In an effort to promote careers in the healthcare industry, Centocor Biologics, in partnership with the East Central Missouri AHEC, St. Louis University and McClure South-Berkeley (MSB) High School, provided a variety of academic enrichment and applied learning opportunities to at-risk youth through the BTE-St. Louise program.
25 students were selected to attend “Camp Centocor 2008”—a five-day summer experience that was the centerpiece of the BTE-St. Louis Program. Camp Centocor involved a Johnson & Johnson Credo workshop, team-building exercises with Centocor mentors, company tours, hands-on science labs, and math/science enrichment activities, as well as events at St. Louis University Practical Anatomy Lab, the St. Louis Science Center, and the Genome Center.
During the 2008-2009 school year, students participated in an after-school BTE club with presentations by health care professionals on various careers, career exploration activities, and community service activities relating to health careers. Students also recorded and showcased all BTE activities in a Missouri Connections Portfolio, which included an individual career plan and a personal plan of study.
Camp Centocor 2009 centered on academic workshops (effective study habits, successful test taking skills, Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens), vocational/skill assessments and interest inventories, as well as hands-on math and science labs.
In 2010, Camp Centocor activities focused on boosting academic performance and interest in higher education through ACT Prep, college visits and tours, and college/financial-aid application assistance. Year 3 activities continued the higher education theme, as well as incorporated health-related community service activities.
