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Supporting education

GSK supports education in the UK and US with a particular emphasis on developing scientific literacy and encouraging the next generation of scientists.

During 2004 our programmes focused on inspiring children to take an interest in science and improving science teaching.

Science education in the UK
GSK is supporting the INSPIRE (INnovative Scheme for Post-doctoral researchers In Research and Education) scheme, developed in partnership with Imperial College London and the Specialist Schools Trust, with a £1 million ($1.8 million) donation over four years. INSPIRE aims to raise achievement by placing post-doctoral researchers in specialist science schools to train as teachers and support science teaching.

We also gave £100,000 ($183,000) to support Science Across the World, an international education programme that enables school children in more than 100 countries to discuss science issues over the internet.

Bio-Bubble is a giant, inflatable model of a human cell, developed by the Edinburgh International Science Festival and sponsored by GSK. During 2004, the Bio-Bubble toured schools across the UK with two science shows helping young people to learn about biology in a fun environment.

GSK has committed £1 million ($1.8 million) over four years to help build the new Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum in London, that will enable better display of the museum’s important collection.

Education in the US
A three year grant of $300,000 (£164,000) ) from GSK is helping the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to increase the number of science teachers in the North Carolina and Philadelphia areas.

Science in the Summer, a free library-based science education programme in Philadelphia received a grant of $365,000 (£199,000). Now in its 19th year, Science in the Summer has reached over 68,000 children.

Not all our support is focused on science education. We also provide more general support to help improve overall education standards. For example GSK gave a grant of $129,000 (£70,000) to the Philadelphia Education Fund for the ‘Middle Grade Matters’ campaign to improve education for children aged 11-16.

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