J&J Local Partner

Johnson & Johnson Ortho Clinical Diagnostics (OCD)

Community Partner

  • Junior Achievement de Panamá – Coordinating Entity
  • Jose Dolores Moscote Institute
  • University of Panamá

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Building on successful BTE programs South America and Puerto Rico, Johnson & Johnson, Junior Achievement, the University of Panamá, and José Dolores Moscote Institute (middle grades and high school) launched the BTE-Panamá program in January 2012. To increase the number of students enrolling in tertiary education and pursuing health careers, the program widened and complemented school offerings and provided healthcare-focused programs to 50 students from 10th grade enrolled at José Dolores Moscote Institute in the 2012 school year.  BTE program activities included:
  • Academic Tutoring. University students recruited by Junior Achievement provided academic support to BTE students.
  • Service Learning. Students created artwork or video clips to promote diabetes awareness and prevention. This activity helped the students recall the concepts they learned about diabetes, biochemistry, and the endocrine system, as well as learn about creative approaches to develop, deliver, and disseminate knowledge, particularly to those most at risk of developing diabetes now or in the future.
  • Personal Finance & Career Lectures. Professional advisors provided practical information about personal finance and demonstrated the economic benefits of staying in school. BTE students gained information from IFARHU (governmental institution who offer scholarships and soft loans to Panamanian students in order to afford their education). In addition, the University of Panama informed BTE students about the different programs and degrees offered at the University. The importance of identifying education and career goals based on values, interest and student’s skills was also discussed.
  • University Tours. BTE students participated in tours of the University of Panamá facilities.
  • Tutoring for University Exam. Teachers from the University of Panamá (medicine faculty) offered classes to BTE students on Saturdays, strengthening students’ knowledge in biology, physics, chemistry and mathematics.
  • Work Readiness Sessions. Students learned the “16 Success Skills” and demonstrated high-level work readiness skills, including communication, professionalism, work etiquette, resume writing and interviewing, among others. The sessions culminated with students applying their new skills in a team-based project and presentation centered on the history of Johnson & Johnson (J&J), its products, and consumer assumptions.
  • Tours & Job Shadowing. BTE students toured several health-related workplaces, including Johnson & Johnson and Panamanian Hospitals, in order to become familiar with various health care careers. BTE students also spent a day "shadowing" J&J employees.