PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Public Schools (PPS) and the Central Berkshire Regional School District (CBRS) were both awarded Education and Workforce Development Grants through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC).

 

PPS was awarded  $36,000, and CBRSD was awarded $17,843. CBRSD was also awarded part of a $362,404 grant through the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd). This amount was shared with schools from Medford, Milford, Montague, Stoughton, Somerville and Granby.     

 

"Our life sciences industry is one of the biggest reasons Massachusetts continues to lead in innovation and economic opportunity," said Governor Maura Healey. "These investments will prepare more students for high-demand careers, strengthen our workforce and ensure companies can continue growing and creating jobs right here in Massachusetts." 

 

A total of 68 awards, totaling $12.3 million, will support more than 400 public schools, colleges, and non-profit organizations across Massachusetts through four tracks: Elementary and Secondary Education, Out-of-School Time (OST), Post-secondary Education and Training, and "Gamechanger" matching grants. Together, these investments will expand access to hands-on life sciences education, OST learning opportunities, industry-aligned certificate and degree programs, and transformational workforce development initiatives that strengthen Massachusetts' life sciences talent pipeline and prepare learners for careers in the life sciences. 

 

Since the inception of the Life Sciences Initiative, the MLSC has invested more than $240 million through various programs supporting education and workforce training that strengthens the state's life sciences talent pipeline. These investments have supported more than 478 public schools, 30 nonprofit organizations, and 65 colleges and universities across all 14 Massachusetts counties and every Gateway City, expanding access to life sciences learning opportunities and training initiatives for residents in the state.  

 

The MLSC awarded 23 grants totaling over $2.4 million through the Elementary and Secondary Education track to support more than 170 public schools across Massachusetts. The funding will provide hands-on/applied learning for students in grades 3-12 while supporting professional development for approximately 680 teachers. These grants enable the purchase of life sciences equipment, materials, supplies, and technology that strengthen classroom instruction, build technical skills, and increase student awareness of career opportunities in the life sciences. 

 

The Berkshire Inovation Center also received an award Out-of-School Time Grants in the amount of $24,000.

 

Through the Out-of-School Time track, the MLSC is awarding nearly $600,000 to 21 nonprofit organizations that provide life sciences programming beyond the traditional school day. The funding will help K-12 students located in under-resourced communities build upon classroom learning through hands-on educational experiences, build technical and professional skills, engage with state-of-the-art life sciences tools and technologies, and explore career opportunities in the industry.