June 18, 2024
Ferris State, BAMF Health, and Kent ISD launch program to introduce high school seniors to STEM careers, earn college credit
Ferris State University is partnering with BAMF Health and Kent ISD to give 16 rising high school seniors hands-on experience in emerging science fields and college credit.
The inaugural FutureSolve initiative is a six-week program where seniors interested in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics gain real-world exposure to science, engineering, and technology. "All students are enrolled in a three-credit course through Ferris State University. The course focuses on research and problem solving.
Leaders at BAMF Health brainstormed 10 projects for students to work on over the six weeks. This exposes students to an exciting and innovative company in their community and allows them to work within their field of interest to make a real impact. Each day, students spend the first half of the day at BAMF Health and the second half at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University.
“The power of public-private partnership is alive and well in Grand Rapids, and FutureSolve is a great example,” said Andy McLean, program development manager for BAMF Health. “We know that to continue to change the future of healthcare, students must be exposed to career options now to prepare them for the high-demand jobs of tomorrow.”
The Grand Rapids-based BAMF Health is the world’s first vertically integrated platform for intelligence-based precision medicine. BAMF employs the most advanced theranostic imaging technology to detect and treat cancer and other diseases and conduct advanced clinical trials.
Participating students come from East Kentwood, Grand Rapids Public, and East Grand Rapids school districts. They were either encouraged to enter the program or selected by their school leaders. These students have expressed an interest in STEM topics, desire to learn more, and want to explore career options. Because many of these students must forfeit a summer job to participate, each one is given a stipend in honor of their commitment to education.
During students’ time at KCAD, they will learn more about design-thinking principles and collaborate to solve the business problems proposed by BAMF Health.
"BAMF Health's transformative methodology underscores how design thinking can drive meaningful change across multidisciplinary fields like medicine," said Tara McCrackin, president of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. "This is a fantastic partnership, and I know it will inspire students to look at new ways to collaborate and develop impactful solutions to challenges."
The Kent Intermediate School District is a regional educational service agency devoted to achievement for all students. We provide instructional and administrative services to more than 300 schools, 20 public districts, three non-public districts, and many public school academies and non-public schools
“FutureSolve is an exciting opportunity for collaboration between K-12 education, higher education, and local business that will provide high school students with invaluable experience and exposure to the real world of work in a new way,” said Sue Gardner, Kent ISD Assistant Superintendent of Career and Talent Development.
The FutureSolve initiative is also representative of the strategic partnership forged between BAMF Health and Ferris State University in early 2024. Both institutions pledged to support the growing Theranostics field in Michigan by developing the next-generation workforce to live and work in their home state. FutureSolve will be the first of many opportunities to develop and train high school and higher ed students across the state.
Students who successfully complete the six-week program including earning a C or higher in their Ferris course will be eligible to receive the FerrisNext Scholarship if they attend Ferris after high school. The FerrisNext Scholarship is $1,000 a year and is renewable for up to four years. This scholarship stacks on top of other financial aid and scholarships and recognizes the efforts of students who earn college credits from Ferris while they are in high school.