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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Sixteen high school seniors are gaining hands-on experience in an emerging science field and earning college credits at no cost through a new summer program in Grand Rapids.
The new FutureSolve initiative is a six-week program focused on research and problem-solving that began June 10. Kent County students interested in careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields will gain real-world experience in these fields, according to Ferris State University.
Teens who complete the program will receive three college credits from Ferris State University.
The summer program is a partnership between Ferris State University, the Kent Middle School District and BAMF Health, a Grand Rapids-based company called BAMF (Bold Advanced Medical Future) that uses high-tech imaging technology to detect and treat cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and more.
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The project-based program aims to prepare high school students for high-demand STEM careers by immersing them in real-world experience and training.
“To continue to change the future of healthcare, we believe we need to inform students of their career options now and prepare them for the high-demand jobs of the future,” said Andy MacLean, program development manager at BAMF Health.
During the program, students will spend the first half of their day at BAMF Health (headquarters: Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building, 109 Michigan St. NW) and the second half at Ferris State’s Kendall College of Art and Design (17 Fountain St. NW).
The program employs a project-based curriculum in which students work together to solve real-world problems.
According to the announcement, BAMF Health leaders brainstormed 10 projects that students would work on during the six-week program. While at KCAD, the students will learn about design thinking principles and collaborate to solve business problems posed by BAMF Health.
“BAMF Health’s transformative methodology highlights how design thinking can bring about meaningful change in interdisciplinary fields like healthcare,” Tara McCrackin, dean of Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design, said in a statement. “This is a fantastic partnership and we are confident it will inspire students to explore new ways to work together to develop effective solutions to challenges.”
The first 16 students to participate come from East Kentwood, Grand Rapids Public and East Grand Rapids school districts. Students selected for the program have demonstrated an interest in exploring STEM-related careers and were encouraged or selected by their school leaders to participate in the program.
Ferris State University officials said students who participate in the program will be offered scholarships as part of an effort to reduce financial barriers for students who forgo summer jobs.
The FutureSolve program is part of a broader partnership between Ferris State University and BAMF Health to provide students with in-demand skills in science and technology fields.
Leaders from both agencies signed the agreement in March 2024, committing to working together to explore ways to expand and strengthen Michigan’s workforce.
The goal of the partnership is to support the growing theranostics field in the state by providing in-demand skills for Ferris State students and continuing education opportunities for BAMF Health employees, according to a Ferris State news release.
Generally speaking, theranostics refers to the combination of diagnostics and therapeutics to treat various cancers, including breast and prostate cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
The partnership will include quality control/assurance, regulatory affairs, creating a certification program for nuclear medicine technologists, creating training and research opportunities for students, and looking at ways to improve the patient experience and mindset of the program.
Additionally, BAMF Health plans to partner with Ferris State University’s College of Pharmacy and other programs to train current employees and work with Ferris State students looking to enter the field.
Ferris State University leaders said FutureSolve will be the first of many opportunities to develop and train high school and college students across the state.
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