Campbell University STEM Programs Inspire Next Generation of Pharmaceutical Researchers and Healthcare Innovators
核心洞察
Campbell University's College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences hosted two immersive STEM programs for high school students, including a three-day STEM Camp with 53 participants and the weeklong BIOS2 residential program.
BIOS2, funded by a Burroughs Wellcome Fund (搜索) grant, offered hands-on experiences in PCR, drug discovery, and a Pfizer facility visit, removing financial barriers for students from rural and underrepresented communities.
The High School STEM Camp featured chromatography experiments, clinical research simulations, and engineering design challenges to demonstrate real-world applications of pharmaceutical sciences.
Campbell University is taking direct aim at the STEM workforce gap by immersing high school students in authentic pharmaceutical and clinical research experiences. Through two complementary programs — the High School STEM Camp and the BIOS2 residential enrichment initiative — the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, in collaboration with the School of Engineering, introduced students from across North Carolina to careers in science, technology, engineering, and healthcare.
The High School STEM Camp drew 53 participants for a three-day program designed to spark curiosity through hands-on engagement. Students performed chromatography experiments in research laboratories, tackled a Clinical Research escape room that taught the role of clinical trials in advancing healthcare, and completed engineering design challenges including chassis construction and nano bug track building.
"Our goal is to show students that science is something you experience, not just something you study," said Mike Gallagher, director of Pharmaceutical & Clinical Sciences. "By giving them opportunities to work in our labs, collaborate with their peers and solve authentic challenges, we hope they leave with greater confidence, curiosity and a better understanding of the many career opportunities available in STEM."
The BIOS2 program — Biotechnology, Inquiry, Outreach and STEM² — offered a more intensive, weeklong residential experience from May 31 through June 4 for rising ninth through 12th grade students. Participants engaged in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments, drug discovery exercises, pipetting, agar art, rapid manufacturing projects, and rocket design and launch challenges.
A centerpiece of the BIOS2 experience was a full-day visit to Pfizer, where students gained firsthand exposure to careers in the life sciences industry and observed how scientific discoveries transition from laboratory research to large-scale manufacturing. The program also included a visit to Campbell University's Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine and an alumni panel discussion on educational pathways across STEM disciplines.
Dr. Vanessa Ayer-Miller, assistant professor of Pharmaceutical & Clinical Sciences and lead faculty member for BIOS2, emphasized the program's broader mission. "BIOS2 is designed to help students discover the many opportunities available in STEM fields while building confidence through hands-on learning," she said. "By allowing students to experience these disciplines firsthand, we hope to inspire them to pursue careers that will make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond."
The BIOS2 program was made possible through grant funding from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (搜索), which supports the expansion of STEM outreach opportunities for high school students, particularly those from rural and historically underrepresented communities. All activities — including housing, meals, laboratory supplies, and educational programming — were fully covered, removing financial barriers to participation.
Both programs reflect Campbell University's commitment to strengthening North Carolina's future STEM workforce. By combining laboratory investigations, clinical research simulations, engineering challenges, and direct mentorship from faculty and student mentors, the initiatives provide meaningful, hands-on experiences that bring STEM education to life and introduce students to fields they may not have previously considered.