September 11, 2007

United Way and the Science Community Honor Youth in Science

BOSTON– On September 11, two fledgling scientists were honored along side a leading biomedical executive at United Way’s 4 th Annual “Dream in Science” Luncheon.Ritshly Bissereth, age 11, and Tiffani Rice, age 10, accepted the 2007 Young Scientist Awards, and Dr. Mark Fishman, president of Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research accepted the Distinguished Community Partner Award for Novartis’s commitment to encouraging youth in the sciences.

Cambridge Mayor Kenneth Reeves and top executives from New England Healthcare Institute, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research spoke at the event, celebrating United Way’s Math, Science and Technology initiative (MSTi) and addressing the importance of promoting science-related fields to Massachusetts youth.

“Ritshly and Tiffani were selected for the Young Scientist Awards because throughout the program they demonstrated the intellectual curiosity, inquisitiveness and enthusiasm that drives true scientists,” said Chris O’Keeffe, Vice President of Community Impact at United Way. “I am certain that, with the positive attitude they bring and their continued hard work they will both go far.“

In 2004, United Way launched MSTi as a collaboration among the leaders of science and technology-related industries, and the State. MSTi sparks interest in the sciences by investing in high-quality out-of-school time programming that helps prepare youth for academic and career success. The program connects students with labs and companies, allowing them to participate in hands-on “science clubs” and learn directly from the region’s industry experts. This year, science clubs have been established at nearly 20 sites throughout Greater Boston and have reached roughly 300 children in grades three through seven.

“My favorite part about the [Math, Science and Technology] program is the experiments. I really like dissecting things. One time we dissected a cow’s heart and it was really cool to see how different animals have different sizes and shapes of hearts,” said award recipient Tiffani Rice, student at the Donovan Extended Day Program in Randolph. “I want to be a pediatrician. I really like kids and I want to help them stay healthy.”

“I like science because you can invent anything you want,” said award recipient Ritshly Bissereth, who is in his third year as an MSTi student at the Frisoli Youth Center in Cambridge. “I think I would like to be a scientist or a doctor. They are always learning new things and helping people.”

Both students participated in the “Muscles, Lungs, Blood, and Guts,” curriculum this year. During the event, Tiffani conducted a demonstration from that curriculum on the human heartbeat.