July 9, 2025
Ferris State, BAMF Health, Kent ISD expand partnership to accelerate high schoolers’ path toward innovative STEM careers
Following a successful pilot program in 2024, Ferris State University is growing its partnership with BAMF Health and Kent Intermediate School District to give West Michigan high school students hands-on experience in emerging STEM fields while they earn college credit.
The second annual FutureSolve initiative is a six-week internship program that runs through July 17 for student participants interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and related fields. The students are researching real-world problems experienced by BAMF staff and using design thinking principles to help develop solutions.
For 2025, the cohort has expanded from 16 interns to 27 and will include junior-level students as well as seniors. Students gain invaluable experience in their area of interest while helping advance BAMF’s cutting-edge work to detect and treat disease using the most advanced theranostic imaging technology in existence.
Students will share what they have been learning at a presentation and celebration event at the Collaborative Lab in Comstock Park on Thursday, July 17 from 9 a.m. to noon.
“I am inspired to work with a new group of students as we embark on the second year of our program,” said Andy McLean, Manager of External Relations with BAMF Health. “This transformative event empowers high schoolers to explore diverse career paths in STEM and healthcare marketing and IT, fostering the next generation of innovators by bridging education and industry. Last year ignited a passion for precision medicine in the rising seniors who participated, and I fully anticipate the same for this year’s group!”
All participants will be enrolled in a three-credit course through Ferris State University focused on applied research and problem-solving. Students’ experiences will be based at the University’s Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, with daily excursions to BAMF’s nearby facilities and other connected organizations in the city.
To help offset the loss of potential summer employment income, each student will receive a stipend in recognition of their investment in learning and growth.
“Here in West Michigan, we have an extraordinary opportunity to connect students to industries and organizations that are shaping our region, our state, and our world,” said Gayle DeBruyn, KCAD professor and Collaborative Design program chair. “We’re excited to grow our partnership with BAMF and continue to provide experiential learning opportunities that inspire young people to be the collaborators, innovators, and leaders of the future.”
The Kent ISD provides 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 in Kent County.
Participating 2025 students attend Kent Career Tech Center, East Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kelloggsville Public Schools, Kentwood Public Schools, and Rockford Public Schools.
“FutureSolve25 is an exciting opportunity for collaboration between K-12 education, higher education, and local business that provides high school students with invaluable experience and exposure to the real world of work in an innovative way,” said Ryan Graham, KISD director of Workforce Development.
The students, who were Identified by educators or encouraged to apply, share a strong interest in STEM, a desire to be change agents, and a drive to expand their knowledge and career horizons.
FutureSolve 2025 continues the strategic partnership forged between BAMF Health and Ferris State University in early 2024 to support Michigan’s rapidly growing theranostics field with the next generation of homegrown talent. The initiative is the first in a planned series of opportunities aimed at fueling industry-specific talent development across the state.