idec Foundation Science on the Street allows us to take leading-edge science being worked in labs and centers at MIT, Harvard, Biogen Idec, and throughout the Cambridge area, and bring that directly into communities in every corner of the state.”

“It’s important that we don’t only celebrate science where it’s already flourishing,” said John R. Durant, Executive Director of the Cambridge Science Festival and Director of the MIT Museum. “Biogen Idec Foundation Science on the Street allows us to take leading-edge science being worked in labs and centers at MIT, Harvard, Biogen Idec, and throughout the Cambridge area, and bring that directly into communities in every corner of the state.”

Thanks to the generosity of lead funder Biogen Idec Foundation, all outreach bookings are free for the community organizations. Biogen Idec Foundation has awarded the Cambridge Science Festival a $250,000 grant to fund Biogen Idec Foundation Science on the Street.

“This grant underscores the Foundation’s commitment to enhancing STEM education in our communities,” said Tony Kingsley, Chairman, Biogen Idec Foundation. “Our hope is to excite and inspire the next generation of innovators and scientists by sparking curiosity and exposing children to new ideas and challenges.”

Biogen Idec Foundation Science on the Street is an initiative of the Cambridge Science Festival, a 10-day STEM celebration that now serves as a model for festivals across the United States and beyond. In Cambridge alone, CSF engages more than 50,000 people through more than 100 different activities and events. The sixth annual festival, held this past April, once again brought together school groups, biotechnology companies, academic science outreach coordinators, engineering clubs, and more. As happens every year, attendees made new discoveries, and fresh collaborations were sparked among participants.

Biogen Idec Foundation Science on the Street has been piloted at a number of community events, including Cambridge’s Caribbean Festival, the El Planeta Health and Family Expo in Roxbury, Camp Miracles and Magic for HIV-positive kids in Hubbardston, the Boston Public School Back-to-School Jamboree, and the Boston Public Schools 6^th grade orientation at Fenway Park, to name a few. In every case, the Science of the Street team has been invited back to inspire, engage and make exciting STEM accessible to all.

The Cambridge Science Festival and Biogen Idec Foundation will be onsite at the AAAS Family Science Days conference on Saturday, February 16 offering educational demonstrations from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Hynes Convention Center.

About The Cambridge Science Festival

The Cambridge Science Festival is a celebration showcasing the leading edge in science, technology, engineering and math. A multifaceted, multicultural event every spring, the Cambridge Science Festival makes science accessible, interactive and fun for everyone! Our founding collaborators are MIT, Harvard University, the City of Cambridge, and the Museum of Science Boston. Our generous 2013 sponsors include MIT, Biogen Idec Foundation, The City of Cambridge, Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Alnylam, The National Science Foundation, Harvard University, Cambridge Community Foundation, Amgen, Boston University, Draper Laboratory, IBM, MathWorks, and MIT's Lincoln Labs.

About the Biogen Idec Foundation, Inc.

The Biogen Idec Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of peoples' lives and contribute to the vitality of the communities in which the company operates, with a special emphasis on innovative ways to promote science literacy and encourage young people to consider science careers. Additional information about the Biogen Idec Foundation can be found at: http://www.biogenidec.com/citizenship_biogen_idec_foundation.html.

About Biogen Idec

Through cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen Idec discovers, develops and delivers to patients worldwide innovative therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, hemophilia and autoimmune disorders. Founded in 1978, Biogen Idec is the world’s oldest independent biotechnology company. Patients worldwide benefit from its leading multiple sclerosis therapies, and the company generates more than $5 billion in annual revenues. For product labeling, press releases and additional information about the company, please visit www.biogenidec.com.